When the temperature drops, certain creatures enter a dormant state and hibernate. Diapause, on the other hand, is a dormant state most commonly observed in insects in which the insect’s growth is temporarily halted. Several species go dormant in order to survive periodic adversities such as environmental changes, food scarcity, temperature fluctuations, and so on. It is a state in which the body of the organism has little or no metabolic activity. Dormancy is a temporary state in which an animal’s physical activity, growth, and development are halted. This allows the organisms to conserve energy by going dormant or sleeping during the difficult period. The type of dormancy varies between organisms.
What is Diapause?
Diapause is a common occurrence in the early stages of insect development. It is a condition in which an organism’s development is slowed due to a decrease in metabolic activity. It is a stage in which growing organisms’ development is halted. It can occur at any stage of the insect’s life cycle, but it is most common during the pupa stage.
Diapause is characterised by a decrease in the body’s production of growth hormones. It is thus similar to hibernation, but it is distinguished by a pause in the developmental stages of the organism.
What is Hibernation?
Hibernation is a state in which the body of an organism has the least amount of metabolic activity. Hibernation is a seasonal state characterised by low body temperature, decreased cardiac activity, and decreased metabolic rate, among other characteristics. It can be seen in some endotherms during the winter. During this time, hibernating creatures enter a state similar to deep slumber, slowing their metabolism and burning less energy.
Hibernation causes the body to slow down its respiration, temperature, and other energy-consuming processes. It is primarily a body response to a lack of food and a cold environment. They could last from a few weeks to several months. Groundhogs, for example, spend the majority of their time in hibernation. Examples include polar bears, bats, ground squirrels, and other animals. To hibernate, animals must consume as much food as possible. They eat more and store more fat, which is then broken down to allow them to survive during hibernation.
Examples of Diapause and Hibernation
Diapause: Diapause is observed in insects such as monarch butterflies as well as in the embryos of several oviparous fish species.
Hibernation: Hibernation is found in mammals such as the California pocket mouse and the kangaroo mouse, as well as bears, bats, squirrels, some bird species, and some reptiles.
Difference between Diapause and Hibernation
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S.NO |
Diapause |
Hibernation |
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1. |
Diapause is a temporary state of dormancy characterised by a pause in an organism’s growth and development, most commonly an insect. |
Hibernation is the process by which an organism’s metabolic activity slows down in order to withstand cold temperatures, which occurs most commonly during the winter. |
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2. |
It happens in both the summer and the winter, implying that it can happen at any time of year. |
Hibernation occurs as a result of harsh environmental conditions and food scarcity, which is especially common during the winter. |
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3. |
It is a dormant period in the feeding and development of an organism. |
It is a state of inactivity in adult endothermic creatures. |
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4. |
Although the temperature does not drop as much, the amount of free water does. |
Hibernation has a lower temperature than diapause and can reach 0 ° C. With free water, there is no adaptation. |
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5. |
The primary cause of diapause in insects is that the species’ development is delayed in order to survive in unfavourable conditions, such as a lack of growth hormones due to day and night patterns. |
Hibernation, on the other hand, is intended primarily to help animals survive harsh winters by putting them into a deep sleep and slowing the rate at which the body loses energy. |
Similarities between Diapause and Hibernation
- Diapause and hibernation occur in a variety of mammalian and insect species.
- Diapause and hibernation both result in the animal adapting to extreme environmental conditions.
- Diapause and hibernation both prevent animals from dying as a result of environmental factors.
- During the winter, both diapause and hibernation occur.
Mechanism behind Hibernation
Ground squirrels’ metabolism slows and their body temperature drops to -2°C while hibernating. As their breathing slows, bats’ heart rates can drop from 400 to 11 beats per minute. Some cold-blooded creatures, such as wood frogs, produce natural antifreeze to protect themselves from being frozen solid.
Summer and autumn are the seasons when mammals eat the most in preparation for hibernation, storing fat to last them through the winter. There are some risks associated with hibernation as well, such as a lack of fat, harsh weather, or an early awakening, which can all cause animals to die during hibernation.
Conclusion
Diapause is a common occurrence in the early stages of insect development. It is a condition in which an organism’s development is slowed due to a decrease in metabolic activity. Diapause is characterised by a decrease in the body’s production of growth hormones. It is thus similar to hibernation, but it is distinguished by a pause in the developmental stages of the organism. Hibernation is a state in which the body of an organism has the least amount of metabolic activity. Diapause is observed in insects such as monarch butterflies as well as in the embryos of several oviparous fish species. Hibernation is a winter adaptation that causes mammals to become inactive and metabolically depressed. Diapause is another adaptation that causes a temporary halt in the growth and development processes of animals.