Recipes for successful anhydrobiosis in bdelloid rotifers

We tested the effect of several environmental variables on the ability of t hree bdelloid rotifers (Macrotrachela quadricornifera, Philodina roseola an d Adineta oculata) to recover from the anhydrobiotic state. The variables w e examined were (1) rate of water evaporation, (2) relative humidity during anhydrobiosis, (3) temperature during anhydrobiosis, (4) duration of anhyd robiosis, and (5) rehydration rate. Our results indicate that bdelloids can regulate to some degree net water balance during onset and termination of anhydrobiosis.