Difference between Diapause and Hibernation

The main difference between diapause and hibernation is that diapause occurs in adverse conditions both during summer and winter, while hibernation occurs only in winter …

Diapause against hibernation

Diapause is the condition that occurs in both summer and winter, while hibernation is the condition that occurs only during winter. During diapause, the amount of free water is reduced, which is an adaptation in diapause, whereas this type of adaptation is not present in hibernation. During diapause, the temperature is not reduced further; on the other hand, in hibernation, the temperature drops to about 0 ^֯C. Diapause is the latent stage in the nutrition and development of an organism; on the contrary, hibernation is the state of inactivation in mature ectothermic organisms. In diapause, the development of the species is postponed to survive with the usual unfavorable conditions; conversely, hibernation helps animals escape harsh winters by making them sleep soundly. Diapause is common in insects such as monarch butterflies and in the embryos of many oviparous species of fish; On the other hand, hibernation occurs in mammals such as the California pocket mouse, kangaroo mouse, bears, bats, different species of birds, different insects, and reptiles.

Comparative chart

Diapause is defined as the state in an organism which undergoes to protect an animal from adverse conditions by creating a temporary pause in the processes of development and growth which acts as an adaptation for animals in diapause. Diapause is common in insects and as well as in mammals. The main objective of diapause is to protect an animal from extreme temperature and environmental conditions like droughts, low food availability, and winter. Diapause occurs in both summer and winter. This diapause could occur at any stage of life, but the main stage in which diapause is found prominent is the immobile stage of pupae. The level and stage of diapause changes according to the species, which means that the diapause could also occur at some active stages of the life of an adult that experience extensive migration such as an adult monarch butterfly. Diapause is generally accelerated with a decrement of bodily concentrations of molting and growth hormones. These variations correspond with physical changes like day length, availability of food, and the change of temperature. Diapause is the temporary consequence for a short time, unlike the hibernation. Diapause could be genetically determined, but there is a slight compute occurs to this theory which is if the animal is raised under favorable and constant conditions of environment and temperature.

Examples

Diapause is common in insects such as monarch butterflies and in the embryos of many oviparous species of fish.

What is hibernation?

Hibernation is generally defined as the state of metabolic depression of an organism to withstand extreme conditions during water. In hibernation, the metabolic activity of the animal is reduced to a greater extent by lowering the body temperature, which is an adaptation to withstand adverse temperature and environmental conditions during winter. This term of hibernation applies to all kinds of dormant conditions that vertebrate animals usually develop. Hibernation occurs in mammals that use burrows as hibernation habitats during winter. Hibernation also occurs in reptiles, but mammals and reptiles do not lower their body temperature, so they are not considered true hibernators. A true hibernator is an animal that spends most of its time during the winter in that near-death state. An animal may appear dead unless close observations are made. They lower their body temperature to about 0 ֯ C, and their respiratory rate becomes low, which is almost very few breaths per minute. The heart rate becomes barely noticeable with slow, gradual beats.

Hibernation occurs in mammals such as the California pocket mouse, kangaroo mouse, bears, bats, different species of birds, different insects, and reptiles.

Key differences

1. Diapause occurs in both summer and winter, while hibernation occurs only during winter.
2. The amount of free water is reduced during diapause, which is an adaptation in diapause, whereas there is no such type of adaptation in hibernation.
3. During diapause, the temperature does not drop further; on the other hand, in hibernation, the temperature drops to about 0 ^֯
4. Diapause is the inactive stage in the nutrition and development of an organism; on the contrary, hibernation is the state of inactivation in mature ectothermic organisms.
5. In diapause, the development of the species is postponed to survive under the usual unfavorable conditions; conversely, hibernation helps animals escape harsh winters by making them sleep soundly.
6. Diapause is present in insects such as monarch butterflies and in the embryos of many oviparous species of fish; On the other hand, hibernation takes place in mammals such as the California pocket mouse, kangaroo mouse, bears, bats, different species of birds, different insects and reptiles.

Final Thought

The above discussion concludes that diapause occurs under adverse conditions both during summer and winter and the temperature is not lowered to a greater extent, while hibernation occurs only in winter and the temperature is lowered to about 0 ^֯ C.