@article{fdi:010064608,
  title = {{E}cology of {G}ordian knots in natural conditions},
  author = {{D}aoust, {S}. {P}. and {S}chatz, {B}. and {M}iss{\'e}, {D}oroth{\'e}e and {T}homas, {F}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he ecology of {G}ordian knots aggregates of entwined reproductive individuals of nematomorphs, or hair worms remains poorly understood. {W}e studied the ecology of {G}ordian knots in a wild population of the hair worm {P}aragordius tricuspidatus sampled from a stream near {M}ontpellier, {F}rance, in 2005 and 2006. {A}t our study site, knots were composed entirely of males. {T}he number of adults per knot varied throughout the summer, most likely due to the seasonal decrease in stream water level and the appearance of females later in the season. {T}he average length of individual worms in each knot did not change significantly over time, but it became significantly more variable. {W}e also showed that knots within these streams were more likely to be attached to floating rather than immobile substrates. {B}ecause the water levels in our sampling stream decrease as the season progresses, males in knots attached to floating substrates could be in a better position to cope with decreasing water levels, as they always remain immersed. {A}n important avenue of future study would be to explore the effects of varying water level and the presence of females on the size and maintenance of knots in laboratory conditions.},
  keywords = {{H}orsehair worm ; nematomorpha ; {P}aragordius tricuspidatus ; {FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{I}nvertebrate {B}iology},
  volume = {131},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {294--300},
  ISSN = {1077-8306},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1111/ivb.12000},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010064608},
}