Temperature‐induced compensatory growth in the nematode <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> is regulated by a thermosensitive <scp>TRP</scp> channel and influences reproductive rate

Animals are often not growing at the maximum rate, but can compensate for a bad start of life by subsequently increasing growth rate. While this compensatory is widespread, its direct fitness consequences seldom investigated and genetic basis unknown. We regulation, as well lifespan in response to temperature, using C. elegans knockout thermo-sensitive TRP ion channel TRPA-1, involved temperature recognition. exposed juvenile worms cold, favourable (intermediate) or warm temperatures order delay speed up development. Wild-type initially cold experienced slower after being switched more they expressed caught size. Those reared warmer than attained smaller adult size most temperature. Compensatory also altered reproductive schedule. rate-sensitive individual decreased temperatures, effect substantial developmental delay, once returned shifted their schedule towards early reproduction. Therefore, when focusing on post-treatment period, rate increased even though lifetime success was unaffected. Surprisingly, did reduce lifespan. In contrast findings wild-type worms, induce slowed-down trpa-1 mutants. thus show that network regulating temperature-induced influence