Which of the following is the stage of suspended development?

Options

A. Migration
B. Hibernation
C. Aestivation
D. Diapause

Answer

To determine which option represents a stage of suspended development, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Concept of Suspended Development**:
- Suspended development refers to a state where an organism slows down or halts its development in response to unfavorable environmental conditions. This allows the organism to survive until conditions improve.

2. **Identify Mechanisms of Survival**:
- Organisms have various mechanisms to cope with environmental changes, including:
- **Adaptation**: Modifications in morphology, physiology, or behavior.
- **Migration**: Moving to a more favorable environment.
- **Suspended Development**: Slowing down or halting development.

3. **Differentiate Between Active and Suspended States**:
- Migration is an active process where organisms are still metabolically active.
- Hibernation and estivation are forms of suspended development where organisms significantly reduce their metabolic activity.

4. **Examine the Options**:
- Look for examples of suspended development:
- **Hibernation**: A state of dormancy in winter.
- **Estivation**: A state of dormancy in summer to avoid heat.
- **Diapause**: A period of suspended development, often seen in zooplankton.

5. **Select the Correct Answer**:
- Among the options, **Diapause** is the correct answer as it specifically refers to a prolonged period of suspended development in response to unfavorable conditions.

### Final Answer:
The stage of suspended development is **Diapause**.

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