Comparing salinity tolerance in embryonic and larval development of two species of water strider, Aquarius paludum and Gerris latiabdominis (Hemiptera: Gerridae). (26th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kishi, Manabu; Harada, Tetsuo; Fujisaki, Kenji
• Is Part Of: Insect science. Volume 20:Number 4(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 524
• Page End: 530
• Publication Date: 2012-09-26
• Subjects: Insects -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01545.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1672-9609

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Water strider <italic>Aquarius paludum</italic> (Fabricius) is a cosmopolitan species colonizes mainly freshwater but occasionally brackish habitats throughout the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Water strider <italic>Gerris latiabdominis</italic> (Miyamoto) is a common species in Japan lives in temporary habitats as freshwater paddy fields. These two species often occur syntopically. We investigated differences in the developmental response to brackish water during embryonic and larval stages between the two species. Eggs were exposed to 0–1.8% NaCl solutions within 24 h of oviposition. Larvae of <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic> were exposed to salinities of 0, 0.5%, and 0.9% from the first instar until adult emergence. Limits of NaCl concentration for hatching were 1.3% and 1.0% for <italic>A. paludum</italic> and <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic>, respectively. The hatching rate of <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic> was lower than that of <italic>A. paludum</italic> at salinities ≥0.9%. The period of embryonic development of <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic> was more prolonged than that of <italic>A. paludum</italic> at a given salinity. Although the salinity tolerance of <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic> was lower than that of <italic>A. paludum</italic>, our results suggest <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic> has the physiological capacity to expand into brackish waters. High and low salinity tolerances of <italic>A. paludum</italic> and <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic>, respectively, reflect the relatively wide range of habitat salinities utilized by <italic>A. paludum</italic> and the relatively restricted habitats preferred by <italic>G. latiabdominis</italic>. The high salinity tolerance of <italic>A. paludum</italic> could be an important factor contributing to their cosmopolitan distribution because high tolerance to salinity means the possibility of them to be dispersed via ocean or sea to other continents and islands.</p> </abstract>