Discovery of swimming larvae in Elmidae (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea). Issue 1 (25th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayashi, Masakazu; Sota, Teiji
• Is Part Of: Entomological science. Volume 22:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2018-09-25
• Subjects: aquatic beetle -- body shape -- mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I -- nuclear 28S rRNA; Insects -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1111/ens.12333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1343-8786

Abstract

Abstract: The aquatic larvae of the family Elmidae (Coleoptera) have been considered unable to swim because they lack swimming setae on their body and legs. We discovered that riffle beetle larvae ( Leptelmis gracilis Sharp) are in fact able to swim. After opening the tuft‐like gills on the last abdominal segment they swim by repeatedly bending the abdomen into a U‐shape very quickly and in a wavy manner, while their head and thorax move anteriorly, resulting in a sigmoidal body shape. The flat bodies of L. gracilis larvae could be advantageous for swimming compared to the cylindrical or semicylindrical bodies of larvae in related genera. Abstract : The aquatic larvae of the family Elmira have been considered unable to swim. We discovered that the larvae, Leptelmis gracilis (Sharp), can swim.