Abstract
Resistance to desiccation in larvae of eight species of aquatic, semiaquatic and terrestrial chironomids (Pseudodiamesa branickii, Macropelopia sp, Prodiamesa olivacea, Micropsectra sp., Chironomus riparius, Chironomus dorsalis, Metriocnemus martini and Camptocladius stercorarius) were studied. The larvae were desiccated in exicator at constant conditions (15 °C, 80% RH) and changes in moisture and body water content were recorded. The LD-50 for loss of body water was calculated. The lowest resistance to loss of body water displayed larvae from subfamilies Tanypodinae and Diamesinae Macropelopia sp. and P. branickii. They survived loss of 49.7 and 56.6% of original water content (presented values are LD-50). On the other hand the highest resistance to water loss was found in C. dorsalis. M. martini and C. stercorarius. The larvae of these species may survive loss of 67.4, 76.6 and 84.2% of original water content. Nevertheless the survival time under experimental conditions depends more closely on larval size that on lethal level of water loss. The smaller larvae desiccated faster and perished sooner than large ones despite they tolerate higher loss of body water.
Highlights
Desiccation of the environment is an important factor that may cause catastrophic extinction of chironomid larvae in some aquatic or even terrestrial habitats (McLachlan 1983; Delettre 1986)
The lowest resistance to loss of body water was found in larvae from subfamilies Tanypodinae and Diamesinae Macropelopia sp. and P. branickii; they survived loss of 49.7 and 56.6% of the original water content
On the other hand the highest resistance to water loss was found in C. stercorarius, M. martini and C. dorsalis; the larvae of these species may survive loss of 84.2, 72.6 and 67.4% of original water content
Summary
Desiccation of the environment is an important factor that may cause catastrophic extinction of chironomid larvae in some aquatic or even terrestrial habitats (McLachlan 1983; Delettre 1986). An extreme drought resistance was found in larvae of Polypedilum vanderplancki Hinton which can survive loss of 97% of water content of active larvae. At this stage the larvae can be kept in completely dry air and recovered even after 18 years, they survive exposure to temperatures from −270 °C to +120 °C. Which is the resistance to loss of water body in chironomid larvae that are not adapted for living in frequently desiccating environment? Does this resistance correspond to phylogenetic position of species or habitat of the larvae?
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