Design of the predatory legs of water bugs (Hemiptera: Nepidae, Naucoridae, Notonectidae, Gerridae).

Abstract

Functional comparative morphology of predatory legs in five species of water bugs (Ilyocoris cimicoides, Nepa cinerea, Ranatra linearis, Notonecta glauca, and Gerris lacustris) has been investigatd adn the following peculiarities of leg design were revealed. 1 Subcoxal articulation may be monoaxial (G. lacustris, N. glauca), or, in contrast to walking leg type, biaxial (N. cinerea, R. linearis, I. cimicoides); the first axis is oriented along the coxa (torsion axis), the second one is perpendicular to the first (non-torsion axis). 2 In contrast to walking leg type, which is characterized by cross suspension of the axis of coxal rotation in thoracal skeleton, this axis in G. lacustris is placed vertically. Non-torsion coxal axis in R. linearis is oriented strongly transversal. This axis directs the leg strike forward. 3 Legs in the majority of species are planar: Torsion axes of the coxa, femur, and tibia are placed in the same plane. Axes of rotation of consequent joints in I. cimicoides are reciprocally sloped. Therefore, the end of the leg outlines the spiral trajectory, when all angles of joints are opening (closing). This is an adaptation for clinging to the stems of water plants. 4 Passive adduction of the femur in the trochanter-femoral joint in N. glauca allows it to go around protuberances of the body wall, when the leg is sliding along them; recurrent femur movement during releasing from the obstacele is active due to the rt.fe muscle. 5 Only R. linearis has predatory legs, which permit the high-speed pursuit of potential prey; other species realize this function using the swimming legs, whereas the forelegs are used for the manipulation movements. 6 Muscle arrangement in the prothorax of different species reflects both leg construction and constructional constraints of body design. Powerful flexor muscles (co1, co2, co3, co5, fl.ti, et.ti in R. linearis; fl.ta, fl.ti in N. glauca; fl.ti in I. cimicoides) have long tendons and short muscle bundles, which originate on the leg wall. As a result, the powerful force is developed along the muscle tendon. 7 Some features of the predatory leg are common for the species studies: elongation of coxae, thickening of femora, and increase of the degree of junction of tibia and tarsus. The muscles, which move the distal segment of the leg, are reinforced and the sclerite of the fl.ti tendon is enlarged. The joint angle of the distal segment is increased to 120°. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.