Possible existence of a common temperature and a common duration of development among members of a taxonomic group of arthropods that underwent spaciational adaptation to temperature.

Abstract

The parameters in the law of total effective temperature, the developmental zero temperature (t) and the effective cumulative temperature (k), were estimated in several species or strains of the family Tenebrionidae. It was shown that the relationship between t and k is linear; k decreases with increasing t. Similar relationships were noted among members of the genus Periplaneta in the family Blattidae, the genus Aedes in the family Culicidae, the family Pyralidae, the family Aphididae and the family Tetranychidae. Based on analysis among groups of orders or higher categories, several researchers have found a similar relationship. The current study on a family or a genus revealed a more rigorous linearity. However, the focus of this study was the linear relationship itself and it was discovered that the t-k relationships of members within each taxonomic group of arthropods determines a common temperature (Tc) and a common duration of development (Dc). This phenomenon was mathematically deducible as a consequence of the t-k linear relation. Biologically, Tc and Dc are probably the optimum temperature and duration of development, respectively, that a group of organisms possess in common.