Abstract
This study, conducted during a scientific cruise, MR15-04, aims, first, to examine species and larval/adult components of Halobates (Heteroptera: Gerridae) inhabiting the tropical Indian Ocean of 4°00′ S–7°00′ S, 101°00′ E–103°00′ E and, second, to examine the correlative relationship between precipitation just before collection and the number of sea skaters collected in November and December 2015. Near Sumatra (50 km south-west), larvae and adults of four species of Halobates (Halobates germanes White, 1883; Halobates micans Eschscholtz, 1822; Halobates princeps White, 1883; undescribed species: Halobates sp.) were collected. Adults of an undescribed species had about a 5 mm long body in a gourd-like shape. One male adult specimen of H. princeps was collected. Body length, body width, and head width was measured in all specimens of Halobates. Six larval stages were detected in all three species of sea skaters as the first finding for Heteropteran insects. There was a negative correlation between amount of precipitation for 19 h before collection and the number of Halobates individuals collected by the neuston net. Death or (positive or passive) sinking by sea skaters could be due to occasional rain fall on the sea surface.
Highlights
Many great voyages have been launched to explore the oceans and what lies beyond, as they have always held a great fascination for us
Reviewing the results of seven sea skater samplings performed in the tropical to subtropical Pacific Ocean and tropical Indian Ocean, Halobates micans were exclusively dominant in the tropical
In the tropical Pacific Ocean in the lower latitude area of 10◦ S–10◦ N, not H. micans but H. germanus occupied the area near the islands even in the lower latitude area (Table 1 (D-2, G)) [1]
Summary
Many great voyages have been launched to explore the oceans and what lies beyond, as they have always held a great fascination for us. A great variety of marine organisms were collected and described during these voyages, but insects appear to have received little attention [1]. They are the most abundant animals on land, insects are relatively rare in marine environments [2]. A few thousand insect species belonging to more than 20 orders are considered to be marine [3,4]. The majority of marine insects belong to the Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera orders, and they can be found in various marine habitats. The only insects to live in the open ocean are members of the genus
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