Aquatic True Bugs Research Articles

Predicting climate effects on aquatic true bugs in a tropical biodiversity hotspot

Climate change is a matter of worldwide concern with severe predicted impacts on biodiversity. Here, we analysed the potential impacts of current and future climates on aquatic true bugs (Heteroptera) in relation to their distribution patterns and ecological preferences (based on a database generated from existing literature references and field collections). We considered the traits as ‘species thermal range’ and ‘emergence period’ to evaluate the future climate change impacts on the distributions of aquatic true bugs in the riverine regions of a tropical biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats of India. We used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on the distributions of aquatic true bugs. We modelled the distributions of twenty-six species of aquatic true bugs using different modelling tools through a carefully examined set of occurrence records to generate potential present distributions and to project these distributions into future scenarios of climate change. We observed increasing/decreasing range sizes of the species in the current and future scenarios. We found losses and increases of species' ranges in some regions, but not much variation in species richness. Similarly, no significant effect was observed in the distribution ranges for species with different duration of emergence period and thermal range in current and future climatic scenarios. Losses and gains in species richness would be concentrated in the mountainous area of the Western Ghats, whereas loss of species and the bigger difference between current and future richness will occur in the adjacent lowlands and towards central regions, including the network of protected areas of the Western Ghats. These areas are critical to buffer regional species loss in the future.Implications for insect conservationGiven the importance of aquatic true bugs as bioindicators and biological control agents, monitoring their range shifts should be routinely addressed in the conservation contexts of the Western Ghats.

Review of the aquatic Hemiptera from Cephalonia, with a checklist for the Ionian Islands, Greece (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha, Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha).

Eleven species of aquatic true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are newly recorded for Cephalonia Island (Greece)-Gerromorpha: Hydrometra stagnorum (Linnaeus, 1758), Microvelia pygmaea (Dufour, 1833), Velia mariae Tamanini, 1971, Gerris argentatus Schummel, 1832, G. costae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1850), G. lacustris (Linnaeus, 1758); Nepomorpha: Corixa affinis Leach, 1817, Anisops crinitus Brooks, 1951, A. sardeus Herrich-Schäffer, 1849, Notonecta maculata Fabricius, 1794, Plea minutissima Leach, 1817-where only a few species have been recorded. The most notable records are: Anisops crinitus, which in Europe was known only from the island of Corfu (Greece) and Spain (until recently under the name A. marazanofi Poisson, 1966), and Velia mariae, whose distribution is still poorly known. Velia rivulorum (Fabricius, 1775), V. currens (Fabricius, 1794), and Anisops canariensis Nouahlier, 1893 (currently A. debilis canariensis), from old literature records, are excluded from the fauna of the Ionian Islands. Similarly, N. glauca glauca Linnaeus, 1758 is excluded from the fauna of Cephalonia and Corfu. The first record of Hydrometra gracilenta Horváth, 1899 from Corfu and for the Ionian Islands is provided. Microvelia pygmaea and Gerris maculatus Tamanini, 1946 are newly recorded for Lefkada Island. An annotated list of the Gerromorpha, Nepomorpha, and Leptopodomorpha of the Ionian Islands also is given.

First record of Orbopercularia lichtensteini (Peritrichia: Operculariidae) attached to a hemipteran, Corisella edulis (Nepomorpha: Corixidae), in Hidalgo, Mexico, with notes on its cytology and distributional patterns

ABSTRACTOperculariidae includes sessile ciliate species mainly attached to diverse substrates, but records are scarce for their attachment to aquatic true bugs. The goal of this contribution is to provide new cytological data with optical and scanning electron microscopy of Orbopercularia lichtensteini, and some notes about their distribution on a Mexican corixid. We manually collected the corixids in a pond in Mexico during a six-month period, and all individuals were revised to observe the peritrichids. We calculated the abundance and prevalence, with an emphasis on the specific micro-location of the epibiotic peritrich on the host Corisella edulis. A total of 36,205 peritrichids were recorded in 158 corixids. The colonies with fine striated zooids were dichotomously branched and mostly attached to left eyes, but also on other body regions, i.e. left wings and rostrum. We conclude that some morphological colony traits bring some advantages for food particle capture, and aspects of the biology and morphology of Corisella edulis play an important role in determining the spatial distribution of O. lichtensteini.

Abundance, Richness, Seasonal and Altitudinal Dynamics of Aquatic True Bugs (Heteroptera) in Mountain Wetlands of Argentina

Mountain wetlands provide unique information because their biota is highly specific and contributes significantly to regional diversity. The goals of this study were assessing altitudinal and temporal variation in the distribution of Heteropteran assemblages in mountain wetlands; and studying the phenology of the most abundant species. All stages of Heteroptera and data on environmental variables were collected monthly over one year from five mountain wetlands. A simple community structure, and also a low richness of aquatic true bugs, composed of four Heteropteran families (Corixidae, Belostomatidae, Notonectidae and Gelastocoridae), characterized our ponds. Richness and abundance varied temporally and spatially (p < 0.0001); and increased at higher elevations. Additionally, the highest abundance of cold stenothermal species occurred at the highest altitudes where harsh conditions are prevalent. Ectemnostega (E.) quadrata and S. (T.) jensenhaarupi, both endemic to the Andes region, were the most abundant species. Both these species showed univoltine cycles and overwintered as adults. Biodiversity of the Heteroptera reached maximum values in summer when water temperature increased. Temporal and spatial monitoring studies provide key information on the distribution, diversity, and habitat requirements of Heteropteran species as well as on conservation and management of these vulnerable habitats and species which are faced with climate warming.

The first assess of the haplotypes from COI gene sequences in species of spittlebugs (Cicadomorpha: Hemiptera) and aquatic true bugs (Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha: Hemiptera) in Brazil

We made the first analysis of the COI gene sequences of 22 species of spittlebugs and aquatic true bugs sampled in São Paulo State (Brazil) and used this information to determine the variability within these groups. Considering each codon position, we observed that the third base was the most variable, and the first base was the most conserved. Among species, Mahanarva fimbriolata and Deois flavopicta had the greatest genetic distance (0.181), and Notozulia entreriana and Mahanarva sp had the smallest distance (0.055), with an average variation of 0.119. In Gerromorpha, the greatest distance occurred between Halobatopsis platensis and Rhagovelia zela (0.401), while between Cylindrostethus palmaris and Brachymetra albinervis albinervis, the distance was only 0.187; the average value observed for the Gerromorpha was 0.265. In the Nepomorpha, the species Buenoa antigone antigone and Belostoma micantulum had the greatest genetic distance (0.337), while Martarega brasiliensis and B. a. antigone had the smallest (0.154). The average value observed for Nepomorpha was 0.203. In Cicadomorpha (Auchenorrhyncha) and Nepomorpha (Heteroptera), the COI gene has been conserved; however, it is still useful for characterization of the different taxa. COI analysis was unable to resolve some of the Gerromorpha groups.

New records of suctorians (Ciliophora: Suctoria) as epibionts of aquatic true bugs (Hemiptera: Prosorrhyncha: Nepomorpha) from two regions: Mexico and Eastern Europe

New records of suctorians (Ciliophora: Suctoria) as epibionts of aquatic true bugs (Hemiptera: Prosorrhyncha: Nepomorpha) from two regions: Mexico and Eastern Europe

New records of suctorians (Ciliophora: Suctoria) as epibionts of aquatic true bugs (Hemiptera: Prosorrhyncha: Nepomorpha) from two regions: Mexico and Eastern Europe

Here, we provide new records of suctorians (Ciliophora: Suctoria), epibionts of aquatic true bugs (Hemiptera: Prosorrhyncha: Nepomorpha) collected in Ukraine, Belarus and Mexico. The worldwide distribution of the 16 species we found is updated, from which, 15 species are new records as epibionts of 15 species of aquatic true bugs. Only for the suctorian Discophrya gessneri Matthes, we confirm the previous record (epibiont of Aphelocheirus aestivalis Fabricius). We conclude that the relationship between the suctorians and aquatic true bugs is poorly studied and some suctorian genera (Dis- cophrya Lachmann and Periacineta Collin) inhabit as nepomorphans as other aquatic insects (Coleoptera). However the high degree of specificity at the species level of these genera is evident, for which we provide some possible explanations according to the group of basibiont.

Morphometric Variations of Discophrya Elongata (Ciliophora, Suctorea) Attached to Two Different Species of Aquatic True Bugs (Hemiptera, Prosorrhyncha, Nepomorpha)

Morphometric Variations ofDiscophrya Elongata(Ciliophora, Suctorea) Attached to Two Different Species of Aquatic True Bugs (Hemiptera, Prosorrhyncha, Nepomorpha)Morphometric variation inDiscophrya elongataliving as epibionts of two species of aquatic true bugs,Corisella edulisandNotonecta unifasciata, collected from the same pond in Mexico are discussed. Factors that may be responsible for observed variability, especially hydrodynamic loads and long-term modifications, also are identified and discussed.

New Records and a Checklist of Aquatic True Bugs (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) from Illinois

Abstract Ten species of aquatic true bugs are newly reported for Illinois. Nepomorphan faunistic studies in Illinois are reviewed briefly and a checklist of the 54 species of aquatic true bugs occurring in the state is presented.

Epibiotic relationship between two species of suctorians (Protozoa: Suctoria) and Corisella edulis (Heteroptera: Corixidae)

Reports of epibiosis between ciliated protozoans and aquatic true bugs are scarce. The suctorian ciliates Discophrya elongata and Acineta tuberosa are recorded for the first time as epibionts of Corisella edulis (Corixidae) collected at Hidalgo, Mexico. We analyse the relationship between the architecture of the middle legs and the prevalence of ciliates and present data for their distribution, prevalence, mean abundance, intensity and density on host appendages. Discophrya elongata showed a prevalence of 71.5% on hosts, being attached mainly to middle legs (84%), occurring in highest abundance on the middle femur (mean = 112) and attaching with greatest density on the middle tibia. Acineta tuberosa was observed only on 12 individuals of Corisella edulis and its prevalence was lower than that of D. elongata. These are the first worldwide records of such protozoans being associated with corixids as epibionts.