Assessing the morphological and physiological adaptations of the parasitoid wasp E chthrodesis lamorali for survival in an intertidal environment

Owen, Candice A; Coetzee, Julie A; van Noort, Simon; Austin, Andrew D

Title: Assessing the morphological and physiological adaptations of the parasitoid wasp E chthrodesis lamorali for survival in an intertidal environment
Creator: Owen, Candice A
Creator: Coetzee, Julie A
Creator: van Noort, Simon
Creator: Austin, Andrew D
Date Issued: 2017
Date: 2017
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123178
Identifier: vital:35412
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12187
Description: As a result of a variety of chemical, environmental, mechanical and physiological difficulties, insects that spend their entire life spans in the marine or intertidal region are relatively rare. The present study assesses whether morphological and physiological adaptations have evolved in a maritime parasitoidwasp species Echthrodesis lamorali Masner, 1968 (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Scelioninae), in response to environmental pressures on its respiratory functioning. Scanning electron and light microscopy of whole and sectioned specimens show the presence of structure-retaining taenidia in the tracheal tubes, although there is an absence of other major adaptations associated with the trachea or spiracles. Histological sectioning reveals the presence of unusual sacs in the female metasoma whose role is unknown, although they are hypothesized to most likely be linked to ovipositor control. Respirometry experiments illustrate the formation of a plastron when submerged, with the longevity of the wasps being increased by quiescence. The critical thermal range of E. lamorali is shown to be large: from −1.1 ∘C±0.16 to 45.7 ∘C±0.26 (mean±SE). Behavioural and physiological adaptations in E. lamorali appear to have evolved in response to exposure to the heterogeneous environmental conditions experienced within the intertidal zone.
Format: 8pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: Physiological Entomology
Relation: Owen, C.A., Coetzee, J.A., van Noort, S. and Austin, A.D., 2017. Assessing the morphological and physiological adaptations of the parasitoid wasp E chthrodesis lamorali for survival in an intertidal environment. Physiological entomology, 42(2), pp.173-180
Relation: Physiological Entomology volume 42 number 2 173 180 2017 0307-6962
Rights: Physiological Entomology
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Wiley Online Library Terms of Use statement (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions)

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Owen, Candice Ann (Dr)

Coetzee, Julie A (Prof)

RU DST/NRF SARChI for Insects in Sustainable Agricultural Ecosystems

SDG 13. Climate Action

RU Department of Botany

SDG 15. Life On Land

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

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