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A new Chironomid from Africa, the larva of which can be dehydrated without injury.
Author(s) -
HINTON H. E.
Publication year - 1951
Publication title -
proceedings of the zoological society of london
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0370-2774
DOI - 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1951.tb00801.x
Subject(s) - larva , biology , habitat , zoology , ecology
SUMMARY. 1. A new Chironomid, Polypedilum vanderplanki, is described that breeds in small rock pools in Northern Nigeria. 2. Larvae can be dried for at least 18 months after which more than 90 per cent. can be reactivated by placing them in water. 3. Larvae can be alternately dried and activated in water a number of times. 4. Active larvae tolerate temperatures as high as 41°C., and some withstand 43.5° C. for as long as 14 hours. 5. Dehydrated larvae can survive 65° C. for 20 hours and 68.5° C. for nearly 11 hours. 6. Some dehydrated larvae will recover for a short time after exposure to 106°C. for 3 hours, 126–130°C. for 20 minutes and 199–201°C. for 5 minutes. 7. Reasons are given for the belief that without the attributes described in “2” to “5” above. the larvae would be unable to survive the exigencies of their natural habitat