Premium
Some Adaptive Features in the Respiratory System of Dineutes indicus Aubé (Coleoptera, Gyrinidae)
Author(s) -
TONAPI GOPAL T.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.1978.tb00790.x
Subject(s) - biology , respiratory system , respiration , insect , anatomy , limiting , metabolic rate , metabolic activity , air bubble , thorax (insect anatomy) , zoology , ecology , physiology , mechanics , endocrinology , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering
The spiracular structure characterized with a system of snarling dense outgrowths, has been studied in order to elucidate their reinterpreted role in respiration. The tracheal anatomy has undergone modifications to subserve a secondary function of reducing the metabolic heat in the thorax—a region of relatively high metabolic activity. Tracheation is so arranged as to enable this insect to lead successfully an amphibious existence. The rate of its oxygen consumption and its capacity to remain under water with an air bubble which functions as an efficient physical gill with temperature as an important limiting factor has been studied. Attempts have been made to analyse the anatomy of the respiratory system with reference to the insect's behaviour in its environment.