Rafting in Antarctic Collembola

Hawes, T.C.; Worland, M.R.; Bale, J.S.; Convey, P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8497-9903. 2007 Rafting in Antarctic Collembola. Journal of Zoology, 274 (1). 44-50. 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00355.x

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00355.x

Abstract/Summary

Darwin was an early exponent of the importance of ‘occasional means of dispersal’ in accounting for the present-day distribution of plants and animals. This study examined the implications of capture on the water surface of meltwater and seawater for the local and long-range dispersal of Antarctic springtails. Individuals of the maritime Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus, were floated on tap water and seawater at 0, 5 and 10°C. LT50s on seawater were 34 (10°C), 65 (5°C) and 75 (0°C) days. On tap water, LT50s were 69 (10°C), 126 (5°C) and 239 (0°C) days. Less than 20% escaped from the water surface. A significantly greater proportion of springtails moulted on tap water and viable offspring were produced on both tap water and seawater. Comparison across treatments of survival of moulting and non-moulting individuals found significantly greater survival in moulting animals for three of the treatment combinations. It is suggested that moult exuviae facilitate survival on the water film through the simultaneous provision of a flotation aid and a source of nourishment – that is, an ‘edible raft’. A separate experiment measuring changes in haemolymph osmolality over time on tap water and seawater at 2 and 5°C found significant differences in all treatments. Causes of mortality are discussed in relation to osmoregulatory failure and starvation.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00355.x
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Biodiversity, Functions, Limits and Adaptation from Molecules to Ecosystems
ISSN:	0952-8369
Additional Keywords:	rafting, passive dispersal, maritime Antarctic, Collembola, seawater, moulting, osmolality
Date made live:	08 Jan 2013 10:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/20931

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00355.x

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Biodiversity, Functions, Limits and Adaptation from Molecules to Ecosystems

ISSN:

0952-8369

Additional Keywords:

rafting, passive dispersal, maritime Antarctic, Collembola, seawater, moulting, osmolality

Date made live:

08 Jan 2013 10:40 +0 (UTC)