首页 | 本学科首页   官方微博 | 高级检索  
     


The contribution of setal blades to effective swimming in the aquatic mite Limnochares americana (Acari: Prostigmata: Limnocharidae)
Authors:DAVID BARR  BRUCE P. SMITH
Affiliation:Department of Entomology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6 and Department of Zoology, University of Toronto;Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B. C. V6T 1W5
Abstract:Two rows (anterior and posterior) of long fine setae inserted on the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments of the last two pairs of legs of L. americana form functional swimming blades. Each swimming setal is mounted in a mobile basal socket, and the structure of the setal base and socket configuration ensure that the blades will be passively erected during the leg's power stroke to provide increased thrust and collapsed during the recovery stroke to reduce water resistance. The erect swimming blades increase the effective area for thrust by approximately 500%, making it possible for the mite to lift itself off the bottom. The IVth legs contribute the greater proportion of the thrust developed during paddling, and the 4th segment (genu) bears the largest swimming blades on both legs.
Keywords:Acari    water mites    swimming setae    functional morphology    Limnochares    aquatic Prostigmata
设为首页 | 免责声明 | 关于勤云 | 加入收藏

Copyright©北京勤云科技发展有限公司  京ICP备09084417号