Intra-individual variation allows an explicit test of the hygric hypothesis for discontinuous gas exchange in insects.

Biology Letters
Caroline M WilliamsBrent J Sinclair

Abstract

The hygric hypothesis postulates that insect discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGCs) are an adaptation that reduces respiratory water loss (RWL), but evidence is lacking for reduction of water loss by insects expressing DGCs under normal ecological conditions. Larvae of Erynnis propertius (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) naturally switch between DGCs and continuous gas exchange (CGE), allowing flow-through respirometry comparisons of water loss between the two modes. Water loss was lower during DGCs than CGE, both between individuals using different patterns and within individuals using both patterns. The hygric cost of gas exchange (water loss associated with carbon dioxide release) and the contribution of respiratory to total water loss were lower during DGCs. Metabolic rate did not differ between DGCs and CGE. Thus, DGCs reduce RWL in E. propertius, which is consistent with the suggestion that water loss reduction could account for the evolutionary origin and/or maintenance of DGCs in insects.

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Citations

Nov 28, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Heath A MacMillanBrent J Sinclair
Nov 8, 2014·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Hamish BartrimCraig R White
Mar 16, 2012·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Philip G D Matthews, Craig R White
Nov 16, 2010·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·L LalouetteD Renault
May 15, 2013·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·N G SchimpfC R White
Jan 27, 2012·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Natalie G SchimpfCraig R White
Jan 11, 2011·Journal of Insect Physiology·C Helene Basson, John S Terblanche
May 15, 2013·Journal of Insect Physiology·Sarah L LakeBrent J Sinclair
Feb 13, 2013·Journal of Insect Physiology·Helmut KäferAnton Stabentheiner
Jan 28, 2015·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Mariana ThienelClaudio Veloso
Sep 14, 2016·Scientific Reports·Leigh BoardmanJohn S Terblanche
Aug 19, 2017·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Philip G D Matthews
Dec 12, 2020·Journal of Insect Physiology·Alex S TorsonBrent J Sinclair
Mar 11, 2011·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Heidy L Contreras, Timothy J Bradley
Mar 11, 2011·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Katie E Marshall, Brent J Sinclair
Mar 24, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Heath A MacmillanBrent J Sinclair
Feb 23, 2013·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Philip G D Matthews, Craig R White
Jul 27, 2014·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Berlizé GroenewaldJohn S Terblanche
Jul 4, 2013·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Berlizé GroenewaldJohn S Terblanche

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