Abstract
The winter-active Diamesa mendotae Muttkowski (Diptera: Chironomidae) is freeze intolerant in the adult stage with a low mean supercooling point (SCP) of ∼-20°C. However, cold-hardiness strategies for immatures of this species are unknown. In this study, we measured SCP values for D. mendotae larvae, pupae and adults using surface-contact thermometry. In addition, the lower lethal temperature (LLT) was determined for the larval stage. The mean SCPs for larvae (-7.4°C) and pupae (-9.1°C) were relatively high compared to adults (-19.7°C). Our results indicate that the larvae of D. mendotae are freeze tolerant with a LLT99 (-25.4°C), ∼-10°C lower than their minimum SCP (-15.6°C). Freeze tolerance in these larvae may be a strategy to provide protection from short-term exposures to ice crystals or to permit diapause within frozen substrates. The change in cold-hardiness strategy from freeze tolerant to freeze intolerant between the larval and adult stages of this species is likely a result of the different habitats occupied by these two life stages.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 403-416 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Hydrobiologia |
Volume | 568 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2006 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for critical comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. This work was partially funded by a University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (R.W.B. Jr. and M.A.C.).
Keywords
- Cold hardiness
- Lotic
- Lower lethal temperature
- Supercooling point
- Winter activity