The discontinuous gas exchange (DGE) pattern of respiration shown by many arthropods includes periods of spiracle closure (C-phase) and is largely thought to serve as a physiological adaptation to restrict water loss in terrestrial environments. One major challenge to this hypothesis is to explain the presence of DGE in insects in moist environments. Here, we show a novel ecological correlate of the C-phase, namely diving behaviour in mesic Paracinema tricolor grasshoppers. Notably, maximal dive duration is positively correlated with C-phase length, even after accounting for mass scaling and absolute metabolic rate. Here, we propose that an additional advantage of DGE may be conferred by allowing the tracheal system to act as a sealed underwater oxygen reservoir. Spiracle closure may facilitate underwater submersion, which in turn, may contribute to predator avoidance, the survival of accidental immersion or periodic flooding and aid exploiting underwater resources.
The closed spiracle phase of discontinuous gas exchange predicts diving duration in the grasshopper, Paracinema tricolor
Currently Viewing Accepted Manuscript - Newer Version Available
Agnieszka Gudowska, Leigh Boardman, John S. Terblanche; The closed spiracle phase of discontinuous gas exchange predicts diving duration in the grasshopper, Paracinema tricolor. J Exp Biol 2016; jeb.135129. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.135129
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