Effect of temperature and sex on growth patterns in nymphs of the mayfly Hexagenia hilineata in the laboratory

WRIGHT, L. L. ; MATTICE, J. S. ; BEAUCHAMP, J. J.

Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Published 1982
ISSN:
1365-2427
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
SUMMARY. Eggs collected from Hexagenia bilineata females were successfully reared in the laboratory at temperatures of 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Eggs did not hatch at 10°C and although hatching was successful at 35°C, all nymphs at this temperature died while in early instars.Survival of nymphs between the approximate size interval of 4–14 mm showed a significant decrease with increased temperatures. Nymphs at 15°C, however, generally did not survive transformation to the subaduit stage.The growth pattern of individual nymphs was well described by a logistic curve at most temperatures. Furthermore, growth pattern was significantly affected by both temperature and sex.Rate of development from oviposition to first emergence increased with increasing temperatures in a linear fashion between 15 and 30°C. The relationship was equally well described by a hyperbolic equation and a power-law equation. By extrapolation from the hyperbolic equation, the lower threshold temperature for development was estimated to be 10.1°C3.1°C. The degree (°C)-days required for development from oviposition to first emergence was calculated to be 2337 days with 95% confidence limits of 2045–2727 days under laboratory conditions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL: