Zonation, behaviour and morphology of the intertidal coral-treader Hermatobates (Hemiptera: Hermatobatidae) in the south-west Pacific
Foster WA. 1989. Zonation, behaviour and morphology of the intertidal coral-treader Hermatobates (Hemiptera: Hermatobatidae) in the south-west Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 96:87-105
Only exclusively marine family of insect; can be abundant on shores with lots of rocks with crevices that remain air filled at high tide; restricted to a narrow band centered around Mean Low Water Neaps; can't survive above or below; swim on surface at low tide then return an hour after tide turn; hairs hold air and water surface for bugs; four larval stages; adults can swim further from shore than juvies and copulate in tide pools; can survive submerged in recirculated seawater for twelve hours (50% mort).
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Foster, W
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- American Samoa, coral treader, Gerromorpha, Hermatobates, marine insect, Plastron