Abstract
The high marsh panne ecosystem at Adam's Point, N. H. provides a particular opportunity for holistic, yet autecological approach to the natural history of Trichocorixa verticalis var. sellaris (Corixidae). This area was dominated by physical and chemical factors associated with highly variable salinities (1 to 160‰) and temperatures (−1 to 40°C) caused by irregular tidal flooding and neap tidal dry periods.
Trichocorixa verticalis reach a maximum density of 26,914/m2 (x = 3,909.6/m2) in open shallow pannes, where eggs hatch in staggered sequence, allowing population replenishment after drought and reflooding. Winter eggs hatched between salinities of 0 to 30‰ at 20°C and 0 to 20‰ at 10°C. Summer eggs hatched between salinities of 0 to 55‰ at variable temperatures (20 to 36°C). All instars showed a similar higher summer and lower fall tolerance; immatures were more tolerant than adults. Body molt measurements of the 6 instars are given here.
Aside from being herbivores and detritivores, T, verticalis feed on chironomid larvae and oligochaetes. They are food for invertebrates and vertebrates, and provide substantial food for migratory shorebirds.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Battaglia, B. 1967. Genetic aspects of benthic ecology in brackish waters. Pages 574–577 in G. H. Lauff, ed. Estuaries. AAAS Publ. 83. Washington, D. C.
Bayly, I. A. E. 1972. Salinity tolerance and osmotic behavior of animals in athalassic saline and marine hypersaline waters. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 3: 233–268.
Borror, A. C. 1975. Environmental requirements of selected estuarine ciliated protozoa. National Environmental Research Center. Office of Research and Development, EPA Corvallis, Oregon. 49 pp.
Cameron, G. N. 1972. Analysis of insect trophic diversity in two salt marsh communities. Ecology 53 (1): 58–73.
Cobben, R. H. 1968. Evolutionary trends in Heteroptera P. I Eggs, architecture of the shell, gross embryology and eclosion. Centre Agr. Publ. Documentation Wageningen, The Netherlands. 475 pp.
Davis, C. C. 1966. Notes on the ecology and reproduction of Trichocorixa reticulata in a Jamaican salt-water pool. Ecology 47: 850–852.
Edmondson, W. T. & Winberg, G. G. 1971. A manual on methods for the assessment of secondary productivity in fresh waters. IBP Handbook 17. Blackwell Sci. Publ. Oxford. 358 pp.
Foster, W. A. & Treherne, J. E. 1976. Insects of marine salt-marshes: problems and adaptations. Pages 5–42 in L. Cheng, ed. Marine insects. American Elsevier Publ. Co., N. Y.
Hutchinson, G. E. 1931. On the occurrence of Trichocorixa Kirkaldy (Corixidae, Hemiptera-Heteroptera) in salt water and its zoogeographical significance. Am. Nat. 65: 573–574.
Kinne, O. 1967. Physiology of estuarine organisms with special reference to salinity and temperature: General aspects. Pages 525–540 in G. H. Lauff, Estuaries. AAAS Publ. 83: Washington, D. C.
Macan, T. T. 1974. Freshwater ecology. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. N. Y. 343 pp.
Miller, W. R. & Egler, F. E. 1950. Vegetation of the Wequetequock-pawcatuk tidal marshes, Connecticut. Ecol. Monogr. 20 (2): 143–172.
Nicol, E. T. 1935. The ecology of a salt-marsh. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. 20: 203–261.
Peters, W. & Ulbrich, R. 1973. The life history of the water-boatman, Trichocorixella mexicana(Heteroptera: Corixidae). Can. Ent. 105: 277–282.
Recher, H. F. 1966. Some aspects of the ecology of migrant shorebirds. Ecology 47 (3): 393–407.
Redfield, A. C. 1972. Development of a New England salt marsh. Ecol. Monogr. 42: 201–237.
Richardson, F. D. 1976. Environmental parameters of Ruppia Maritima L. populations on New Hampshire Tidal Marshes. M. S. Thesis, University of New Hampshire. 98 pp.
Sailer, R. I. 1948. The genus Trichocorixa (Corixidae : Hemiptera). Pages 289–407 in H. B. Hungerford, ed. The Corixidae of the Western Hemisphere (Hemiptera). Vol. 32. Kans. Univ. Sci. Bull.
Scudder, G. G. E. 1976. Water-boatmen of saline waters (Hemiptera: Corixidae). Pages 263–289 in L. Cheng, ed. Marine insects. American Elsevier Publ. Co., N. Y.
Thorpe, W. H. 1950. Plastron respiration in aquatic insects. Biological Rev. 25: 344–390.
Tones, P. I. & Hammer, U. T. 1975. Osmoregulation in Trichocorixa verticalis interiores Sailer (Hemiptera: Corixidae) — an inhabitant of Saskatchewan saline lakes, Canada. Can. J. Zool. 53 (9): 1207–1212.
Wigglesworth, V. B. 1972. The principles of insect physiology. Chapman & Hall, London. 827 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The experimental work was based on a thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of New Hampshire in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kelts, L.J. Ecology of a tidal marsh corixid, Trichocorixa verticalis (Insecta, Hemiptera). Hydrobiologia 64, 37–57 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00015451
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00015451