The role of the mesothoracic spiracles in respiration in flighted and flightless dung beetles

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.01479
• Publication Date: 2005-03-08T19:57:48Z
• Authors: Frances D. Duncan; Marcus J. Byrne
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Analysis of Variance; Respiration; Carbon Dioxide; Environment; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 12. Responsible consumption; Coleoptera; South Africa; Species Specificity; 13. Climate action; Animals; Energy Metabolism

SUMMARY The relative role of the mesothoracic and abdominal spiracles in respiration was examined using flow-through respirometry four dung beetle species from different habitats. Two flightless beetles, Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) gariepinus striatum, arid western region southern Africa a large flighted species, Pachylomerus femoralis, more mesic habitat were compared with Circellium bacchus, low rainfall eastern area. All showed form discontinuous gas exchange pattern at rest. used closed, flutter, open, cycle (CFO)while those habitats ventilation, cycle(CV) or burst (CB). importance CO2 emission varied between species,even same genus habitat. C. bacchus P. femoralis represent extremes spiracles; almost total to none, respectively. Overall, convection pronounced dry supporting hypothesis that both strategies aid reduction water loss.