Ability of aquatic Stratiomyidae (Diptera) larvae to survive stream drying using dormancy

Abstract

To better understand the limitations of dormancy on Odontomyia Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) survival and body condition, we conducted a series of laboratory-based microcosm experiments. We found that Odontomyia larvae can survive at least two extended dry periods (≥30 days) through dormancy. The presence of moisture in the substrate during dormancy is not necessary to survive and had no effect on survival or larval body mass in our experiments. Energy and bodily water loss likely limit survival in dormant stages. Although these results suggest Odontomyia are fairly resistant to drying, more data is needed on body mass, pupation, and reproductive success across hydroregimes. The more we understand about the survival limitations of rock pool aquatic invertebrates, the more successful conservation efforts will be for their unique aquatic biota.

Keywords:

• Drought tolerance
• desiccation resistance
• soldier fly
• Sonoran Desert (Arizona, USA)
• microcosm experiments

Acknowledgements

The authors thank anonymous reviewers for improvements to this paper. The authors conducted our research under permits ORPI-2021-SCI-0009 and ORPI-2022-SCI-0007 and thank the staff at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument for support during field campaigns. The authors also thank Dr Dave Breshears and the Extreme Global Change Ecology Lab at the University of Arizona for the use of their lab space, as well as Dr David Dettman and the Environmental Isotope Laboratory at the University of Arizona for access to deionised water. The first author is an American Association of University Women American Dissertation Fellow and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a Research and Project Grant through the Graduate and Professional Student Council at the University of Arizona.