Gerrinae

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Gerrinae
Gerris lacustris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Gerridae
Subfamily: Gerrinae
Leach, 1815

Gerrinae is a subfamily of water strider. This subfamily includes the largest and most best-known group of Gerridae. They are also a phylogenetic subfamily made up of two tribes, and ~14 genera. [1][2]

Description[edit]

Like all water striders, Gerrinae are able to walk on water using hydrophobic microhairs. Their bodies also consist of two antennae, a narrow thorax, and six appendages. [3]

Members of the Gerrinae subfamily are characterized by having long slender bodies. Typically, juvenile gerrini range from a lengths of 1-13 mm, widths of 0.5-3 mm. Adult lengths are 4-17 mm, widths 1-4 mm. Noteably, these striders share similar sizes with the Cylindrostethinae and Ptilomerinae, subfamilies within the Gerridae famiy.[4]

Habitat[edit]

Gerrinae are marine insects and are found closer to inland waters. They prefer slow-moving ponds and streams to complement their natural ability. They can be commonly found throughout the Americas, Europe, and temperate Asia. While they are sociable, these insects prefer not to live in close, compact schools.[5][6]

Their most common source of prey are smaller insects. They will usually only go after anything that is helplessly stuck in the water. There are even cases of them resorting to cannibalism during food shortages, young nymphs and weaker adults often fall victim to this.[6][7]

Tribes and selected genera[edit]

Source:[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Carnegie Museum; Museum, Carnegie; History, Carnegie Museum of Natural (1934). Annals of the Carnegie Museum. Vol. v.23 (1934). [Pittsburgh]: Published by authority of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institute.
  2. ^ Damgaard, Jakob; Moreira, Felipe Ferraz Figueiredo; Weir, Tom A.; Zettel, Herbert (2014-07-24). "Molecular phylogeny of the pond skaters (Gerrinae), discussion of the fossil record and a checklist of species assigned to the subfamily (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae)". Insect Systematics & Evolution. 45 (3): 251–281. doi:10.1163/1876312X-44042105. ISSN 1876-312X.
  3. ^ Morgan, N.C. (1994). "Aquatic insect ecology, 1. Biology and habitat". Biological Conservation. 69 (1): 122. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(94)90337-9. ISSN 0006-3207.
  4. ^ Harianja, Martina F.; Luke, Sarah H.; Barclay, Holly; Chey, Vun K.; Aldridge, David C.; Foster, William A.; Turner, Edgar C. (February 2023). "Length–biomass equations to allow rapid assessment of semi‐aquatic bug biomass in tropical streams". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 171 (2): 102–115. doi:10.1111/eea.13247. ISSN 0013-8703.
  5. ^ Carnegie Museum; Museum, Carnegie; History, Carnegie Museum of Natural (1934). Annals of the Carnegie Museum. Vol. v.23 (1934). [Pittsburgh]: Published by authority of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institute.
  6. ^ a b Berchi, Gavril Marius; Kment, Petr (2015-05-25). "Review of the family Veliidae in Romania (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)". Zootaxa. 3963 (1): 74–88. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3963.1.5. ISSN 1175-5334.
  7. ^ Biggam, R. C.; Brusven, M. A. (1989). "Gerridae (water Striders) of Idaho (heteroptera)". The Great Basin Naturalist. 49 (2): 259–274. ISSN 0017-3614.
  8. ^ Wikispecies entry


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