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Cryoprotective dehydration is widespread in Arctic springtails
Jesper Givskov Sørensen1, Martin Holmstrup
1National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Vejlsøvej 25, P.O. Box 314, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
Journal of Insect Physiology
|March 15, 2011
Summary
Cryoprotective dehydration (CPD) is a common cold hardiness strategy for Arctic soil arthropods. This study confirms CPD is widespread, enabling overwintering survival through controlled water loss.
Area of Science:
- Arthropod physiology
- Cold hardiness strategies
- Arctic ecology
Background:
- Cryoprotective dehydration (CPD) is a cold tolerance strategy involving water loss via evaporation at sub-zero temperatures.
- Few species have been extensively studied for CPD mechanisms.
- Soil arthropods in extreme environments face significant overwintering challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cold tolerance strategies of seven high Arctic soil arthropod species.
- To test the hypothesis that CPD is a common overwintering strategy among soil arthropods.
- To compare water content, water loss, melting points, and survival under cold and desiccating conditions.
Main Methods:
- Investigated seven soil arthropod species from Spitzbergen.
- Measured water content and water loss rates.
- Determined body fluid melting points (MP).
- Assessed survival under cold and desiccating conditions.
Main Results:
- Four springtail species (Collembola) exhibited severe dehydration and MP equilibration, indicating CPD use for overwintering.
- One beetle species and one springtail species employed supercooling (freeze avoidance).
- The red velvet mite showed low water loss, suggesting it does not rely on CPD.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that cryoprotective dehydration is an effective and widespread overwintering strategy for soil arthropods.
- CPD enables survival in harsh Arctic conditions by controlled water loss.
- Diverse cold tolerance strategies exist within soil arthropod communities.
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