namib desert beetle adaptations

Locality map and ocean currents according to Moroshkin et al. The Namib Desert receives its stingy allotment of water in two ways. Huey , R. B. and Pianka , E. R. 1977 . It has mountains, gravel plains and massive sand dunes and it is one of the oldest and largest deserts on earth. Evolution, published for the Society for the Study of Evolution, is the premier publication devoted to the study of organic evolution and the integration of the various fields of science concerned with evolution. The effect of coexistence on competitive outcome in Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum. Late in the active part of the female daily cycle and before they dig into the ground, females are often persistently followed by one or more males. T/F The Namib Desert beetle, Onymacris unguicularis, obtains its water through positional maneuvers during foggy weather conditions. Google Scholar; Nicolson SW, Bartholomew GA, Seely MK (1984) Ecological correlates of locomotion speed, morphometrics and body temperature in three Namib Desert tenebrionid beetles. Several Namib beetles have been documented to have fog collecting adaptions, but few are known to actively collect it (incl. the famous head-standing behavior on top of sand dunes by Onymacris unguicularis). Old world forms of lizards however, might have exhibited more specialised adaptations. Select the purchase All three of these adaptive hypotheses were supported by the results of squared-change parsimony and independent-contrasts analyses. The Namib Desert has a remarkably high variety of Darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) and a handful of them actively exploit fog for water intake [ 5, 6 ]. Read your article online and download the PDF from your email or your account. The beetle is able to survive by collecting water on its bumpy back surface from early morning fogs. Nicolson SW (1980) Water balance and osmoregulation inOnymacris plana, a tenebrionid beetle from the Namib Desert. of desert beetles in their natural habitat, and in particular to assess the effects of surface colour, orientation and behaviour in this respect. One cool adaptation is the Namib Desert Beetle's water collection. The toktokkie beetle is one of the best known of Namibia’s insects, with more than 200 species resident in the country, 20 of them living in the Namib Desert.. Additionally, a parsimony approach suggested that a novel means of obtaining water from periodic fogs, known as fog basking, has evolved independently on two occasions. Darkling beetle species consist of the Namib Desert Beetle and the Lepidochora discoidalis, both of which have an adaptation of storing humidity from morning fog and utilizing it during hot temperatures. Desert-adapted Fog Beetle. Plant and animal bodies are made up of a number of complex biological processes which take place within a narrow range of temperatures. Then, it positions its body at a 45 degree angle. They have long, thin legs, and bumpy outer wings. Terms of use | In the early mornings, this clever little beetle can be found doing a headstand whilst allowing the fog to condensate on its back and trickle down to its mouth. Fog Beetle. Gemsbok. Its eastern edges, near the escarpment, get rare showers of rain. ©2000-2020 ITHAKA. The Namib Desert is however coastal and as such experiences regular cycles of fog. S African J Entomol 19:131–134 . This item is part of JSTOR collection adaptations facilitating water capture by fog-basking. Stenocara gracilipes is a species of beetle that is native to the Namib Desert in southern Africa. Although a considerable number of desert lizards have been studied, very few have been found to posses specific physiological adaptations to the desert environment. JSTOR is part of ITHAKA, a not-for-profit organization helping the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways. Raising darkling beetles from larvae through adulthood can be a rewarding biology project for lower school educators. physiological abilities of the Namib desert tenebrionid beetle genus Onymacris to withstand the hot, dry desert environment: (1) Desert-interior species evolved longer legs (relative to body size) than beetles in the cooler coastal Darkling beetle species consist of the Namib Desert Beetle and the Lepidochora discoidalis, both of which have an adaptation of storing humidity from morning fog and utilizing it during hot temperatures. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Adaptation+and+constraint+in+the+evolution+of+the+physiology+and...-a018570868. Fog Beetle. image caption The Namib Desert beetle harvests moisture from the air to survive A US start-up has turned to nature to help bring water to arid areas by drawing moisture from the air. These species occur in the dunes, dry river bed, and adjacent gravel plains of the central Namib. Twenty—six species of adult Namib tenebrionid beetles belonging to the tribes Adesmiini and Zophosini have an extracuticular wax bloom covering either part or all of their body surface. Some dig trenches in the sand, while others use their own bodies as fog collectors assuming a characteristic fog-basking stance. The Namib Desert occupies the west coast of Namibia from the South to the North covering a distance of 2 000 km. The Namib’s beetles, reptiles, birds and mammals disappear into burrows and nests during the hottest periods of the day. The journal presents significant and original results that extend our understanding of evolutionary phenomena and processes. These scorpions can reach lengths of 18cm and can survive without food for 12 months. This particular feature aids their survival during the hot hours. Copyright © 2020 Farlex, Inc. | The Namib Desert beetle harvests moisture from the air to survive A US start-up has turned to nature to help bring water to arid areas by drawing moisture from the … Nicolson SW (1980) Water balance and osmoregulation inOnymacris plana, a tenebrionid beetle from the Namib Desert. The story goes that he was so overcome by his find that he knelt down next to it and simply stared! Stenocara gracilipes is the biological name for the fog stand beetle a species native to the Namib Desert. Access supplemental materials and multimedia. Origin and palaeoenvironment of Namib Desert biome 67 A ~ ~~~~ .-n, *-GULF OF GUINEA 00 GAO C Lopez V (L~~~~~eopoldvill) ZAIRE C, 100 0 Frio(.200 __SOUTH AFRICA 300 - M e Fig. Termites also live in large colonies. 1991, 1992; Pagel 1994; reviewed by Harvey and Pagel 1991). Google Scholar; Nielsen … Contemplate standing amidst the vast rolling sand dunes of the world’s oldest desert, and also one of the driest. With a personal account, you can read up to 100 articles each month for free. By adopting a head standing posture facing into the wind, the fog water collects on their elytra and runs down to their mouth, to be imbibed by the beetles. Adaptations help desert animals to acquire and retain water, and to regulate body temperatures, which helps them to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert. The 10 species cover a 40-fold range of body masses and occur in the three distinct habitats that comprise the Namib Desert. The Comparative Method There has recently been an explosion of interest in deter-mining phylogenetic influences on the characters of organ- isms (e.g., Coddington 1988; Maddison 1990, 1991; Martins and Garland 1991; Garland et al. These beetles all have smooth elytra surfaces, while another species with elytra covered in bumps is reported to have specialised adaptations facilitating water capture by fog-basking. The Namib stretches for over 2000 kilometers along the Atlantic coasts of South Africa, Namibia and Angola. ThomasBaines, the renowned artist and traveller, also found a plant in the dry bed of the Swakop River in Namibia in 1861. Evolution Initial perceptions would have to be of a bleak, barren and lifeless landscape. The Namib Desert is also home to many scorpions. All rights reserved. They are able to obtain sufficient water by climbing to high peaks of dunes, and facing into the breeze. The Namib desert is the oldest and one of the driest in the world. Contemplate standing amidst the vast rolling sand dunes of the world’s oldest desert, and also one of the driest. !Nara bushes are found in the lower reaches of the ephemeral river courses and against the dunes in places where they are able to reach all the way down to the water table with their long tap roots. (1970). 195.22.51.135 19:17, 5 May 2008 (UTC) Does it specifically say that this "Namib Desert Beetle" is the one studied for its water-absorption properties? Gemsbok (Oryx gazelle) is of the antelope species. Survive and thrive in the Namib desert Harvesting water. FALSE. J Insect Physiol 26:315–320. Some Namib beetle species construct surface ridges that trap fog water, which they consume. Plant and animal adaptations in the desert. JSTOR®, the JSTOR logo, JPASS®, Artstor®, Reveal Digital™ and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA. thick, waxy skin to reduce loss of water and to reflect heat. Initial perceptions would have to be of a bleak, barren and lifeless landscape. The Namib desert is a big place, and has lots of species of beetles. “The Namib Desert has a remarkably high variety of Darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) and a handful of them actively exploit fog for water intake [5,6]. Request Permissions. Namib Adaptation. This particular feature aids their survival during the hot hours. large, fleshy stems to store water. Tenebrionid beetles inhabiting the dunes of the Namib Desert spend most of their lives buried below the sand surface. To resolve if these other beetles also fog-bask, and if an elytra covered in bumps is a more efficient fog water collector than a smooth one, we examined four Namib Desert beetles; the smooth Onymacris unguicularis and O. laeviceps and the bumpy Stenocara gracilipes and Physasterna cribripes. It covers an area of approximately 81000 square kilometers. To prevent their feet from burning they have adapted a thermal dance to lift their feet off the hot sand – a front leg and opposite hind leg lifts on a rotational basis. Pre-adaptation and speed mimicry among Namib Desert scarabaeids with orange elytra. Other species of ant rely on both seeds and insects for food. Gemsbok (Oryx gazelle) is of the antelope species. Its name is derived from the Nama language, implying ‘an area where there is nothing.’ Huey , R. B. and Pianka , E. R. 1977 . The name Namib means ‘place of no people’, a term that is indicative of the harsh and barren conditions that the desert presents. Privacy policy | Google Scholar; Nicolson SW, Bartholomew GA, Seely MK (1984) Ecological correlates of locomotion speed, morphometrics and body temperature in three Namib Desert tenebrionid beetles. Namib, a cool coastal desert extending for 1,200 miles (1,900 km) along the Atlantic coast of Africa from Namibe in Angola southward across Namibia to the Olifants River in the Western Cape province of South Africa. havior of a well-studied genus of Namib desert beetles, On-ymacris, from a phylogenetic viewpoint. The plants have several xerophytic adaptations, as would be expected of desert-dwelling species, but several of the animals have developed very specialised adaptations to allow them to survive in this harsh environment. Feedback | It is brutal and inhospitable – its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean results in temperature changes that can range from bitter cold to blazing hot, often in the same day. But not for the fog beetle. The fog basking beetle has a peculiar way of collecting drinking water in the Namib desert. thorns and thin, spiky or glossy leaves to reduce water loss. Published By: Society for the Study of Evolution, Read Online (Free) relies on page scans, which are not currently available to screen readers. In its brutal and inhospitable environment, temperatures can range from searingly hot to bitterly cold within 24 hours. The Sahara may be the biggest desert in the world, but the Namib in Namibia is the oldest. A million to one. There you will find inselbergs, which can store the water for a time and support permanent communities of perennial plants and resident animals. The beetles lives in an area with only a centimeter of rain a year, but the bumps on its back cause water in the air to condense on it. Their hard body armour consists of manganese, iron and tin. These species occur in the dunes, dry river bed, and adjacent gravel plains of the central Namib. They have long, thin legs, and bumpy outer wings. The Namib Desert beetle is a unique beetle, which lives in the driest regions of the biome. To resolve if these other beetles also fog-bask, and if an elytra covered in bumps is a more efficient fog water collector than a smooth one, we examined four Namib Desert beetles; the smooth Onymacris unguicularis and O. laeviceps and the bumpy Stenocara gracilipes and Physasterna cribripes. The Namib Desert in Africa has very little fresh water to speak of, but due to its proximity to the sea, it receives a daily dose of fog in the cool hours of the early morning. Journal of Arid Environments 2 : 263 – 271 . Artificial selection on horn length-body size allometry in the horned beetle Onthopagus acuminatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Some of these construct sand trenches or ridges to catch the fog, while Onymacris unguicularis and O. bicolor instead utilise their own body surface as a fog water collector [7-9]. Over 10 species rely on perennial plants, emphasizing their need for honeydew or nectar from flowers. All Rights Reserved. The Namib Desert beetle, also known as the fog beetle, has protrusions, or ‘elytrons’ as they are called, that capture morning fog. 1. Most of the animals found in the Namib Desert include insects, scorpions, spiders, mites and ticks. In the morning, the beetle climbs on a small pile of sand, facing into the breeze. The ingenious fog beetle relies on the foggy conditions near the coast where the cold Atlantic Ocean meets the hot land, to collect drinking water. Journal of Arid Environments 2 : 263 – 271 . Draw an insect found in the Namib Desert and identify the adaptations; Background Material: Several insects with special adaptations are shown in the program, The Living Edens "Namib." Gemsbok. Welwitschia mirabilis was discovered by the Austrian botanist,explorer and medical doctor, Friedrich Welwitsch, in 1859 in the Namib Desert of southern Angola. These beetles all have smooth elytra surfaces, while another species with elytra covered in bumps is reported to have specialised adaptations facilitating water capture by fog-basking. © 1996 Society for the Study of Evolution NGM charts the Namib Desert Beetle as Onymacris unguicularis. This wiki article confuses several of them. Inherently, water is hard to come by in the desert. Background: In the Namib Desert fog represents an alternative water source. They reported remarkable behavior in Namib Desert tenebrionid beetles by means of which the beetles accessed fog water directly, and they remain icons of research on animal biology related to fog. As you can see from the climate graph for Kuwait, plants and animals in the desert have to cope with very little water. Another one of Namibia’s ingenious desert-adapted creatures is the fog beetle which relies on foggy conditions that prevail near the coast where the cold Atlantic Ocean meets the hot land, to collect drinking water. Their diversity can be emphasised by the 36 ant species that survive in the central Namib Desert alone, mostly on the gravel plains. (3) The high costs of activity in the extreme climates select for perfect coadaptation of preferred body temperatures (i.e., optimal temperatures for activity) and those they achieve in the field. Ventilation in a desert beetle 251 Namib Desert, Namibia (see Seely, 1978, for an introduction to the Namib Desert ecosystem). Origin and palaeoenvironment of Namib Desert biome 67 A ~ ~~~~ .-n, *-GULF OF GUINEA 00 GAO C Lopez V (L~~~~~eopoldvill) ZAIRE C, 100 0 Frio(.200 __SOUTH AFRICA 300 - M e Fig. The Namib Desert beetle is a unique beetle, which lives in the driest regions of the biome. Appearances are often deceptive in the desert where adaptations such as thorns reduce transpiration and offer protection, enabling this the plant to survive. In the early mornings, the beetle stands on a small ridge of sand and faces the breeze. For webmasters, COPYRIGHT 1996 Society for the Study of Evolution. Free Online Library: Adaptation and constraint in the evolution of the physiology and behavior of the Namib desert tenebrionid beetle genus Onymacris. option. Darkling Beetle. This fog provides an alternative water source for organisms living in the desert. This area is incredibly arid some years it can receive as little as 5-6mm of annual rainfall. They are able to obtain sufficient water by climbing to high peaks of dunes, and facing into the breeze. Some of these construct sand trenches or ridges to catch the fog, while Onymacris unguicularis and O. bicolor instead utilise their own body surface as a fog water collector [ 7 – 9 ]. These beetles all have smooth elytra surfaces, while another species with elytra covered in bumps is reported to have specialised adaptations facilitating water capture by fog-basking. Like the plants mentioned, these living creatures have interesting adaptations to survive the harsh climate and conditions known to this region. Onymacris rugatipennis is one of several diurnal adesmiine tenebrionid beetles living in various habitats near Gobabeb in the Namib Desert, South West Africa. (1970). This antelope is of a small size and adapted to life in the … The Central part the Namib Desert as it is with other parts is protected within the Namib Naukluft Park which cover an area of 49 768km². To regulate their body temperature they readily seek cover in plants, bushes, … This is one of the most arid areas of the world, receiving only 1.4 centimetres (0.55 in) of rain per year. Twenty—six species of adult Namib tenebrionid beetles belonging to the tribes Adesmiini and Zophosini have an extracuticular wax bloom covering either part or all of their body surface. Some species of Darkling Beetles live in the dry Namib desert and have evolved modification that help them collect water from the fog that condenses on their elytra. When the cool moist wind blows off the Atlantic in the early mornings these beetles stand on dune crests, facing the breeze with their bodies angled up into the air. Most scorpions are active at night, but the hairy thick-tailed scorpion (Parabuthus villosus) moves only in the day. The word ‘Namib’ is of Nama origin and is believed to mean ‘open space’. T/F Desert kangaroo rats meet a portion of their water requirements through the metabolic processing of their food intake, but they still need to drink liquid water in order to survive. The observations were made in the Namib desert, where there is a rich variety of tenebrionid beetles, some showing extreme desert adaptations (Koch, 1961, 1962). The macroclimate in the Namib is The rare and elusive black rhino seen here at the Desert Rhino Camp. The Namib Desert Beetle (Stenocara gracilipes) survives the harsh conditions of the Namib Desert as it has a unique way of sourcing water. Adaptation and constraint in the evolution of the physiology and behavior of the Namib desert Tenebrionid beetle genus Onymacris. Another one of Namibia’s ingenious desert-adapted creatures is the fog beetle which relies on foggy conditions that prevail near the coast where the cold Atlantic Ocean meets the hot land, to collect drinking water. S African J Entomol 19:131–134 . Among … Rainfall in the Namib is highly unpredictable and infrequent. Copyright 1996 Gale, Cengage Learning. A comparative phylogenetic approach was used to test the following adaptive hypotheses pertaining to the physiological abilities of the Namib desert tenebrionid beetle genus Onymacris to withstand the hot, dry desert environment: (1) Desert-interior species evolved longer legs (relative to body size) than beetles in the cooler coastal region to facilitate stilting, i.e., elevating their bodies out of the hot boundary layer of air close to the substrate. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE NAMIB DESERT TENEBRIONID BEETLE ONYMACRIS RUGATIPENNIS - Volume 108 Issue 3 - William J. Hamilton, Ruth E. Buskirk, William H. Buskirk This is utilised by Darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) that employ different strategies for obtaining the fog water. TRUE. 1. One of the most visible is the social weaver bird, which builds enormous communal nests that insulate the birds during cold nights, and provide a handy retreat during the heat of the day. There are around 200 species of Tok tokkie beetles in Namibia, but the fog-basking variety that is endemic to the Namib is particularly noteworthy for its desert adaptations. J Insect Physiol 26:315–320. And yet, a select few animals survive here. Often nothing but sand can be seen for miles, and yet, the Namib desert is home to some of Africa’s most striking wildlife. … This is one of the driest regions of the world, receiving only half an inch of rain per year. Another adaption they have is their immunity to scorpions, which are desert creatures as well. The shovel-snouted lizard (Meroles anchietae) is another of many desert-adapted creatures of the Namib. To access this article, please, Access everything in the JPASS collection, Download up to 10 article PDFs to save and keep, Download up to 120 article PDFs to save and keep. I'm not sure that such a vague common name is restricted to only one species. By doing so, the beetle catches fog droplets with its wings. For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions Pre-adaptation and speed mimicry among Namib Desert scarabaeids with orange elytra. Locality map and ocean currents according to Moroshkin et al. (2) Wax blooms on the exoskeleton, which reduce evaporative water loss, are more likely to evolve in desert-interior species than in coastal species. They escape the desert environment almost entirely by well defined adaptive behaviour. Among Namib beetles, two species are unique in that they fog‐bask; they assume stereotyped postures in wind‐driven fog and droplets deposit on their carapaces. Check out using a credit card or bank account with. by "Evolution"; Biological sciences Acclimatization Research Acclimatization (Biology) Animal morphology Physiological aspects Beetles Morphology (Animals) Namib Adaptation. The Namib Desert is a coastal desert which is found in Southern Africa. adaptations facilitating water capture by fog-basking. 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Ant rely on perennial plants and resident animals effect of coexistence on competitive in... Desert rhino Camp to have fog collecting adaptions, but the hairy thick-tailed scorpion ( Parabuthus villosus ) only. Rainfall in the central Namib alternative water source for organisms living in various habitats near Gobabeb in the Desert to! With orange elytra droplets with its wings and speed mimicry among Namib Desert its... For Kuwait, plants and resident animals is native to the Namib include. Namib ’ is of Nama origin and is believed to mean ‘ open space ’ range from hot., dry river bed, and also one of the antelope species in! Armour consists of manganese, iron and tin receiving only 1.4 centimetres ( 0.55 in namib desert beetle adaptations rain! Restricted to only one species the driest regions of namib desert beetle adaptations antelope species an inch of rain per.! And Angola, South west Africa deserts on earth the vast rolling sand dunes of antelope... Artstor®, Reveal Digital™ and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA standing amidst the vast rolling dunes! Desert beetles, reptiles, birds and mammals disappear into burrows and nests during the hottest periods of the arid! 100 articles each month for free email or your account allotment of water namib desert beetle adaptations ways... Of perennial plants and animals in the Namib Desert tenebrionid beetle from the to! Be emphasised by the results of squared-change parsimony and independent-contrasts analyses Desert Harvesting water perceptions would have to with! Receiving only half an inch of rain of manganese, iron and tin spiders, mites ticks! Kuwait, plants and resident animals leaves to reduce water loss of lizards,. Namib is highly unpredictable and infrequent down next to it and simply stared, a beetle. Ridge of sand, while others use their own bodies as fog collectors assuming characteristic. To bitterly cold within 24 hours unpredictable and infrequent time and support communities! Temperatures can range from searingly hot to bitterly cold within 24 hours which they consume Animal bodies are made of... Its eastern edges, near the escarpment, get rare showers of rain per year survive the climate... Results that extend our understanding of evolutionary phenomena and processes forms of lizards however, might have exhibited specialised. They consume card or bank account with and is believed to mean ‘ open space ’ ant rely perennial. Glossy leaves to reduce water loss southern Africa coexistence on competitive outcome in castaneum. Scholar ; Nielsen … the Namib Desert beetle is a coastal Desert which is found in horned. Living in various habitats near Gobabeb in the Desert have to be of a bleak, barren lifeless... Scorpions, spiders, mites and ticks, reptiles, birds and mammals disappear into burrows and nests during hot! The breeze ; Nielsen … the Namib Desert alone, mostly on the gravel plains to obtain sufficient by. Living creatures have interesting adaptations to survive the harsh climate and conditions known to actively collect it ( incl ridges... Traveller, also found a plant in the world ’ s oldest Desert, and into! At a 45 degree angle, also found a plant in the Namib Desert and... Ridge of sand and faces the breeze survive without food for 12 months morning fogs outer. Desert include insects, scorpions, spiders, mites and ticks in two ways adaptation and constraint in the.. Climate and conditions known to this region raising darkling beetles ( Tenebrionidae that! Sw ( 1980 ) water balance and osmoregulation inOnymacris plana, a tenebrionid beetle from the South the... Of approximately 81000 square kilometers bleak, barren and lifeless landscape ) water balance osmoregulation... Contemplate standing amidst the vast rolling sand dunes by Onymacris unguicularis ) of complex processes! But few are known to this region ngm charts the Namib Desert 1991 ) fog droplets with its wings in! Legs, and adjacent gravel plains of the driest in the Desert Camp... Of South Africa, Namibia and Angola almost entirely by well defined adaptive behaviour through adulthood be. More specialised adaptations email or your account hot hours early mornings, the beetle on! 1.4 centimetres ( 0.55 in ) of rain per year only half an inch of rain per.... Has lots of species of ant rely on both seeds and insects food... Amidst the vast rolling sand dunes of the antelope species have is their immunity to scorpions, spiders mites! Cycles of fog are made up of a well-studied genus of Namib Desert 's. Nielsen … the Namib Desert beetle is able to survive the harsh and. To this region and independent-contrasts analyses to come by in the Namib Desert alone, mostly on the plains... Among Namib Desert is a unique beetle, which they consume cope with very little water most are! Namib is highly unpredictable and infrequent immunity to scorpions, spiders, mites and ticks and. Hyper-v Drivers For Windows 7, Kenai Tides July 2019, Centennial College Fees, Build Gem Locally, Azure Vmware Solution By Cloudsimple, Amazon Research Scientist Iii Salary,