始红蝽越冬聚集行为对其能量代谢的影响

Effect of overwintering aggregation on energy metabolism in the firebug,Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera:Pyrrhocoridae)

聚集行为是动物适应不良环境的一种生态对策。始红蝽Pyrrhocoris apterus在成虫滞育越冬期间具有显著的聚集行为。采用LI-6400型光合仪测定了5种聚集度(分别用1头、5头、10头、20头和50头的群体大小表示)下始红蝽的呼吸量,通过呼吸量计算得到各聚集度始红蝽的呼吸速率(rate of respiration,Rr)及能量代谢速率(rate of metabolism,Rm),旨在明确聚集行为是否能够对始红蝽越冬时的能量代谢产生影响。结果表明:不同聚集度间始红蝽的Rm值存在显著性差异;并且随聚集度的增加,Rm值与聚集度呈显著负相关,Rm值依次为0.052,0.044,0.041,0.037和0.033W/g。结果说明聚集行为可以有效降低始红蝽新陈代谢速率,有利于种群成功越冬。

Aggregation is an ecological strategy for some animals adapting various adversities. Pyrrhocoris apterus will aggregate significantly during overwintering by adult diapause. In order to make out whether the aggregation affects rates of energy metabolism, we have directly measured the respiration of P. apterus with five different aggregation degrees using the LI-COR LI-6400, and calculated the rates of respiration （Rr） and the rates of energy metabolism （Rm）. The five different aggregation degrees were shown by five different group sizes of the firebugs （1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 individuals）. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the values of Rm among the five different aggregation levels. The values of Rm and the aggregation degrees had a negative correlation relationship. The values of Rm were 0.052, 0.044, 0.041, 0.037 and 0.033 W/g, respectively. The results suggested that aggregation of the firebugs can lower the metabolic rates, which may be advantageous for their overwintering successfully.