NepidaeNepidae is a family of exclusively aquatic Heteropteraninsects in the order Hemiptera. They are commonly called water scorpions for their superficial resemblance to scorpions, due to their raptorial forelegs and the presence of a long slender process at the posterior end of the abdomen, resembling a tail. There are 14 genera in the family, in two subfamilies, Nepinae and Ranatrinae.
Siphon (insect anatomy)A siphon is a tubular organ of the respiratory system of some insects that spend a significant amount of their time underwater, that serves as a breathing tube. The larvae of several kinds of insects, including mosquitoes, tabanid flies, and Belostomatidae, live in the water and breathe through a siphon. Some adult insects which spend considerable time underwater have an abdominal breathing tube.
Ranatra linearisRanatra linearis is a species of aquatic bug in the Nepidae family. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, and primarily found near aquatic plants in ponds, marshes and other freshwater habitats, but has exceptionally been recorded from hypersaline lakes and brackish lagoons.
TadpoleA tadpole or polliwog (also porwigle) is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found in adult amphibians, such as a lateral line, gills and swimming tails. As they undergo metamorphosis, they start to develop functional lungs for breathing air, and the diet of tadpoles changes drastically.
HemipteraOrder of insects often called true bugsHemiptera (; from Ancient Greek hemipterus 'half-winged') is an order of insects, commonly called true bugs, comprising more than 80,000 species within groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, assassin bugs, bed bugs, and shield bugs. They range in size from 1 mm (0.04 in) to around 15 cm (6 in), and share a common arrangement of piercing-sucking mouthparts.
CercotmetusCercotmetus is a genus of water bugs in the subfamily Ranatrinae ("water stick-insects"). The recorded distribution of this genus is from is from mainland Asia to New Guinea and northern Australia.
Arthropod legThe arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. Many of the terms used for arthropod leg segments (called podomeres) are of Latin origin, and may be confused with terms for bones: coxa (meaning hip, pl.: coxae), trochanter, femur (pl.: femora), tibia (pl.: tibiae), tarsus (pl.: tarsi), ischium (pl.: ischia), metatarsus, carpus, dactylus (meaning finger), patella (pl.: patellae).
ProboscisA proboscis () is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. In invertebrates, the term usually refers to tubular mouthparts used for feeding and sucking. In vertebrates, a proboscis is an elongated nose or snout.
ZooplanktonHeterotrophic protistan or metazoan members of the plankton ecosystem Zooplankton sample including several species of copepods (1–5), gastropodlarva (6) doliolids (7), fish eggs (8), and decapod larva (9) (Photo by Iole Di Capua)Zooplankton are the heterotrophic component of the planktonic community, having to consume other organisms to thrive.
Hypersaline lakeA hypersaline lake is a landlocked body of water that contains significant concentrations of sodium chloride, brines, and other salts, with saline levels surpassing those of ocean water (3.5%, i.e. 35 grams per litre or 0.29 pounds per US gallon). Specific microbial species can thrive in high-salinity environments that are inhospitable to most lifeforms, including some that are thought to contribute to the color of pink lakes.
GenusGenus (; pl.: genera) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus. E.g. Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera onca (jaguar) are two species within the genus Panthera.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.