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Alternative Life-History Styles of Animals pp 293–316Cite as

Alternative life-history styles in Simuliidae (Insecta, Diptera)

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Part of the book series: Perspectives in vertebrate science ((PIVS,volume 6))

Synopsis

Blackflies, which are worldwide in distribution, are characterized by their extreme morphological homogeneity and the reliance of their subimaginal stages on an existence in running water. Life-history characteristics in Simuliidae follow either an altricial or precocial pattern, but in many species combinations of both exist. Life-history attributes in 12 simuliid species were selected and identified as following a generalised or specialised pattern. Mating behaviour ranges from the incidental contact of males and females near their emergence sites to the highly specialised formation of male mating swarms. The size and number of eggs in Simuliidae ranges from a large number of small eggs and several gonotrophic cycles in the more altricial, to a low number of large eggs and a single gonotrophic cycle in the more precocial life histories. Studies on northern hemisphere Simuliidae have revealed that the genera considered to be more primitive phylogenetically are usually univoltine, whereas the more advanced species of Simulium exhibit bi- and multivoltine life histories. In the higher, colder latitudes specialised reproductive life styles and autogeny predominate. In the temperate latitudes generalist life-history attributes are more common. Temperature stability and predictability have played a major role in the development of various life-history styles in Simuliidae. Egg scattering and larval drifting behaviour enable Simulium chutteri, a mammalophilic multivoltine species, to disperse rapidly into newly inundated habitats. A longer-lived winter generation with larger semaphoronts and autogenous egg development is, however, indicative of an alternative precocial life style. The more advanced genus Simulium appears to be more predisposed to forming insipid or sibling species complexes than the more primitive but specialised genera; most of the ‘plague’ simuliid species belong to the former category. Considering that both precocial and altricial life-history styles for a number of attributes can be found in a single species, it would appear that such characters can be coopted to cope with a changing environment. Life-history alternatives can thus be considered as exaptations rather than adaptations (Gould & Vrba 1982).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Albany Museum, Somerset Street, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Ferdinand C. de Moor

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  1. Ferdinand C. de Moor
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  1. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Michael N. Bruton

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© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

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de Moor, F.C. (1989). Alternative life-history styles in Simuliidae (Insecta, Diptera). In: Bruton, M.N. (eds) Alternative Life-History Styles of Animals. Perspectives in vertebrate science, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2605-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2605-9_15

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  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7675-3

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