Unlike other amphibious creatures that can survive underwater on stored oxygen but must come back up for air, these caterpillars can spend several weeks without ever breaking the surface, according to the paper, which was published online on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
It isn't yet clear how the insects do it. Rubinoff and co-worker Patrick Schmitz of the University of Hawaii did not find any water-blocking stopper over the caterpillars' tracheae or evidence of gills. The animals drowned quickly when kept in standing water, so they seem to need the higher levels of oxygen present in running water, and probably absorb it directly through pores in their body, the scientists said.
Sunday, Jan 25th
Last update09:56:41 AM GMT
Headlines
She navigated segregation to become an esteemed mathematician — and today, her work helps billions of...
NASA is cutting short a mission at the International Space Station due to a medical issue...
Scientists may have discovered an explanation for a cosmic mystery uncovered by the James Webb Space...
Three more Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, are now marooned in space following the successful return of...
