Summary
Three methods of fog-water uptake have been observed in three tribes of Namib desert dune tenebrionid beetles, Adesmiini, Eurychorini and Zophosini. The methods used correlate with distribution and gross morphology of each species but cut across phylogenetic affinities. Of the three methods described, none involve obvious fine anatomical or physical adaptations of the beetles for fog-water uptake. Rather, the beetles have evolved specific behavioural patterns for drinking water condensed on vegetation, their own dorsum or sand.
Use of fog-water necessitates surface activity at times when surface temperatures and wind velocities are not optimal for these diurnal or crepuscular species. Behavioural adaptation has enabled these beetles to use irregular and unpredictable fogs as a moisture source.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burrage, B.R.: Comparative ecology of behaviour of Chamaeleo pumilus pumilus (Gmelin) and C. namaquensis A. Smith (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae). Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 61, 1–158 (1973)
Edney, E.B.: Some aspects of water balance in tenebrionid beetles and a thysanuran from the Namib Desert of South Africa. Physiol. Zool. 44, 61–76 (1971)
Edney, E.B.: Water balance in land arthropods. 282 pp. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1977
Hamilton, W.J. III.: Life's Color Code. 283 pp. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company 1973
Hamilton, W.J. III, Seely, M.K.: Fog basking by the Namib Desert beetle, Onymacris unguicularis. Nature, 262, 284–285 (1976)
Koch, C.: Some aspects of abundant life in the vegetationless sand of the Namib Desert Dunes. S.W.Afr. Sci. Soc. J. 15, 8–34, 77–92 (1961)
Koch, C.: The Tenebrionidae of Southern Africa XXXI. Comprehensive notes on the tenebrionid fauna of the Namib Desert. Ann. Trans. Mus. 24, 61–106 (1962)
Louw, G.N.: The role of advective fog in the water economy of certain Namib Desert animals. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond. No. 31, 297–314 (1972)
Louw, G.N., Hamilton, W.J. III: Physiological and behavioural ecology of the ultrapsammophilous Namib Desert tenebrionid, Lepidochora argentogrisea. Madoqua II, 1, 87–95 (1972)
Penrith, M.-L.: The species of Onymacris Allard (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Cimbebasia (A) 4, 47–97 (1975)
Penrith, M.-L.: The Zophosini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of western southern Africa. Cimbebasia (Windhoek) Mem. No. 3. 291 pp (1977)
Seely, M.K.: The Namib Dune Desert: an unusual ecosystem. J. Arid Environ. 1, 117–128 (1978a)
Seely, M.K.: Grassland productivity: the desert end of the curve. S. Afr. J. Sci. 74, (8), 295–297 (1978b)
Seely, M.K., de Vos, M.P., Louw, G.N.: Fog imbibition, satellite fauna and unusual leaf structure in a Namib Desert dune plant Trianthema hereroensis. S. Afr. J. Sci. 73, (6), 169–172 (1977)
Seely, M.K., Hamilton, W.J. III: Fog catchment sand trenches constructed by tenebrionid beetles, Lepidochora, from the Namib Desert. Science 193, 484–486 (1976)
Tschinkel, W.R.: A comparative study of the chemical defensive system of tenebrionid beetles. Defensive behaviour and ancillary features. Ann. Ent. Soc. America 68, (3), 439–453 (1975)
van Zinderen Bakker, E.M.: The origin and palaeoenvironment of the Namib Desert biome. J. Biogeogr. 2, 65–73 (1975)
van Zinderen Bakker, E.M.: The evolution of late-Quaternary Palaeoclimates of Southern Africa. Palaeoecology of Africa 9, 1–45 (1976)
Wellington, J.H.: Southern Africa, a geographical study. 2 vols C.U.P., London (1955)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Seely, M.K. Irregular fog as a water source for desert dune beetles. Oecologia 42, 213–227 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344858
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344858