What is one method water bugs use to breathe atmospheric air underwater?
Answer
Trapping a bubble of air under their hindwings (elytra)
Since water bugs are aquatic insects that respire atmospheric oxygen rather than dissolved oxygen through gills, they employ specialized methods to carry air underwater. One primary technique involves trapping a thin film or bubble of air underneath their hindwings, which are modified forewings often referred to as elytra in a general sense for this group. This trapped air bubble functions as a temporary reservoir, allowing the insect to remain submerged for extended periods while breathing until the stored supply is depleted or they need to surface again for replenishment.
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