Survival strategies in polar terrestrial arthropods

• Published in: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society
• Main Author: Block, William
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Wiley 1980
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Alaskozetes antarcticus; Antarc*; antarcticus; Mite
• Online Access: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/524869/; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.1980.tb00095.x

Three components of the survival strategy of a terrestrial Antarctic mite, Alaskozetes antarcticus (Acari: Cryptostigmata) are considered: overwintering survival, energetics and life history. Supercooling is an important feature of its cold tolerance, whilst elevation of standard metabolism allows activity at low temperatures, both of which contribute tcTa long development and maximum survival of individuals in the population. These are facets of the overall survival strategy evolved by such a species in response to the Antarctic terrestrial environment, but which may be widespread in polar invertebrates.