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Ice formation in the freeze tolerant alpine weta Hemideina maori hutton (Orthoptera; Stenopelmatidae).

Author(s) : RAMLOV H., WESTH P.

Type of article: Article

Summary

The New Zealand weta Hemideina maori is shown to tolerate freezing to -9 deg C for a minimum of 20 hours. Ice nucleation occurred at a core temperature of -0.8 to -2.5 deg C in animals exposed to -5 deg C and ice formation subsequently progressed at a rate of about 15% of the total bodywater per hour during the first 3-4 hours. The maximum ("equilibrium") ice content increased from 15% at -1 deg C to about 82% at -6 deg C, and no increase in ice content was observed upon further cooling. No correlation between ice content and mortality was observed, implying that lethal cryoinjury in Hemideina maori can be attributed to factors other than cellular dehydration and high solute concentration.

Details

  • Original title: Ice formation in the freeze tolerant alpine weta Hemideina maori hutton (Orthoptera; Stenopelmatidae).
  • Record ID : 1994-0566
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Cryo-Letters - vol. 14 - n. 3
  • Publication date: 1993/05
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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