Influence of temperature and light–dark cycle on hatching of Eylais extendens

Abstract

Little research has been done on egg diapause and the embryonic development of water mites. The aim of this study was to check the impact of temperature and periods of light on hatching of larvae of Eylais extendens. Three batches of eggs which were spawned on 30 July were placed at one of three temperatures (4, 10 and 20 °C) and two periods of light (7 and 14 h per day). Egg hatching (both, percentage of hatched larvae and rate of hatching) was found to differ between 4 versus 10 °C and between 4 versus 20 °C, but not between 10 versus 20 °C. The periods of light had no influence on hatching. This synchronization of hatching, enabling the eggs to emerge from diapause in the spring, could be considered an evolutionary adaptation aimed at postponing hatching of late-spawned eggs until a time allowing for completion of the full development cycle, including the parasitic larval stage.