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Ultraviolet radiation tolerance of the Antarctic springtail, Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni

Part of: Antarctic Science International Bursary collection: Biosciences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2011

T.C. Hawes ,
C.J. Marshall  and
D.A. Wharton
T.C. Hawes*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
C.J. Marshall
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
D.A. Wharton
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

This is the first study to examine the tolerance of Antarctic springtails (Collembola) to ultraviolet radiation (UV). Survival of extended attenuated exposure to sunlight was examined for both individuals and aggregations of the species Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni Carpenter over a 10 day period. Both individuals and aggregations demonstrated significantly higher survival and moult rates from control treatments kept in the dark to those exposed to UV. A photo-inhibitive element to moulting is indicated that may function to protect post-ecdysial springtails when their emergent cuticles are more sensitive to the external environment. DNA damage was measured in springtails directly exposed to sunlight for 5 h on a clear sunny day. Significant differences were found between treated animals and controls kept in the dark. There was some reduction of damage 12 and 24 h after exposure, when springtails had been placed in the dark to recover. This indicates the up-regulation of DNA repair mechanisms, with the 12 h treatment in particular showing no significant difference with controls. In addition to providing a first look at UV tolerance in these soil arthropods, these findings recommend employing strict protocols for collections of sample material for subsequent biological analysis in order to minimize the interactive effects of photo-damage.

Keywords

CollembolaDNA damagemoultingraftingUV-B
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , 28 February 2012 , pp. 147 - 153
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2011

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