A novel computational approach of image analysis to quantify behavioural response to heat shock in Chironomus Ramosus larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Abstract

.: A novel computational approach of image analysis to quantify behavioural response to heat shock in Chironomus ramosus larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) European Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol. ABSTRACTAll living cells respond to temperature stress through coordinated cellular, biochemical and molecular events known as "heat shock response" and its genetic basis has been found to be evolutionarily conserved. Despite marked advances in stress research, this ubiquitous heat shock response has never been analysed quantitatively at the whole organismal level using behavioural correlates. We have investigated behavioural response to heat shock in a tropical midge Chironomus ramosus Chaudhuri, Das and Sublette. The filter-feeding aquatic Chironomus larvae exhibit characteristic undulatory movement. This innate pattern of movement was taken as a behavioural parameter in the present study. We have developed a novel computer-aided image analysis tool "Chiro" for the quantification of behavioural responses to heat shock. Behavioural responses were quantified by recording the number of undulations performed by each larva per unit time at a given ambient temperature. Quantitative analysis of undulation frequency was carried out and this innate behavioural pattern was found to be modulated as a function of ambient temperature. Midge larvae are known to be bioindicators of aquatic environments. Therefore, the "Chiro" technique can be tested using other potential biomonitoring organisms obtained from natural aquatic habitats using undulatory motion as a behavioural parameter.

Comparative susceptibility of Chironomus and Drosophila to exposure to each and combinations of the following stressors: desiccation, heat stress and starvation

“…Heat stress was administered by transferring larvae of both D. melanogaster and C. ramosus to incubators at 37 °C and 40 °C, respectively, in order to subject them to heat stress. Induction of HSP70 as well as responses of Chironomus (Nath and Lakhotia 1989;Nath and Gharpure 2015) and Drosophila (Lindquist 1980) were the criteria used in the present study for indicating heat stress, which indicates it occurs at 40 °C in C. ramosus and 37 °C in D. melanogaster.…”

Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review

“…Within the tube, larva shows a characteristic undulating movement that helps it draw water current across the tube for filter-feeding and gaseous exchange (Armitage et al, 1995;Nath and Gharpure, 2015). Meticulous observations by Walshe (1951) have further shown that inside the tube, the larva spins another funnel-shaped net along the anterior opening to capture detritus particles and planktonic organisms from the flowing stream of water.…”