The Utilization of Water Colloids and Material in Solution by Aquatic Animals with Especial Reference to Mosquito Larvae

Abstract

A review is presented of part of the literature on the utilization of material in solution by aquatic animals. Special reference is made to mosquito larvae and evidence is submitted for the utilization of material in true solution as well as colloids by both anophelines and culicines. A discussion of absorption through the skin is given and the organic content of natural waters is considered, with brief mention of the mechanism of absorption of such material. Many aquatic animals probably utilize organic material in true solution as well as water colloids, but this method should be regarded as supplementary to other feeding habits; in other words, our theories of nutrition of aquatic animals might well assume a position midway between the extremes of Putter and of Lipschutz. Direct absorption of these materials by the cells of the intestine is believed to be of greater importance, in at least the case of mosquito larvae, than cutaneous absorption.