Description of Digestive Tract of Anisops Sardea Herr schaff Indian Back Swimmer

Abstract

The back swimmer, Anisops sardea Herr-Schäffer (Notonectidae), was collected for morphological and bioecological investigation from July to November from various ponds, ditches, and canals in Kanpur and surrounding regions. The species is easily identifiable by its oblong, convex body; large compound eyes; short four-jointed antennae; four-segmented rostrum; and distinct triangular scutellum. Additional diagnostic traits include anterior legs inserted near the posterior margin of the pronotum, a moderately long pronotum, the last antennal segment being much shorter than the preceding one, and posterior tarsi lacking unguiculi. These insects, commonly known as water boatmen or back swimmers, swim on their backs using long, oar-like hind legs. Highly predaceous in nature, they inhabit the margins of freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and streams throughout India and can be easily collected using a net. In the present study, a detailed description of the digestive tract of this species has been documented, highlighting its structural organization and functional significance in relation to its predatory habits.