apneustic

English

Apneustic larva of chironomid midge, showing the absence of spiracles along the length of its flank

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) and πνευστικός (pneustikós).

Adjective

apneustic (not comparable)

1. (pathology) Of or relating to apneusis.
2. (arthropodology) in tracheal systems: having no open spiracles, as occurs in larvae of certain aquatic insects.
   • Davies, R. G. (1988) Outlines of Entomology, 7th edition, London: Chapman and Hall, →ISBN, page 73:

     The holopneustic type of [tracheal] system has all ten pairs of spiracles open, ... while the apneustic type has no functional spiracles,
     respiration occurring through the general body surface or gills. The tracheal systems with few or no open spiracles
     are found in aquatic and endoparasitic insects ... non-functional spiracles are closed or reduced to minute scars,
     and each is connected to the longitudinal tracheae by a solid stigmatic cord. The latter helps to anchor the tracheal system in position
     and serves to pull out the old tracheal linings when the insect moults.

Translations

of or relating to apneusis

• Finnish: apneustinen
• Portuguese: apnêustico

References

• https://useful_english.enacademic.com/163778/apneustic