1. Long and Hairy Legs: The water boatman has elongated legs covered with dense hairs. These hairs create a water-repellent surface, forming a cushion that traps air beneath the legs. This air cushion reduces the water's surface tension and allows the insect to distribute its weight evenly, facilitating its movement on the water's surface.
2. Hydrophobic Body Coating: The water boatman's body is coated with a waxy, hydrophobic substance that repels water. This coating further reduces the insect's surface tension and prevents it from sinking into the water.
3. Flattened Body Shape: Water boatman have flattened, streamlined bodies that further reduce water resistance. This streamlined shape helps the insect move swiftly and effortlessly across the water's surface.
4. Specialized Mid-Leg: Unlike other aquatic insects that have oars or paddles on their rear legs, water boatmen possess specialized mid-leg. These legs are longer and bear long, robust bristles. These bristles help the insect "row" and move forward on the surface of the water, much like oars on a boat.
5. Long Abdomen: Water boatmen have a long and narrow abdomen that can extend beyond the water's surface. This extension allows the insect to easily access oxygen from the atmosphere while remaining mostly submerged in the water, camouflaged from potential predators.
6. Respiratory Snorkel: The water boatman has a snorkel-like structure called the respiratory siphon or breathing tube, located at the tip of its abdomen. This snorkel allows the insect to breathe while its body remains submerged in water, enabling it to stay underwater for extended periods.
7. Strong Claw at the Tip of Abdomen: The water boatman's abdomen ends in a strong, hook-like claw. This claw is used to anchor the insect to the surface of plants, twigs, or other structures to prevent being carried away by water currents.
8. Hydrodynamic Shape: The overall hydrodynamic shape of water boatman, combined with its surface adaptations, allows it to move efficiently across the water's surface, making it an expert water strider.
These adaptations collectively enable water boatmen to navigate and thrive in their aquatic habitats, exploiting the water's surface as a unique niche for survival and reproduction. Their ability to walk and glide on water makes them fascinating creatures to observe in freshwater environments, where they can often be found congregating near the edges of ponds and streams.