DETERMINATION OF INORGANIC ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN TWO LACCOPHILUS SPECIES (DYTISCIDAE: COLEOPTERA) BY ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE (WDXRF) SPECTROMETRY

摘要

In this investigation, concentrations of 39 different inorganic elements in Laccophilus minutus and 30 elements in L. hyalinus collected in different regions of four cities in Turkey were measured by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry. Statistical significance was assigned at P < 0.05. From our results, there are differences in the concentrations of some elements. The concentrations of K, Ca and Br were found to differ significantly between L. hyalinus and L. minutus. In addition, Na, Mn and Fe concentrations for L. hyalinus and Ge for L. minutus were significantly different between males and females. As a result, there are statistically important differences in both compositions and amounts of the elements that are stored in the body of these two Laccophilus species and their sexes. The difference in compositions may result from the metabolic activity in the sexes, and between the two species. But it must be also considered that the differences of element content and composition of insect bodies depend on the element content of their habitats. From our results, knowledge about the element composition of an area is easily obtained by making an analysis of the elements of the bodies of the insects, specifically dominant predators like Laccophilus species. In addition, we suggest that it is possible to refine the wastes which contain some heavy metals, by using water insects as well as Laccophilus species. We also hypothesize that Sn and Sr elements can have a role in beetle metabolism, since the elements could be determined in these two species collected in most of the habitats. But there is a need for biochemical studies to find out what roles the elements play in the bodies.