Visiting Scientist Feature: Dr. Tran Anh Duc

POSTED ON BY Clarisse Tan

Last week, we hosted Dr. Tran Anh Duc from the Hanoi University of Science. Dr. Tran is an entomologist focusing on aquatic and semi-aquatic true bugs, with a career spanning 15 years.

Dr. Tran is no stranger to LKCNHM, having pursued his PhD under the advisory of the Head of the Museum, Prof. Peter Ng. Dr. Tran is also an Associate Editor (Entomology) for the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.

Dr. Tran was here as a co-instructor for the Biodiversity of True Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) course that was held 26–29 October at LKCNHM. After the course ended, he stayed on for a few more days to look at Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha specimens in the Zoological Reference Collection (ZRC).

Insects in the Gerromorpha infraorder are also known as semi-aquatic bugs that live on the water surface. They have long, thin legs that are buoyant and allow them to ‘skate’ over the surface of the water, without sinking in. The buoyancy of their legs is due to thousands of little hairs with little groves that trap air, thus increasing water resistance and allowing them to keep afloat.

On the other hand, insects in the Nepomorpha infraorder are known as true water bugs that live in water. In order to spend significant amounts of time underwater, insects from this infraorder develop interesting breathing adaptations.

For example, insects from the family Notonectidae, commonly known as backswimmers, have a portable ‘oxygen tank’ that allow them to breathe underwater, similar to that of scuba divers. The ‘oxygen tank’ is found on the underside of the abdomen, and is formed through the accumulation of air bubbles trapped within two channels lined with tiny hairs. Also, other insects – such as those from the family Nepidae – have long breathing tubes (siphons) that extend out from their abdomen, allowing them to take in oxygen from the surface of the water.

During his visit, Dr. Tran examined the morphology of Gerridae (water skaters), Veliidae (riffle bugs), and Nepidae (water stick insects) specimens in the ZRC, as part of his research. He also identified Heteroptera specimens in the ZRC that were previously unidentified.

We wish Dr. Tran all the best in his research, and hope to see him again soon.