Editing Gerridae (section)

===Thorax===
The [[Thorax (insect anatomy)|thorax]] of water striders is generally long, narrow, and small in size. It generally ranges from 1.6&nbsp;mm to 3.6&nbsp;mm long across the species, with some bodies more cylindrical or rounder than others.<ref name="Slater"/> The [[pronotum]], or outer layer of the thorax, of the water strider can be either shiny or dull depending on the species, and covered with microhairs to help repel water.<ref name="Merrit"/> The abdomen of a water strider can have several segments and contains both the metasternum and omphalium.<ref name="Merrit"/>