鞭蛛（蛛形纲：无鞭目）的拒水角质层。

The water-repellent cerotegument of whip-spiders (Arachnida: Amblypygi).

作者信息

Wolff Jonas O, Seiter Michael, Gorb Stanislav N

机构信息

Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany; Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.

Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel Strasse 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria.

出版信息

Arthropod Struct Dev. 2017 Jan;46(1):116-129. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.010. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

DOI:10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.010

PMID:27751783

Abstract

The cuticle of arthropods is usually composed of layers of a chitin-protein-microcomposite, a proteinaceous epicuticle and a thin lipid coating. However, in some instances a thick cement layer (cerotegument) covers the cuticle and may produce elaborate microstructures. This has previously been described for millipedes and mites. Here we report the previously unknown presence of a superhydrophobic cerotegument in whip-spiders (Ambypygi) and reveal its variation in ultrastructure and water-repellence between species. We discuss the relevance of found micro-morphological and physical characters for taxonomy and phylogenetics of this group, and the potential biological functions.

摘要

节肢动物的角质层通常由几丁质 - 蛋白质 - 微复合材料层、蛋白质表皮和一层薄脂质涂层组成。然而，在某些情况下，一层厚厚的黏合层（蜡皮）覆盖在角质层上，并可能产生精细的微观结构。此前在千足虫和螨虫中已有相关描述。在此，我们报告鞭蛛（无鞭目）中一种此前未知的超疏水蜡皮的存在，并揭示其在不同物种间超微结构和防水性的差异。我们讨论了所发现的微观形态和物理特征对于该类群分类学和系统发育学的相关性以及潜在的生物学功能。