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

Jonas O. Wolff; Michael Seiter; Stanislav N. Gorb

doi:10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.010

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

Jonas O. Wolff^*, Michael Seiter, Stanislav N. Gorb

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	116-129
Number of pages	14
Journal	Arthropod Structure and Development
Volume	46
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.010
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2017

Keywords

Amblypygi
Anti-wetting
Arachnida
Colloid
Plastron
Surface coating

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10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.010

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AB - 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.

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KW - Colloid

KW - Plastron

KW - Surface coating

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

Abstract

Keywords

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