Cerotegument microstructure of whip spiders (Amblypygi: Euamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996) reveals characters for systematics from family to species level. (7th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seiter, Michael; Schwaha, Thomas; Prendini, Lorenzo; Gorb, Stanislav N.; Wolff, Jonas O.
• Is Part Of: Journal of morphology. Volume 283:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 445
• Publication Date: 2022-02-07
• Subjects: Charinidae -- Charontidae -- exoskeleton -- Phrynichidae -- Phrynidae -- surface coating; Morphology -- Periodicals; Physiology -- Periodicals; Anatomy -- Periodicals; 571.3
• DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21452
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-2525

Abstract

Abstract: Like other arthropods, whip spiders of the arachnid order Amblypygi Thorell, 1883 protect themselves against external environmental influences. In this taxon, in addition to the epicuticle, the outermost layer of the exoskeleton, a cement layer (cerotegument) with superhydrophobic properties is deposited over certain body parts. Due to the high level of interspecific variation, the cerotegument structure and the morphology of its associated gland openings have been suggested to be informative for whip spider systematics. The first comparative study of the cerotegument is presented herein, based on a survey across 4 families, 16 genera, and 62 species of Euamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996, the suborder comprising all extant whip spiders except the rare monotypic family Paracharontidae Weygoldt, 1996. Results confirmed that the morphology of the colloidal particles and their assembly on cement globules differ considerably among taxa, but that the level of variation differs among lineages. Interspecific variation in cerotegument ultrastructure was highest among species of Neoamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996, making it an informative character in this clade. Evolutionary trends and intraspecific variation in the structure of the amblypygid cerotegument are briefly discussed. Abstract : Schematic illustration of the cuticular surface of whip spiders: at left, cuticula only; at right, with cerotegument and mycobiome (i.e., typical inter‐moult state).