Sexually dimorphic tegumental gland openings in Laniatores (Arachnida, Opiliones), with new data on 23 species

Sexually dimorphic glands often release sexual pheromones both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Species of Laniatores (Arachnida, Opiliones) seem to depend on chemical communication but few studies have addressed this topic. In this study, we review the literature for the Phalangida and present new...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of morphology (1931) 2010-06, Vol.271 (6), p.641-653
Main Authors: Willemart, Rodrigo H., Pérez-González, Abel, Farine, Jean-Pierre, Gnaspini, Pedro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Animals
Arachnida
Arachnida - physiology
Arachnida - ultrastructure
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Chemical communication
Classification
Data processing
Dyspnoi
Epidermis - physiology
Epidermis - ultrastructure
Eupnoi
Exocrine Glands - physiology
Exocrine Glands - ultrastructure
Extremities - anatomy & histology
Extremities - physiology
Female
Femur
Glands
Laniatores
Leg
Male
Metatarsus
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Opiliones
Patella
pheromone
Pheromones - secretion
Phylogeny
Reviews
Secretions
Setae
Sex Characteristics
Sex pheromone
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
Sexual dimorphism
Species Specificity
Tibia
Trochanter
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Summary:Sexually dimorphic glands often release sexual pheromones both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Species of Laniatores (Arachnida, Opiliones) seem to depend on chemical communication but few studies have addressed this topic. In this study, we review the literature for the Phalangida and present new data for 23 species of Laniatores. In 16 taxa, we found previously undescribed sexually dimorphic glandular openings on the femur, patella, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs I and metatarsus of legs III and IV. For the other species, we provide scanning electron micrographs of previously undescribed sexually dimorphic setae and pegs located on swollen regions of the legs. We also list additional species in which males have swollen regions on the legs, including the tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs I, trochanter and tibia of legs II, femur, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs III, and metatarsus and tarsus of legs IV. The function and biological role of the secretions released by these glands are discussed. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0362-2525
1097-4687
DOI:10.1002/jmor.10822