Structure and functions of the ventral tube of the clover springtail Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae)

Springtails (Collembola) are unique in Hexapoda for bearing a ventral tube (collophore) on the first abdominal segment. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the functions of the ventral tube, its fine structure has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this paper, we observed the ju...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2019-01, Vol.9 (1), p.897-897, Article 897
Main Authors: Chen, Chong-Guang, Chen, Tong, Hua, Bao-Zhen, Wan, Tao-Ruan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
13/105
631/181/2475
631/601/1466
Abdomen
Alliances
Collembola
Humanities and Social Sciences
Microscopy
multidisciplinary
Papillae
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sminthurus viridis
Structure-function relationships
Ultrastructure
Vesicles
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Summary:Springtails (Collembola) are unique in Hexapoda for bearing a ventral tube (collophore) on the first abdominal segment. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the functions of the ventral tube, its fine structure has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this paper, we observed the jumping behavior of the clover springtail Sminthurus viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) and dissected the ventral tube using light microscopy to elucidate the fine structure and the possible function of the ventral tube. The results show that a pair of eversible vesicles can be extended from the apical opening of the ventral tube. The eversible vesicles are furnished with numerous small papillae, and can be divided into a basal part and a distal part. The eversible vesicles have a central lumen connected to the tiny papillae and leading to the body cavity. The eversible vesicles can reach any part of the body, and may serve as following functions: (a) absorbing moisture; (b) uptaking water; (c) cleaning the body surface; and (d) fastening the body on a smooth surface.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-37354-4