Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications
Abstract Background In the context of evolutionary arthopodial transformations, centipede ultimate legs exhibit a plethora of morphological modifications and behavioral adaptations. Many species possess significantly elongated, thickened, or pincer-like ultimate legs. They are frequently sexually di...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Zoological Letters |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40851-018-0115-x |
| _version_ | 1818505612348096512 |
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| author | Matthes Kenning Vanessa Schendel Carsten H. G. Müller Andy Sombke |
| author_facet | Matthes Kenning Vanessa Schendel Carsten H. G. Müller Andy Sombke |
| author_sort | Matthes Kenning |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In the context of evolutionary arthopodial transformations, centipede ultimate legs exhibit a plethora of morphological modifications and behavioral adaptations. Many species possess significantly elongated, thickened, or pincer-like ultimate legs. They are frequently sexually dimorphic, indicating a role in courtship and mating. In addition, glandular pores occur more commonly on ultimate legs than on walking legs, indicating a role in secretion, chemical communication, or predator avoidance. In this framework, this study characterizes the evolutionarily transformed ultimate legs in Lithobius forficatus in comparison with regular walking legs. Results A comparative analysis using macro-photography, SEM, μCT, autofluorescence, backfilling, and 3D-reconstruction illustrates that ultimate legs largely resemble walking legs, but also feature a series of distinctions. Substantial differences are found with regard to aspects of the configuration of specific podomeres, musculature, abundance of epidermal glands, typology and distribution of epidermal sensilla, and architecture of associated nervous system structures. Conclusion In consideration of morphological and behavioral characteristics, ultimate legs in L. forficatus primarily serve a defensive, but also a sensory function. Moreover, morphologically coherent characteristics in the organization of the ultimate leg versus the antenna-associated neuromere point to constructional constraints in the evolution of primary processing neuropils. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:53:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e2c8794b3efa4fbcbd55eeefb7c4bd35 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-306X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:53:15Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Zoological Letters |
| spelling | doaj.art-e2c8794b3efa4fbcbd55eeefb7c4bd352022-12-22T01:32:07ZengBMCZoological Letters2056-306X2019-01-015111810.1186/s40851-018-0115-xComparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implicationsMatthes Kenning0Vanessa Schendel1Carsten H. G. Müller2Andy Sombke3Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and MuseumCytology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and MuseumGeneral and Systematic Zoology, University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and MuseumCytology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and MuseumAbstract Background In the context of evolutionary arthopodial transformations, centipede ultimate legs exhibit a plethora of morphological modifications and behavioral adaptations. Many species possess significantly elongated, thickened, or pincer-like ultimate legs. They are frequently sexually dimorphic, indicating a role in courtship and mating. In addition, glandular pores occur more commonly on ultimate legs than on walking legs, indicating a role in secretion, chemical communication, or predator avoidance. In this framework, this study characterizes the evolutionarily transformed ultimate legs in Lithobius forficatus in comparison with regular walking legs. Results A comparative analysis using macro-photography, SEM, μCT, autofluorescence, backfilling, and 3D-reconstruction illustrates that ultimate legs largely resemble walking legs, but also feature a series of distinctions. Substantial differences are found with regard to aspects of the configuration of specific podomeres, musculature, abundance of epidermal glands, typology and distribution of epidermal sensilla, and architecture of associated nervous system structures. Conclusion In consideration of morphological and behavioral characteristics, ultimate legs in L. forficatus primarily serve a defensive, but also a sensory function. Moreover, morphologically coherent characteristics in the organization of the ultimate leg versus the antenna-associated neuromere point to constructional constraints in the evolution of primary processing neuropils.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40851-018-0115-xChilopodaEvolutionmicroCTNeuroanatomyNervous systemScanning electron microscopy |
| spellingShingle | Matthes Kenning Vanessa Schendel Carsten H. G. Müller Andy Sombke Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications Zoological Letters Chilopoda Evolution microCT Neuroanatomy Nervous system Scanning electron microscopy |
| title | Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications |
| title_full | Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications |
| title_fullStr | Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications |
| title_short | Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications |
| title_sort | comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede lithobius forficatus myriapoda with functional implications |
| topic | Chilopoda Evolution microCT Neuroanatomy Nervous system Scanning electron microscopy |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40851-018-0115-x |
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