Neotropical harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) use sexually dimorphic glands to spread chemicals in the environment

Autor(es)

Fernandes, Nathalia da Silva ^[1] ; Willemart, Rodrigo Hirata ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Artes Ciencias & Humanidades, Lab Ecol Sensorial & Comportamento Artropodes, BR-03828000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: COMPTES RENDUS BIOLOGIES; v. 337, n. 4, p. 269-275, APR 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 11

Resumo

Sexually dimorphic glands have convergently appeared in animals and are often responsible for the production of pheromones. In the suborder Laniatores of the order Opiliones (Arachnida), glands of such type are widespread, but there is not a single paper on how they are used. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and a behavioral approach, we describe glandular openings and how these glands are used, in the harvestmen Gryne perlata and Gryne coccinelloides (Cosmetidae). Males of these two species have glandular openings on the metatarsi of legs I and on the metatarsi IV. Males were shown rubbing the glands of the metatarsi I against their other legs, whereas glands on the metatarsi IV are gently touched on the substrate or rubbed either against other legs, or against the substrate. Not all behaviors were seen in both species. (C) 2014 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/00915-0 - Comunicação química em opiliões (Arachnida, Opiliones): morfologia, comportamento e química
• Beneficiário: Rodrigo Hirata Willemart
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores