Pseudoscorpions form phoretic associations with a wide range of arthropods, including at least 44 families of insects and three families of arachnids.The present work brings up to date phoretic associations between pseudoscorpions and different arthropods and discusses the long-standing controversy over whether this behavior is basically a predatory response or adapted solely for dispersal. That phoresy in pseudoscorpions is of long standing and obligatory in many cases is demonstrated by its continuance for millions of years, as shown by the fossil record. A member of the Chthoniidae attached to a moth in Baltic amber is reported for the first time.
We performed a study of the nonlinear optical properties of chemically purified chitin and insect cuticle using two-photon excited autofluorescence (TPEF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. Excitation spectrum, fluorescence time, polarization sensitivity, and bleaching speed were measured. We have found that the maximum autofluorescence signal requires an excitation wavelength below 850 nm. At longer wavelengths, we were able to penetrate more than 150-um deep into the sample through the chitinous structures. The excitation power was kept below 10 mW (at the sample) in order to diminish bleaching. The SHG from the purified chitin was confirmed by spectral- and time-resolved measurements. Two cave-dwelling, depigmented, insect species were analyzed and three-dimensional images of the cuticular structures were obtained.
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