The integument in troglobitic and epigean woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea): a comparative ultrastructural study

Vittori, Miloš; Štrus, Jasna

doi:10.1007/s00435-014-0232-9

Cited by 21 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The complexity of respiratory organs may be involved: in particular, the simplicity of respiratory fields in O. asellus may explain its high water loss rate, compared to the elaborate pleopodal lungs in P. scaber and A. vulgare (Schmidt and Wägele, ). Additionally, the thickness of the isopod cuticle, which is a determinant of body permeability (see Fick's law), may also vary between body regions and species (Csonka et al, ; Vittori and Štrus, ) and may explain the differences observed between the three species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of this and because they are particularly abundant in soils, during the past century, woodlice have been the focus of numerous studies and discussions about their terrestrialization (Allee, 1926;Edney, 1954Edney, , 1968Cloudsley-Thompson, 1988;Warburg, 1993;Hornung, 2011). Notably, these studies have highlighted that oniscidean physiological adaptations to land are poor in contrast to those of insects, particularly due to their negligible amounts of cuticular lipids (Hadley and Quinlan, 1984;Compere, 1991;Vittori and Strus, 2014) and their lack of a tracheal system (Schmidt and W€ agele, 2001). Consequently, the rate of water is important in woodlice, primarily because of their passive ventral and dorsal cuticular transpiration (Edney, 1951;Dias et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Body shape in terrestrial isopods: A morphological mechanism to resist desiccation?

Broly

Devigne

Deneubourg

2015

Journal of Morphology

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Woodlice are fully terrestrial crustaceans and are known to be sensitive to water loss. Their halfellipsoidal shapes represent simple models in which to investigate theoretical assumptions about organism morphology and rates of exchange with the environment. We examine the influence of surface area and mass on the desiccation rates in three eco-morphologically different species of woodlice: Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber, and Armadillidium vulgare. Our analysis indicates that the rate of water loss of an individual depends on both the initial weight and the body surface area. Interspecific and intraspecific analyses show that the mass-specific water loss rate of a species decreases along with the ratio of surface area to volume. In particular, we show that body shape explains the difference in mass-specific water loss rates between A. vulgare and P. scaber. This observation also explains several known ecological patterns, for example, the distribution and survivorship of individuals. However, in addition to body size and shape, water loss in terrestrial isopods depends also on the coefficient of permeability (i.e., a measure of water loss rate per surface unit), which is high in O. asellus and lower (and at similar levels) in P. scaber and A. vulgare. We discuss morphological, physiological, and behavioral aspects of water loss avoidance in terrestrial isopods.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body shape in terrestrial isopods: A morphological mechanism to resist desiccation?

Broly

Devigne

Deneubourg

2015

Journal of Morphology

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“…Arthropods have a variety of cuticle structures to protect themselves from the loss of water by transpiration, such as epicuticle lipids (Hadley, ). Increasing the thickness of the integumental cuticle is also a frequent defence against water loss (Vittori & Štruss, ). Assuming that these structures add extra weight to the animals, when water availability is high, selection would favour growing (faster) in length instead of investing in these structures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass–length allometry covaries with ecosystem productivity at a global scale

Ruiz-Lupión

Gómez

Moya-Laraño

2019

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim It is still debated whether allometry, the relationship between body size and body parts, entails merely an evolutionary constraint or can itself evolve. Recently, a hypothesis has been proposed that states that static allometry (allometry measured across individuals at the same developmental stage) can evolve from differences in the developmental pathways between pairs of traits under different nutritional environments. A macroecological prediction stemming from this hypothesis is that allometric coefficients (scaling and allometric factors) should covary with ecosystem productivity. Here, we tested this prediction using a worldwide database of mass–length allometric equations. Location Worldwide, data distributed across the entire globe. Time period 1967–2017. Major taxa studied Soil arthropods. Methods We fitted general linear models with the allometric coefficients (the scaling a and allometric b factors) as the dependent variables. The target independent variable was the normalized difference vegetation index, as a proxy of ecosystem productivity. Longitude, absolute latitude and altitude, as well as mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation were included as both covariates and additional variables of interest. We also included body bauplan (obtained from geometric morphometrics), taxonomic affiliation (a proxy of phylogenetic relationships) and the reciprocal allometric coefficient as covariates in the model. Results We found a strong negative association between both allometric factors and the productivity of the ecosystems, and the effect for the allometric factor b was stronger at lower trophic levels. We also detected strikingly similar effects of geographic and climatic predictors on both allometric factors, suggesting the occurrence of similar selective regimes. Main conclusions The fact that productivity, geography and climate affect the value of mass–length allometric coefficients has important consequences not only to understand the evolution of allometries, but also for how energy is processed in soil ecosystems across the globe.

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“…Animals were dissected and dorsal parts of the anterior exoskeleton (tergites 3, 4) were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde and 2% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M HEPES buffer (Fixative 1) for a structural analysis using a Hitachi S-4800 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. Samples were prepared as described before (Vittori & Štrus, 2014). Alternatively, samples were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M HEPES buffer (fixative 2) for chitin and protein localization with TEM using Tokuyasu technique for sample preparation.…”

Section: Sample Preparation For Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopy of crustacean cuticle: formation of a flexible extracellular matrix in moulting sea slaters Ligia pallasii

et al. 2018

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Structural and functional properties of exoskeleton in moulting sea slaters Ligia pallasii from the Eastern Pacific coast were investigated with CT scanning and electron microscopy. Ultrastructure of preecdysial and postecdysial cuticular layers was described in premoult, intramoult and postmoult animals. Cuticle is a flexible extracellular matrix connected to the epidermal cells through pore channels. During premoult epicuticle and exocuticle are formed and during intramoult and postmoult endocuticular lamellae are deposited and the cuticle is progressively constructed by thickening and mineralization. Cuticle permeability, flexibility and waterproofing capacity change accordingly. Elaboration of epicuticular scales connected to an extensive network of nanotubules, establish its anti-adhesive and hydrophobic properties. Labelling with gold conjugated WGA lectins on Tokuyashu thawed cryosections exposes differences in chitin content between exocuticle and endocuticle. Histochemical staining of cuticle shows presence of acidic carbohydrates/glycoconjugates and lipoproteins in epicuticular layer. Chitin microfibrils are formed at the microvillar border of epidermal cells with abundant Golgi apparatus and secretory vesicles. Numerous spherules associated with nanotubules were observed in the ecdysial space in intramoult animals. The mineral component of the cuticle as visualized with CT scanning indicates progressive mineral resorption from the posterior to the anterior half of the body in premoult animals, its translocation from the anterior to posterior part during intramoult and its progressive deposition in the posterior and anterior exoskeleton during postmoult. Cuticle of sea slaters is a unique biocomposite and biodynamic material constantly reconstructed during frequent moults, and adapted to specific physical and biotic conditions of the high intertidal rocky zone.

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The integument in troglobitic and epigean woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea): a comparative ultrastructural study

Cited by 21 publications

References 23 publications

Body shape in terrestrial isopods: A morphological mechanism to resist desiccation?

Body shape in terrestrial isopods: A morphological mechanism to resist desiccation?

Mass–length allometry covaries with ecosystem productivity at a global scale

Microscopy of crustacean cuticle: formation of a flexible extracellular matrix in moulting sea slaters Ligia pallasii

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