We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The role of the integument with respect to different modes of locomotion in the Nematalycidae (Endeostigmata).
- Authors
Bolton, Samuel; Bauchan, Gary; Ochoa, Ronald; Pooley, Christopher; Klompen, Hans
- Abstract
Previous research on the locomotion of the Nematalycidae has only been undertaken on Gordialycus, which is by far the most elongated genus of the family. Gordialycus is dependent on an unusual form of peristalsis to move around. It was not known whether the genera of Nematalycidae with shorter bodies also used this mode of locomotion. Our videographic recordings of Osperalycus did not reveal peristalsis. Instead, this mite appears to move around the mineral regolith via the expansion and constriction of the metapodosomal and genital region, allowing greater versatility in the way that the annular regions contract and extend. This type of locomotion would enable relatively short bodied nematalycids to anchor themselves into secure positions before extending their anterior regions through tight spaces. Low-temperature scanning electron micrographs show that the short bodied genera have integumental features that appear to be associated with this mode of locomotion. Peristalsis is almost certainly a more derived form of locomotion that is an adaptation to the unusually long body form of Gordialycus.
- Subjects
PERISTALSIS; ANIMAL locomotion; MUSCLE contraction; ANTIPERISTALTICS; GASTROINTESTINAL motility
- Publication
Experimental & Applied Acarology, 2015, Vol 65, Issue 2, p149
- ISSN
0168-8162
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10493-014-9857-0