As web spiders usually hang with their head downward, geometrical differences in body position could affect the organization of their central nervous system (CNS). Nevertheless, most of our knowledge of spider's CNS is dependent on what has been revealed from wandering spiders. To fill the gap, we describe here the fine structural organization of the ganglionic neurons and nerves in the geometric orb web spider Nephila clavata. Nerve cells in the supraesophageal ganglion in N. clavata are packed in the frontal, dorsal and lateral regions, but the nerve cells of the subesophageal mass are only restricted to the ventral and ventrolateral regions. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the fine structural details of the neuroglial cells and the neuronal cells which have a conspicuous Golgi apparatus, rough ER, free ribosomes and well‐developed mitochondria. Comparing fine structural characteristics of the CNS ganglia with those of wandering spiders in most respects, it has been revealed that the geometrical difference may affects to the arrangement of receptors in the central body known as an important association center for web building behavior. In particular, remarkable differences can be detected in the protocerebral area by the extraordinary development of the central body including absence of the globuli and associated mushroom bodies.

Although over 6,400 species of harvestmen have been discovered worldwide, the research on these arachnids is still an unexplored field comparing to spiders or insects. To begin filling this gap, here we have examined the microstructure of the CNS in the harvestman Leiobunum japonicum using histologic visualization techniques. Although Opiliones belong to the class of arachnids, they are not spiders. Opiliones are an order of arachnids commonly known as harvestmen. These arachnids are well known for their exceptionally long legs compared to body size, and the two main body sections (cephalothorax and abdomen) are broadly joined. The CNS of harvestman is similar to the CNS in all extant arachnids. The harvestman Leiobunum japonicum is made up of two compact nerve cell clusters which consist of a supraesophagealganglion and a subesophageal mass. The supraesophageal ganglion has two parts, the protocerebrum and the duetocerebrum. Whereas, a pair of pedipalpal and four pairs of appendage nerves including several pairs of abdominal nerves arise from the subesophageal nerve mass.

The biological attachment device on the tarsal appendage of the earwig, Timomenus komarovi (Insecta: Dermaptera: Forficulidae) was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy to reveal the fine structural characteristics of its biological attachment devices to move on smooth and rough surfaces. They attach to rough substrates using their pretarsal claws; however, attachment to smooth surfaces is achieved by means of two groups of hairy tarsal pads. This biological attachment device consists of fine hairy setae with various contact sizes. Three different groups of tenent setae were distinguished depending on the cuticular substructure of the endplates. Two groups of setae commonly had flattened surfaces, and they were covered with either spoon‐shaped or spatula‐shaped endplates, respectively. While the flattened tip setae were distributed at the central region, the pointed tip setae were characteristically found along the marginal region. There were no obvious gender‐specific differences between fibrillar adhesive pads in this insect mainly because the forceps‐like pincers are used during copulation to grasp the partner.

No abstract

Although the order Opiliones constitutes the third‐largest group of arachnids, this creature is still mysterious and has a rich unexplored field compared to what is known about insects and crustaceans. The order Opiliones is traditionally regarded as a close relative of mites, mainly because of morphological similarities in external body structure; however microstructural organization of the ganglionic neurons and nerves in the harvestman Leiobunum japonicum is quite similar to the central nervous system (CNS) in all extant arachnids. The CNS consists of a large neural cluster with paired appendicular nerves. The esophagus passes through the neural cluster and divides it into the upper supraesophageal ganglion (SpG) and the lower subesophageal ganglion (SbG). The dorsal part of the SpG has a quite condensed cell body compared with other parts of the CNS and has two main components, the protocerebrum and the cheliceral ganglion. The protocerebrum receives the optic nerves and has four main groups of neuropiles from the optic lobes, the superior central body, the lateral neuropils (corpora pedunculata) and the inferior neuropil. However, a pair of pedipalpal and four pairs of appendage nerves including several pairs of abdominal nerves arise from the nerve masses of the SbG.