Morfologia, química e função na glândula da membrana artrodial e química de hidrocarbonetos cuticulares em um opilião (arachnida, opiliones)

Abstract

hydrocarbons. These primarily minimize water loss, but are also known to have numerous functions in arthropod interactions with other animals. Typically, they are contact chemicals that participate in specific and sexual recognition, in addition to providing a wealth of information about the individual. In harvesters, there is ample evidence for the importance of contact chemoreception from both the sender and receiver perspectives. However, we had no idea which chemicals would be relevant in these interactions. We therefore described the cuticular hydrocarbons of both sexes in one species of harvester, having detected numerous chemicals used in chemical communication in other taxa, as well as a difference between males and females. The thesis is divided into 4 independent chapters, but under the umbrella of cuticular structure in Opiliones. Each consists of one publication. The first is published, the second is accepted, the third and fourth are submitted.