The current state of knowledge on the neuroactive compounds that affect the development, mating and reproduction of spiders (Araneae) compared to insects

Abstract

The neuroendocrine system of insects, including the presence of the main neuroactive compounds, and their role in ontogenesis are probably best understood of all the arthropods. Development, metamorphosis, the maturation of the gonads, vitellogenesis and egg production are regulated by hormones (juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids) and neuropeptides. However, knowledge about their presence and functions in spiders is fragmentary. In this paper, we present a summary of the current data about the juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids and neuropeptides in selected groups of arthropods, with particular emphasis on spiders. This is the first article that takes into account the occurrence, action and role of hormones and neuropeptides in spiders. In addition, the suggestions for possible ways to study these compounds in Araneomorphae spiders are unique and cannot be found in the arachnological literature.

Beyond spider personality: The relationships between behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors

“…Lower concentrations of juvenile hormone are associated with lower aggression in honey bees, Apis mellifera (Pearce et al., 2001), and aggressive behavior is also associated with down‐regulation of the immune response, potentially mediated via juvenile hormone, in other arthropods (e.g., beautiful demoiselle, Calopteryx virgo , rubyspot damselfly Hetaerina americana , Contreras‐Garduño et al., 2006; Contreras‐Garduño et al., 2009). Neurohormones also regulate different processes (e.g., ontogenesis, sexual maturation, and ecdysis) that may impact the expression of behavior in spiders in general (Sawadro et al., 2017), and these hormones may also impact other physiological properties, such as venoms and silks, which then further impact behavior.…”

“…For example, in cellar spiders, Physocyclus dugesi, juvenile hormone (acyclic sesquiterpenoids) down-regulates the immune re- , 2009). Neurohormones also regulate different processes (e.g., ontogenesis, sexual maturation, and ecdysis) that may impact the expression of behavior in spiders in general (Sawadro et al, 2017), and these hormones may also impact other physiological properties, such as venoms and silks, which then further impact behavior.…”

Expression profile of genes encoding allatoregulatory neuropeptides in females of the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Araneae, Theridiidae)

“…They are commonly found in insects from which they were isolated for the first time. They have also been identified in various groups of arthropods as well as in non-arthropod groups such as annelids and mollusks: Cancer borealis [5], Carcinus maenas [6], Triops newberryi [7], Penaeus monodon [8], Homarus americanus [9], Deroceras reticulatum [10, 11, 12]. Numerous manuscripts report demonstrating allatoregulatory reactivity in basal metazoans [13].…”

“…They were first isolated from M . sexta (Manse-AT), and their sequence (GFKNVEMMTARGF-NH2) was confirmed based on cDNA and was characterized in other insects like Spodoptera frugiperda as well as Aedes aegypti [11].…”

“…Furthermore, there are only a few publications that are based on the immunohistochemical data, AST A protein localization in the central nervous system of the model spider species Cupiennius salei [23]. However, the quoted data do not provide information on the role of ASTs and AT in spiders (compare with [11]).…”