Discontinuous gas-exchange in centipedes and its convergent evolution in tracheated arthropods

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dc.contributor.authorKlok C.J.
dc.contributor.authorMercer R.D.
dc.contributor.authorChown S.L.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:05:04Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:05:04Z
dc.date.issued2002
dc.description.abstractWe have examined the gas-exchange characteristics of five southern African centipede species from three orders. Two scolopendromorph species exhibit discontinuous gas-exchange cycles (DGCs) identical to those recorded for several insect and chelicerate species. Another scolopendromorph and a lithobiomorph species exhibit weak periodic patterns, and a scutigermorph species shows continuous gas exchange. A crucial component for DGCs in tracheated arthropods is the presence of occludible spiracles. However, on the basis of studies of temperate centipedes, most recent invertebrate biology texts hold the view that centipedes, as a group, cannot close their spiracles. Using flow-through normoxic and normoxic-anoxic-normoxic respirometry and electron microscopy, we conclusively demonstrate that at least one of the scolopendromorph species, Cormocephalus morsitans L., can close its spiracles fully, thus accounting for its DGCs. Homologies in spiracular structure and DGCs suggest that several other tracheated arthropod taxa probably have this ability too and that DGCs have evolved convergently at least four times in the Arthropoda. Spiracular closure and discontinuous gas-exchange cycles are probably more widespread in arthropods than has previously been suspected.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Experimental Biology
dc.identifier.citation205
dc.identifier.citation7
dc.identifier.issn220949
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/12956
dc.subjectcarbon dioxide
dc.subjectwater
dc.subjectanimal
dc.subjectarthropod
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectclassification
dc.subjectcomparative study
dc.subjectevolution
dc.subjectlung gas exchange
dc.subjectmetabolism
dc.subjectphylogeny
dc.subjectphysiology
dc.subjectregression analysis
dc.subjecttrachea
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectArthropods
dc.subjectCarbon Dioxide
dc.subjectEvolution
dc.subjectPhylogeny
dc.subjectPulmonary Gas Exchange
dc.subjectRegression Analysis
dc.subjectTrachea
dc.subjectWater
dc.subjectAnimalia
dc.subjectArthropoda
dc.subjectChilopoda
dc.subjectCormocephalus
dc.subjectInsecta
dc.subjectInvertebrata
dc.subjectLithobiomorpha
dc.subjectScolopendromorpha
dc.titleDiscontinuous gas-exchange in centipedes and its convergent evolution in tracheated arthropods
dc.typeArticle
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