Comparative study of the femoral organ in Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae). Arthropod Structure & Development 36: 105–112.

Rok

2007

Autoři

Jan Šobotník
prof. Mgr. Stanislav Pekár, Ph.D.
prof. Mgr. Stano Pekár, Ph.D.

Obsah

The femoral organ of Zodarion spiders has not been investigated in detail yet. In this study we describe the external and internal structure of this organ. The organ is situated at the distal tip of the femora of all the legs during all developmental stages. The size of the organ (expressed as the number of hairs) increased with the ontogenetic development of Zodarion species. The organ was confirmed to occur in both sexes of all 47 Zodarion species examined. It is possibly present in all species of this genus. The size of the organ increased with the size of the species. A comparative anatomical study was performed in juveniles and adults of both sexes of Zodarion rubidum, and females of both Z. cyrenaicum and Z. jozefienae. The femoral organ represents an exocrine gland composed of a group of secretory cells located below the epidermis. Each gland cell is connected with the leg surface by a single duct. The ducts run in intercellular spaces and specialised canal cells are lacking.

Citace

Pekár S. & Šobotník J. (2007): Comparative study of the femoral organ in Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae). Arthropod Structure & Development 36: 105–112.