The hemolymph vascular system in Cupiennius salei (Araneae: Ctenidae)

Huckstorf, Katarina; Kosok, Gregor; Seyfarth, Ernst-August; Wirkner, Christian S.

The hemolymph vascular system in Cupiennius salei (Araneae: Ctenidae)

2013

Huckstorf, Katarina | Kosok, Gregor | Seyfarth, Ernst-August | Wirkner, Christian S.

In terms of physiology and behavior, Cupiennius salei is one of the best-investigated spider species. However, parts of its anatomy have only been described superficially to date. In the course of a comparative survey of the hemolymph vascular system in Araneae we therefore investigated C. salei using several injection methods in combination with semi-thin sections and micro computer tomography (MicroCT). Like all other Arthropoda, C. salei possesses an open circulatory system. A tubular heart is suspended dorsally in the opisthosoma via a number of ligaments. It is equipped with three pairs of ostia, and three pairs of cardiac arteries. The heart is surrounded by a pericardial sinus in which we were able for the first time to describe an intra-pericardial membrane. Anteriorly, the heart is extended by an anterior aorta which runs through the pedicel and divides into two branches within the prosoma. Arteries emanating from the branches of the aorta supply the prosomal appendages and the central nervous system. The subesophageal ganglion is supplied by numerous fine vessels which emanate from the transganglionic arteries and form tight loops. A network of capillaries, i.e. interconnections between afferent and efferent vessels, is here demonstrated for the first time to exist in the central nervous system of chelicerates. Data are compared with existing literature on the morphology of the circulatory system in Araneae and discussed with regard to the extension of the respiratory system and the varying lifestyles of different spiders.

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