Surface lipids of the silverfish (Lepisma saccharina L.)

Abstract

Surface lipids obtained from the silverfish by short-term solvent extraction contain aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoester waxes, cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, free cholesterol, and free fatty acids. Together, cholesteryl esters and free cholesterol account for >30% of the total lipids. As found for other arthropods living in aquatic or moist environments unsaturated homologues predominate among the acidic constituents. The cuticular lipid composition of silverfish resembles that of other more primitive arthropod forms such as stoneflies and dragonflies.