Principles of cuticular attachment in Arthropoda

Abstract

This chapter is a review, classifying attachment systems according to the attachment principle and their functional loads. Most of the information given is about specimens of insects. However, taxa of other arthropod groups are also considered here, since it is impossible to give an overview on principles of cuticular attachment without a broader systematic background. Additional information on this topic can be found in a review by W. Nachtigall (1974). A functional or technological system is a set of structures (organs) which are dynamically interconnected and adapted to one, or several, complex functions (Dlussky and Fedoseeva, 1988). Attachment devices are functional systems, the purpose of which is either temporary or permanent attachment of an organism to the substrate surface, to another organism, or temporary interconnection of body parts within an organism. Their design varies enormously and is subject to different functional loads (Nachtigall, 1974). There is no doubt that many functional solutions have evolved independently in different lineages. Almost all species of Arthropoda are supplied with diverse attachment devices, and the morphology depends on the species biology. The evolutionary background, and the habits influence the specific composition of attachment systems in each particular species. Since cuticle and its derivatives play a crucial role in the design of attachment devices in the Arthropoda, these systems are referred to as cuticular attachment systems. There are eight fundamental classes of fixation principles: (1) hooks, (2) lock or snap, (3) clamp, (4) spacer, (5) sucker, (6) expansion anchor, (7) adhesive secretions, and (8) friction (Fig. 4.1). However, different combinations of these principles also occur in existing attachment structures. 37