title: Interaction of the tracheal tubules of Scutigeracoleoptrata (Chilopoda, Notostigmophora) with glandular structures of the pericardial septum.
abstract: Notostigmophora (Scutigeromorpha) exhibit a special tracheal system compared to other Chilopoda. The unpaired spiracles are localized medially on the long tergites and open into a wide atrium from which hundreds of tracheal tubules originate and extend into the pericardial sinus. Previous investigators reported that the tracheal tubules float freely in the hemolymph. However, here we show for the first time that the tracheal tubules are anchored to a part of the pericardial septum. Another novel finding is this part of the pericardial septum is structured as an aggregated gland on the basis of its specialized epithelium being formed by hundreds of oligocellular glands. It remains unclear whether the pericardial septum has a differently structure in areas that lack a connection with tracheal tubules. The tracheal tubules come into direct contact with the canal cells of the glands that presumably secrete mucous substances covering the entire luminal cuticle of the tracheal tubules. Connections between tracheae and glands have not been observed in any other arthropods.
authors.affiliation: Central Animal Laboratory, University Clinic of Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hilken
authors.affiliation: The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Edgecombe
authors.affiliation: Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstrasse 23, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, PO Box 210077, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors.forename: Carsten H G
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstrasse 23, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sombke
authors.affiliation: Allgemeine & Spezielle Zoologie, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Universitätsplatz 2, D-18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wirkner
authors.affiliation: Am Kützelbach 3, D-59494 Soest, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
keywords: Centipedes; aggregated recto-canal epidermal glands; electron microscopy; respiration; tracheal system