title: The water-repellent cerotegument of whip-spiders (Arachnida: Amblypygi).
abstract: The cuticle of arthropods is usually composed of layers of a chitin-protein-microcomposite, a proteinaceous epicuticle and a thin lipid coating. However, in some instances a thick cement layer (cerotegument) covers the cuticle and may produce elaborate microstructures. This has previously been described for millipedes and mites. Here we report the previously unknown presence of a superhydrophobic cerotegument in whip-spiders (Ambypygi) and reveal its variation in ultrastructure and water-repellence between species. We discuss the relevance of found micro-morphological and physical characters for taxonomy and phylogenetics of this group, and the potential biological functions.
authors.affiliation: Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany; Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia. Electronic address: jonas.wolff@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jonas O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel Strasse 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seiter
authors.affiliation: Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Stanislav N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Gorb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity; D013112:Spiders / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003102:Colloids; D008055:Lipids; D014867:Water
keywords: Amblypygi; Anti-wetting; Arachnida; Colloid; Plastron; Surface coating