Respiratory system of arachnids II: morphology of the tracheal system of Leiobunum rotundum and Nemastoma lugubre (Arachnida, Opiliones)

Abstract

The tracheal system of two species of harvestmen with different life styles was investigated: the long-legged, Leiobunum rotundum (Phalangioidea, Phalangiidae) and the short-legged Nemastoma lugubre (Troguloidea, Nemastomatidae). The morphology of the tracheae is very similar in both species: The branching pattern is basically asymmetric and dichotomous, and the tracheae taper between branching points. The tracheal diameters range from 160 to 0.3 μm in L. rotundum (mean body mass 25.3 mg), and from 70 to 0.5 μm in N. lugubre (mean body mass 3.8 mg). Ultrastructurally, the tracheal walls are similar to those of insects, consisting of an outer hypodermal layer and an inner cuticular layer with taenidial structures. Tracheae of all diameters have close contact with organs and muscles, indicating that diffusive gas exchange may take place through the walls of all tracheae. The finest tracheae end freely in the hemolymph or at the surface of organs and muscles. Exceptions are tracheal penetration of the central nerve mass in the prosoma in both species, and of the muscles in L. rotundum. The latter may correlate with the active perambulatory life style of L. rotundum.