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Arthropod Structure & Development
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Cuticle Ultrastructure of the Early Devonian Trigonotarbid Arachnid Palaeocharinus

Authors: Emma Jayne Long; Gregory Edgecombe; Paul Kenrick; Xiaoya Ma;

Cuticle Ultrastructure of the Early Devonian Trigonotarbid Arachnid Palaeocharinus

Abstract

The cuticle is a key evolutionary innovation that played a crucial role in arthropod terrestrialization. Extensive research has elucidated the chemical and structural composition of the cuticle in extant arthropods, while fossil studies have further informed our understanding of cuticle evolution. This study examines the three-dimensionally preserved cuticular structure of the Early Devonian trigonotarbid arachnid genus Palaeocharinus, from the Rhynie chert of Scotland (~408 Ma). Trigonotarbids, an extinct group of tetrapulmonate arachnids, are among the earliest known unequivocally terrestrial arthropods, and thus shed light on the evolution of terrestriality. Using high-resolution Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), we reveal detailed morphological features at the nanometre level. The external cuticle surface of Palaeocharinus is characterized by polygonal scales, mechanosensory sensilla, and small pores identified as the openings of dermal glands and wax canals. Internally, the cuticle exhibits a complex reticulate structure formed by polygonal cross-linked clusters of pore canals, through which wax was transported from the epidermis to the cuticular surface. The pore canals twist along their vertical axes, reflecting the "twisted plywood" or Bouligand arrangement of chitin-protein microfibril planes characteristic of modern arthropod cuticles. Overall, the cuticle of Palaeocharinus is characteristically thick relative to the cuticles of other extinct and extant chelicerates, which may suggest cuticular thickening was a significant evolutionary step in the colonization of the terrestrial realm.

Country
United Kingdom
Related Organizations
Keywords

Microscopy, Confocal, Scotland, Fossils, Arachnida, Animals, Cuticle Rhynie chert, Confocal laser scanning microscopy, 3D reconstruction, CLSM, Biological Evolution, Trigonotarbida

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
hybrid