Secretion of dermal glands in freshwater mites (acariformes, parasitengonina, hydrachnidia) and its structural characteristics

Abstract

Freshwater mites, single possessors of dermal glands in Parasitengonina, demonstrate production of special filamentous substance, which may be characterized as silk. The silk secretion and silk stricture in water mites are described and analyzed in comparison with other arthropods. A single silk thread has the simplest organization among that of other arthropods - it is an infinitely long unbranched uniform hollow tube, the walls of which are composed of fine fibrils crossing at different angles to each other. Although silk in water mites does not form a structural organized web as in spiders, it is highly likely that in mass production it serves for capturing prey - small water arthropods. This kind of silk - is a new discovered type of arthropod silk, and the ability of silk production has elaborated in water mites after their ancestors have invaded and mastered the aquatic environment. This property greatly expands the possibilities in the competition for resources.