Adis J.1, Golovatch S.I.2, Messner B.3 2003. Morphological structures in some Neotropical Myrmecodesmus species (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Pyrgodesmidae) reveal the ability for plastron respiration // Arthropoda Selecta. Vol.12. No.1: 17–21 [in English].
1 Max-Planck-Institute for Limnology, Tropical Ecology Working Group, Postfach 165, 24302 Plön, Germany.
2 Institute for Problems of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospekt 33, Moscow 117071, Russia.
3 An den Wurthen 4, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
ABSTRACT: Plastron respiration in submerged Myrmecodesmus species is possible when their hydrophobic secretion layer (cerotegument) on tergites extends to sternites and covers all spiracles in the coxal region. Advanced juveniles and subadults but not adults of M. adisi (Hoffman, 1985) from Central Amazonian floodplains possess this functional cerotegument. Yet it is absent from M. duodecimlobatus (Golovatch, 1996) and M. hastatus (Schubart, 1945) from non-flooded uplands.
KEY WORDS: Diplopoda, morphology, cerotegument, submersion, air casing, Amazon, Brazil.