Sensing more than the bathroom: sensilla on the antennae, cerci and styli of the silverfish Lepisma saccharina Linneaus, 1758 (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae)

摘要

Zygentoma are primary wingless, ground-living and nocturnal hexapods. As sister group of pterygote insects, Zygentoma are of major importance for evaluating hypothesis on early insect evolution. We present information based on scanning electron microscopy on the external morphology of cuticular sensilla on the major sensory appendages of Lepisma saccharina, the antennae, cerci and styli. In addition, we give a summary of known anatomical features on cuticular sensilla in different zygentoman representatives. The described sensilla show distinct structural similarities with sensilla in other hexapods. Our results are discussed in terms of sensory modality and comparative morphology. Furthermore, we explore the underestimated relevance of sensilla on appendages other than the antennae for the biology in arthropods in general and Zygentoma in particular.