These voracious, venomous predators of the night are seldom seen and even more infrequently in pairs, but what can be said of the affairs of the Scutigeromorph heart?
Well first of all, they have a series of trachea originating at dorsal openings that channel oxygen into the pericardium. They also have a single dorsal heart which pumps oxygenated blood about the tissues of their relatively large and active architecture.
Generally, arthropods have open circulatory systems within which circulating fluid (haemolymph) passes directly through tissues, but in the scutigeromorph, a more complex distribution system is controlled by cardioarterial valves. Also, large respiratory copper proteins, called haemocyanins carry oxygen through the haemolymph.
Socially, the two individuals photographed were engaged in a repertoire with what appeared to be a greater enthusiasm on the part of the larger male. Reproduction is most probably via indirect sperm transfer. Male scutigeromorphs strategically deposit a sperm droplet and then encourage the female to this location through behavioural ritual. The female receives the droplet directly through the genital opening.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
Blimey Neil. Do you have a reference for that post or was that off the cuff?
Not only do you live in an amazing part of the planet Neil, but you also take full advantage of it. Thanks.
” Also, large respiratory copper proteins, called hemocyanins carry oxygen through the hemolymph.” – Neil
Interesting, so comparing to human bloodcirculation ,the copper is equivalent to iron, and the hemocyanin to hemoglobin.
With this knowledge, I can now die in peace. Anyway, why were you taking pictures of them in the act?
Woody, I suspect Neil is curious about the natural world and like many naturalists gets some satisfaction from observing, recording and then sharing that information.
Thanks Neil.
Hemocyanin? Hemoglobin?
When I was at university, in Oz, they were haemocyanin and haemoglobin.
Have American spellings been adopted?
Sorry for the pedantry, just curious.
Hemocyanin? Hemoglobin?
When I was at university, in Oz, they were haemocyanin and haemoglobin.
Have American spellings been adopted?
Sorry to be pedantic, just curious.
Interesting, so comparing to human bloodcirculation ,the copper is equivalent to iron, and the hemocyanin to hemoglobin.
And as I remember it, going back decades here, is that the active component of the haemocyanin molecule is structurally similar to the active component of chlorophyll
Thanks, CountingCats, I’ll make the corrections.
Woody, it’s interesting that a photograph of a potentially dangerous mammal, like a tiger for example, can invoke a general admiration, whereas an image of a potentially harmful invertebrate can elicit a general repulsion.
The animals photographed are World Heritage inhabitants and deserve the same protection and presentation as other WH values. Nevertheless, I have seen (even) Executive Directors of the Wet Tropics Management Authority unceremoniously splatter WH marchflies without the slightest regard for their status.
Anne, as I understand it, the copper proteins give the haemolymph a blue colouration c/f red for blood.
Thanks Libby and Jennifer; Pinx, it was not entirely off the cuff, but one of the benefits of maintaining these presentation entries is the need for addditional research.
Good grief. I was joking.