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Free keywords:
plastron, plastron carrying structures, diffusion, capture of air bubbles
Abstract:
The plastron respiration of aquatic and food-resistant terrestrial arthropods
(Acari, Diplopoda and Insecta).
Plastron retaining structures are found in Acari and Diplopoda which are living submers as a hydropbobic secretion layer (= cerotegument). In many aquatic insects which
are permanently living under water, these structures are present as hydrophobic
trichia, microtrichia, papillae, thoracical gills, wax secretions and silken cocoons. The
renewal of oxygen in the plastron occurs þy means of a simple diffusion from the
surrounding water, a facilitated diffusion and the capture of air bubbles is observed in
running water. The cerotegument of Hydrozetes lacutris (Oribatida, Acari) is not wettable under an atmospheric pressure of 0.002 - 5.5 atm. throughout 4 hours.
