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Morphology of the mandibles in the millipedes (Diplopoda, Arthropoda)
Author(s) -
KÖIUHLER HEINZRÜDIGER,
ALBERTI GERD
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.1990.tb00255.x
Subject(s) - arthropod mouthparts , biology , biting , zoology , mandible (arthropod mouthpart) , anatomy , ecology , genus
The mouthparts of seven species from five families of Diplopoda have been investigated with scanning electron microscopy. The distal segment of the mandible, the gnathal lobe, is the most complex structure. Although the biting and crushing parts among the examined genera arc always based on the same general scheme, typical modifications of these structures exist which are regarded to be taxon‐specific. The density of the teeth on the pectinate lamellae appears to determine the size of the ingested food particles. A well‐developed anterior fringe does not seem to be necessary for the ingestion of food.