DEFENSE-MECHANISMS OF ARTHROPODS .142. MILLIPEDE DEFENSE - USE OF DETACHABLE BRISTLES TO ENTANGLE ANTS

Citation
T. Eisner et al., DEFENSE-MECHANISMS OF ARTHROPODS .142. MILLIPEDE DEFENSE - USE OF DETACHABLE BRISTLES TO ENTANGLE ANTS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Statesof America, 93(20), 1996, pp. 10848-10851
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary Sciences
ISSN journal
00278424
Volume
93
Issue
20
Year of publication
1996
Pages
10848 - 10851
Database
ISI
SICI code
0027-8424(1996)93:20<10848:DOA.MD>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
The millipede Polyxenus fasciculatus (Diplopoda; Polyxenida) defends i tself against ants by use of a pair of bristle tufts at its rear, When attacked, it wipes the tufts against the ants, thereby causing these to become encumbered by bristles that detach from the tufts. Ants cont aminated with bristles desist from their assault, The bristles have gr appling hooks at the tip by which they lock onto setae of the ants and barbs along their length by which they interlink, In attempting to ri d themselves of bristles, ants may succeed only in further entangling themselves by causing the bristles to become enmeshed. Ants heavily co ntaminated may remain entangled and die. Most millipedes have chemical defenses; polyxenids, instead, have a mechanical weapon.