The pretarsus of the honeybee

Authors

  • Michel Asperges Universiteit Hasselt, Faculteit Wetenschappen Campus Diepenbeek Agoralaan Gebouw D, BE-3590 Diepenbeek
  • Jan D'Haen Universiteit Hasselt, Instituut voor Materiaalonderzoek Campus Diepenbeek Wetenschapspark 1, BE-3590 Diepenbeek
  • Ivo Lambrichts Universiteit Hasselt, Faculteit Geneeskunde en Levenswetenschappen Campus Diepenbeek Agoralaan Gebouw D, BE-3590 Diepenbeek
  • Frank Van Belleghem Open Universiteit, Faculty of Management, Science and Technology, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2017.8

Keywords:

honeybee, pretarsus, arolium, arcus, manubrium, planta, unguitractor

Abstract

Although the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) is a well-studied species, the functional morphology of its pretarsal structure is still not fully understood. We conducted an in-depth scanning electron microscopic study on these complex structures to contribute to the comprehension of the pretarsal structure-function relationships. As a result, this study has provided valuable information on the ultrastructure of the pretarsus, and in particular on the spines of the unguitractor surface and the small spines and scalloped surface of the claws with longitudinal grooves. Special attention was given to the adhesive contact zone of the arolium with its highly specialized fibrillary cuticle texture. Remarkably, several of the observed pretarsal structures, such as the pyramidal structures on the unguitractor and the thin hairs on both the grooved claws, and the hairs of the manubrium have not been previously described. All observed structures in this study were characterized with respect to their possible physiological and mechanical roles.

References

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Published

2017-09-04

How to Cite

Asperges, M., D’Haen, J., Lambrichts, I., & Van Belleghem, F. (2017). The pretarsus of the honeybee. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 147(2). https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2017.8

Issue

Vol. 147 No. 2 (2017)

Section

Articles

License

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