Mekhanikova I.V.1, Takhteev V.V.2 2009. [Cuticular nonsensory microstructures of amphipods from Lake Baikal (Crustacea: Amphipoda), their taxonomic and adaptive significance] // Invertebrate Zoology. Vol.5 (for 2008). No.1: 17–37 [in Russian, with English summary].

1 Limnological Institute SB RAS, Ulan-Batorskaya St., 3, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia. E-mail: irinam@lin.irk.ru

2 Irkutsk State University, Sukhe-Batora St., 4, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia. E-mail: Amphipoda@yandex.ru

doi: 10.15298/invertzool.05.1.03

KEY WORDS: Cuticular microstructures, Amphipoda, Baikal.

ABSTRACT: Nonsensory cuticular microstructures of 59 endemic species and subspecies of Baikal amphipods from 32 genera and 6 families have been examined by scanning electron microscopy for the first time. Cuticular microstructures of the head and mesosomal segments in the central-lateral part are characterized by stable surface structure in all investigated species. Сuticular microstructures are shown to be adaptive, and have a limited value as taxonomic characters. We believe that these integument microstructures, have hydrodynamic, protective and exchange functions.

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