Arthropod immunity : characterisation of the humoral immune responses in two species of arthropods - the Kalahari millipede triaenostreptus triodus (attems) and the scorpion opisthopthalmus latimanus (Koch).
Date
1998
Authors
Van der Walt, Etienne
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Abstract
This is the first report comparing the inducible humoral immune responses
of' two long-lived arthropods. Inducible humoral immune responses were
detected in two arthropods namely, the scorpion Opisthopthalmus
latitnanus (Arachnida) and the millipede Triaetiostreptus triodus
(Diploooda: Spirostreptidae). These anti-bacterial activities were elicited
by "ve gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. A dramatic
hemocytopenia was demonstrated in both the millipede and scorpion after
experimental infection, suggesting the possible release of a hemocyte
depletion factor. The anti-bacterial humoral responses of the millipede
and the scorpion were similar in magnitude to those that have been
reported for a large variety of short-lived insects. I also provide further
characterisation of the anti-bacterial defence proteirus) of the Kalana n
millipede. My results suggest that the humoral immune response of
arthopods may have a long and conserved phylogeny.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science.
Keywords
Arthropoda., Immune response., Scorpions., Millipedes.