The development al potential of the embryos of wolf spider Xerolycosa nemoralis from areas variously burdened with metals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess and describe the developmental potential of the embryos of the wolf spider X. nemoralis collected from the reference site (Pilica) and a site heavily polluted with metals (Welnowiec) (southern Poland). For the analyses of the progress of development the embryos the computer microtomography was used. Adenylate concentration was measured using luminometric method. The macroscopic observations of the development of individual embryos revealed significant differences in the duration of embryogenesis (14,5 ±0.5 days in Pilica vs 16.5±0.53 in Welnowiec). The computer microtomography analyses enabled us to describe the geometry of the eggs inside the cocoon as well as to see the morphology of embryos inside the cocoon and to recognize selected developmental stages of the embryos. The concentration of cadmium in embryos in Welnowiec was significantly lower than in the embryos from the reference site, while the concentration of copper in the embryos from Pilica was significantly, 4 times lower than in Wełnowiec. The energy status indices (ATP concentration and ADP/ATP ratio) did not differ significantly in the embryos from the two sites.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• spiders
• embryos
• computer microtomography
• ATP
• ADP/ATP