Embryonic and post-embryonic development of the spider Polybetes pythagoricus (Sparassidae): A biochemical point of view

ROMERO, SOFIA; LAINO, ALDANA; MOLINA, GABRIEL; CUNNINGHAM, MONICA; GARCIA, CARLOS FERNANDO

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Año: 2022 vol. 94

0001-3765

Analysis of energy expense during development has achieved special interestthrough time on account of the crucial role of the consumption of resources requiredfor offspring survival. Spider eggs have a fixed composition as well as some initialenergy that is supplied by mothers. These resources are necessary to support themetabolic expense not only through the embryonic period but also during the postembryonicperiod, as well as for post emerging activities before spiderlings becomeself-sustaining. Depletion of these resources would be critical for spiders since it couldgive rise to prey competition as well as filial cannibalism. Even though spiders representa megadiverse order, information regarding the metabolic requirements during spidersdevelopment is very scarce. In this study, we analyse the changes in protein, lipid andcarbohydrate content as well as the variation in lipovitellin reserves and hemocyanincontent during Polybetes pythagoricus development. Our results show that lipovitellinsand phospholipids represent the major energy source throughout embryonic and postembryonicdevelopment. Lipovitellin apolipoproteins are gradually consumed butare later depleted after dispersion. Phosphatidylethanolamine is mainly consumedduring the post-embryonic period, while triacylglycerides are consumed after juveniles’dispersion. Finally, hemocyanin concentration starts to increase in postembryonic stages.