First study on lipid dynamics during the female reproductive cycle of Polybetes pythagoricus (Araneae Sparassidae)

Spiders are valuable to humans, not only for their role in health but also as biologic pest controllers. In oviparous species, lipids are the main energy source for embryo development, growth, and the survival of larvae. Using the spider Polybetes pythagoricus (Holmberg, 1875) as an experimental model, we studied the fluctuations in lipids and fatty acids occurring in tissues related to vitellogenesis. Different reproductive stagesâ previtellogenic, early-vitellogenic, vitellogenic, and postvitellogenicâ were determined histologically. Gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices were first used in spiders. The midgut diverticula, proved to be the organ with the highest lipid concentration, with triacylglycerols as the major component. Phospholipids were the principal lipids transported. In vitellogenesis, a major accumulation of lipids occurred in the ovaryâ principally phosphatidylethanolamine (41%), it probably synthesized in the midgut diverticula before release into the hemolymph for transport and accumulation in the ovary. The significance of phosphatidylethanolamine possibly involves maintaining membrane fluidity and functioning of the electron transport chain. The principal fatty acids in the different organs were palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic. During vitellogenesis the ovaries become enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The lipid patterns in the male midgut diverticula, muscle, and hemolymph were similar to those of the previtellogenic or postvitellogenic females.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author