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Here we report the detection and localisation of chitin in the cuticle of the spinning ducts of both the spider Nephila edulis and the silkworm Bombyx mori. Our observations demonstrate that the duct walls of both animals contain chitin notwithstanding totally independent evolutionary pathways of the systems. We conclude that chitin may well be an essential component for the construction of spinning ducts; we further conclude that in both species chitin may indicate the evolutionary origin of the spinning ducts.

Original publication

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0073225

Type

Journal article

Journal

PLoS One

Publication Date

2013

Volume

8

Keywords

Animals, Biological Evolution, Bombyx, Chitin, Exocrine Glands, Spiders