端黑螢幼蟲（鞘翅目：螢科）尾足之形態與功能

Morphology and Functions of the Prolegs of the Firefly Luciola gorhami Ritsema larvae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

端黑螢（Luciola gorhami Ritsema）幼蟲尾足為管狀柔軟突起，收縮肌肉作用時，可以完全收進第9腹節末緣袋狀縫中；而利用體液的壓力則可由內向外翻出，完全脹開。以電子顯微鏡觀察尾足形態，顯示尾足表面上具三種不同形態的原足鉤，其中以大原足鉤最大，位於尾足之內側端部；小原足鉤次之，位於內側基部；而羽狀原足鉤最小，位於外側，分類上屬三序多列環式（triordinal multiserial circle）排列。尾足分左右兩束。不同齡期之幼蟲具不同數目之尾足，一齡幼蟲有6枚，二齡幼蟲有10枚，三齡至五齡之幼蟲有14枚。尾足主要功能為步行（locomotion）、協助蛻皮（ecdysis）、保持身體清潔（cleaning）與濕潤（moisture）作用。 Prolegs of the firefly Luciola gorhami larvae are socket-like outgrowths. With contraction of retractor muscles, the prolegs can withdraw completely into a pocket like cleft at the 9th abdominal segment near the anus. With increasing blood pressure, the prolegs pretrude out the cleft and can fully extended. Under a scanning electron microscope, the prolegs have three types of crochets. 1) big crochets at the terminal end of the inner part, 2) smaill crochets at the bbase of the inner part, and 3) feather-like crochets, the smallest ones, in the outer part, These three types of crochets are arranged in a triorfinal multi-serial circle for each proled. The number of prolegs differs among the larval stages and dicided into two bundles and included six prolegs for first instar larvae, ten prolegs for second instar larvae and fourteen prolegs for third, fourth, and fifth instars larvae. Their main functions are locomotion, helping ecdysis, and cleaning and moistening of body.