Publications by authors named "Monika Stalmach"
The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic condition of Steatoda grossa (Theridiidae) spider, from their hemocytes, after a short-term (four-week) exposure to cadmium and copper in sublethal doses by administering them into the body of the preys. The ultrastructure of the dominant types of hemocytes, such as granulocytes, plasmatocytes and prohemocytes, was evaluated using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Quantitative evaluation of apoptotic and necrotic cells, as well as the ones with depolarized mitochondria in hemolymph, was performed using flow cytometry, while ATP concentration and ADP/ATP ratio in hemocytes were measured by luminescent methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study examined the effects of ingested cadmium on the energy and structure of hunting webs produced by Steatoda grossa spiders.
- Males and females responded differently, with males accumulating more cadmium yet not significantly altering their web properties.
- Cadmium-treated females produced webs with thinner strands and used 47% less energy, possibly due to energy being redirected towards detoxifying cadmium's toxic effects.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the impact of starvation and the insecticide dimethoate on DNA damage in male and female wolf spiders (Xerolycosa nemoralis).
- The comet assay indicated that male spiders showed higher DNA damage in both haemocytes and midgut cells compared to females, with the most significant damage occurring after single exposure to dimethoate.
- While females tolerated starvation without DNA damage, prolonged food deprivation in males resulted in severe damage to their haemocytes, hinting at a decline in their defense mechanisms.
The aim of this study was to assess the intensity of enzymatic antioxidative parameters [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSTPx), glutathione reductase (GR), total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] and percentage of high granularity cells as well as low to medium granularity cells in haemolymph of wolf spiders Xerolycosa nemoralis exposed to starvation and dimethoate under laboratory conditions. Only in starved males, haemolymph included a lower percentage of high granularity cells, accompanied by high activity of CAT and GSTPx, than in the control. Exposure of males to dimethoate increased CAT activity, after single application, and significantly enhanced GR activity, after five-time application.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates the genotoxic effects of cadmium on web-building spiders, specifically examining DNA damage in their haemocytes and midgut gland cells after exposure to the metal.
- Adult spiders were fed cadmium-contaminated flies for four weeks, and DNA damage was quantified using the comet assay.
- Results indicated that male spiders accumulated more cadmium than females and exhibited different levels of DNA damage based on sex and organ type, highlighting that cadmium has significant genotoxic effects even at low concentrations.