Table 4 Testing differences in lipid droplet diameter, protein granule diameter and glycogen granule counts in the midgut epithelial cells of Meta menardi in winter undergoing starvation under controlled conditions in the laboratory and natural conditions in caves.

From: Towards understanding partial adaptation to the subterranean habitat in the European cave spider, Meta menardi: An ecocytological approach

Sex

Time frame of starvation

Lipid droplet diameter

Glycogen rosette counts

Protein granule diameter

t test p

t test p

t test p

♂

Beginning – Nov.

4.47 < 0.001

1.62

0.110

1.06

0.296

Middle – Jan.

16,28 < 0.001

2.08

0.042

2.33

0.023

End – Mar.

5.86 < 0.001

2.01

0.049

1.66

0.102

♀

Beginning – Nov.

11.52 < 0.001

4.51 < 0.001

1.72

0.092

Middle – Jan.

20.26 < 0.001

1.54

0.1292

0.91

0.366

End – Mar.

11.97 < 0.001

3.91

0.001

0.92

0.361

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