Coagulation in Invertebrates

In most animals there is a need to quickly prevent the loss of blood or equivalent fluids through inflicted injuries. In invertebrates with an open circulatory system (and sometimes a hydroskeleton as well) these losses may otherwise soon be fatal. Also, there is a need to prevent microbes that have gained access to the body through the wound from disseminating throughout the open circulatory system. Therefore, many invertebrates possess a coagulation system to prevent such accidents from having too serious consequences. In this review we discuss recent developments in a few animals - mainly arthropods - where more detailed data are available. It is likely, however, that corresponding systems are present in most phyla, but this is still unchartered territory. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel