Element analysis of some harvsetmen (Arachnida: Opiliones)species in Turkey by XRF method

Elements that play a role in the adjustment of osmotic balance in tissues and cells, and the formation of important molecules such as protein, nucleic acid and fat have three important functions: osmotic, structural and biochemical. Elemental analysis of male and female individuals of Gilijarovya tenebricosa, Histricostoma caucasicum, Mitopus morio, Nelima pontica and Odiellus zecariensis species collected from different habitats in Turkey was performed by XRF method. According to results of the analysis, 16 inorganic elements (calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), sodium (Na), chromium (Cr) , magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), potassium (K), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti) and silicon (Si)) were detected in the study. It was determined that there is significant statistically difference between the species in the Mg, Al, Si and Ni concentrations (p<0.01). On the other hand, it was found that K and Zn concentrations were statistically significant in the male and female samples (p<0.05). It has been observed that the concentration of K and Zn in females is higher than in males.