A temperature-controlled physiological colour response in the grasshopper Kosciuscola Tristis Sjost. (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

1954 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 309 ◽  
Author(s):  
KHL Key ◽  
MF Day

The alpine grasshopper Kosciuscola tristis shows a physiological colour change under the control of temperature. Males are a bright greenish blue above about 25�C and a dull near-black below about 15�C. Intermediate shades are developed at intermediate temperatures. A similar, but less marked, change occurs in the female. The colour change in the male was studied with the aid of a special colour chart, which enabled quantitative ratings of colour to be made. The histology of the integument is described. In the pale phase a dense layer of highly refractive, very small granules occupies the distal portion of the cells of the epidermis; these are underlain by a layer of larger dark brown granules. In the dark phase the position of these layers is reversed and the nuclei are raised above the basement membrane, on which they rest in the pale phase. At intermediate colour shades the granules show transitional distributions. It is concluded that the colour change is brought about by the migration of the two types of granule in opposite directions within the epidermal cells. The ecology of K. tristis in its natural habitat is discussed. On clear days the insects become pale 2-3 hr after sunrise and begin to turn dark again during the late afternoon; the night is spent in the dark phase. The colour follows closely the temperature given by blackened thermometers, but at any given temperature it differs from the equilibrium colour developed when that temperature is maintained constant, because of the lag in accommodation to the continuously changing temperature in the field. It is suggested that the colour change may have a thermoregulatory function. Two undescribed species of Kosciuscola show similar colour changes, but these are confined to the face and ventral surface. The same two types of granule are present in the epidermal cells, including those of the dorsal surface, where they are distributed as in the pale phase of K. tristis at all temperatures.

Development ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-276
Author(s):  
Elaine Maconnachie

During the embryonic development of the mouse limb separation of the digits is followed by their union. This is a true, though temporary, epithelial fusion, a fused layer of epidermal cells remaining intact until separation takes place after birth. The periderm cells in the line of fusion are displaced to the dorsal or ventral surface of the foot. On the dorsal surface these displaced cells form a prominent interdigital ridge of elongated, intertwined cells which remains until the periderm is shed. During the fusion of the eyelids, and also of the pinnae to the scalp, a similar ridge of periderm cells is formed.


Author(s):  
L.A. Nickell ◽  
R.J.A. Atkinson

The echiuran worm Thalassema thalassemum (Echiura: Echiuridae), is a deposit-feeder which uses its proboscis to collect sediment particles for ingestion. The proboscis is highly extensible and is used with dorsal surface downwards to skim particles from the sediment surface. Alternatively, the distal portion of the proboscis is arched over and the ventral surface of the tip is held against the sediment surface where ciliary movement facilitates particle collection. These methods are used in combination and collected material is moved back along the proboscis, the edges of which are rolled to form a closed tube. Burrows appear to be U-shaped with one predominantly inhalant and one exhalant opening. Faecal pellets are periodically ejected forming small mounds around exhalant openings and mean rates of 1·83 and 2·80 g dry wt d−1 were measured suggesting that, in sufficient densities, this species could make a significant contribution to macrofaunal bioturbation.


1987 ◽  
Vol 232 (1268) ◽  
pp. 323-366 ◽  

This work continues a comprehensive description of the external sensory morphology of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma minutum . All sensilla and associated structures identified by electron microscopy are described. In addition, this study also includes the hairplates associated with the antennae and neck region. The majority of sensilla appear to be mechanosensory, and are either trichoid or campaniform in structure. Large, socketed setae (10–50 μm long) are found on all leg segments, but vary considerably in body size and shape, depending upon location. On the tibial and tarsal segments of the pro- and metathoracic legs some of the larger hairs have been modified to form antennal and wing combs. On both the meso- and metathoracic legs a distal tibial seta is greatly enlarged and functions as a socketed spur. The sensilla that compose the hairplates are relatively short (1–3 μm) and differ in socket morphology from the longer setae located elsewhere on the body surface. Hairplates occur on the dorsal surface of the trochanter at the coxatrochanteral joint, on the distal portion of the coxae, around the neck on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the episternum, and the opening of the postocciput. The most complex arrangement of hairplates surrounds the distal portion of the scape, and comprises four separate groups of hairs. Hairplates are also located on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the proximal end of the pedicellus. Nine to eleven campaniform sensilla are located on the trochanter of each leg. The proximal subdivision of the femur is equipped with six sensilla grouped together on the ventral surface. Three to five campaniform sensilla are clustered on the dorsal surface of the distal end of the tibia of each leg, and a single pair of sensilla is located at the distal end of the first tarsomere. All the leg campaniform sensilla are elliptical, and 1.5–2.5 μm long. The number, position and morphology of the sensilla was consistent between individuals. The structure and function of these sensory structures are discussed in relation to their role in walking, proprioceptive control of posture, and gravity detection. The scaling of sensilla to body size and homologies with larger insects are also examined, and the possible role of these structures in the detection and measurement of host curvature is considered.


1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-69
Author(s):  
Denise Pinheiro Da Costa ◽  
Raul Dodsworth Machado

Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy were used to elucidate the morphology of Metzgeria conjutata Lindb. and confirm the presence of 2 rows of epidermal cells on the dorsal surface, (21-3) rows on the ventral surface, midrib with cells in (3-51-6) tiers; hirsute, short hairs, straight on the thallus-margin and on the ventral surface of midrib; marginal hairs paired, single or in groups of three; male branches globose or subglobose; female involucres obovate and hirsute at the margin, calyptra fleshy, pyriform to club-shaped, hirsute on the outer surface, hairs long and straight.


Author(s):  
P. Evers ◽  
C. Schutte ◽  
C. D. Dettman

S.rodhaini (Brumpt 1931) is a parasite of East African rodents which may possibly hybridize with the human schistosome S. mansoni. The adult male at maturity measures approximately 3mm long and possesses both oral and ventral suckers and a marked gynaecophoric canal. The oral sucker is surrounded by a ring of sensory receptors with a large number of inwardly-pointing spines set into deep sockets occupying the bulk of the ventral surface of the sucker. Numbers of scattered sensory receptors are found on both dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head (Fig. 1) together with two conspicuous rows of receptors situated symmetrically on each side of the midline. One row extends along the dorsal surface of the head midway between the dorsal midline and the lateral margin.


Parasitology ◽  
1943 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Keilin ◽  
P. Tate

The larval stages of the celery fly, Acidia heraclei, have been described, and it is shown that this larva agrees with other biontophagous dipterous larvae in having the pharynx devoid of ventral ridges. The transparency of the larvae permits the internal anatomy to be seen clearly in the living larva, and by this means the structure of the perispiracular glands is clearly revealed.The braconid Adelura apii occurs as a parasite of Acidia heraclei larvae, and its first. stage larva is described in detail. This larva is densely hairy, has a long, curved, hairy, tail-like appendage and, by the more rapid growth of the ventral surface, it develops a dorsal curvature which obscures the true orientation so that the true dorsal surface appears externally to be ventral. In these respects the first stage larva of Adelura apii resembles that of A. gahani described by de la Baume-Pluvinel. The later larval stages of A. apii, of which there are at least two, are naked, lack the tail-like appendage and do not differ from the normal type of parasitic hymenopterous larvae.A yeast-like fungus occurs as a parasite in the blood of Acidia heraclei larvae. It is always found associated with existing or abortive infection of the larvae with Adelura apii. Dense mycelial masses sometimes occur in the gut of A. apii pupae and are probably derived from the yeast cells parasitic in the host larvae. It is suggested that this is a unique case of a fungus parasitic in a host larva (Acidia heraclei) undergoing part of its development in a parasitic braconid (Adelura apii), adult females of which transmit the fungus to the host larva during oviposition.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5023 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-250
Author(s):  
LAISHRAM KOSYGIN ◽  
PRATIMA SINGH ◽  
SHIBANANDA RATH

Glyptothorax rupiri, a new sisorid catfish, is described from the Brahmaputra River basin in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. It differs from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following combination of characters: the presence of plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral spine and first pelvic-fin ray; a posteriorly serrated dorsal-fin spine, its length 11.3–12.2% SL; body depth at anus 11.2–13.4% SL; a thoracic adhesive apparatus longer than broad, with a V-shaped median depression which opens posteriorly; an arrow-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; adipose-fin base length 10.9–12.6% SL; nasal barbel not reaching anterior orbital margin; 14–18 serrae on posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine; body with two longitudinal pale-cream stripes; densely tuberculated skin; and the presence of numerous tubercles on the dorsal surface of pectoral and pelvic-fin rays.  


1958 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 690-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Richards

Apterous Viviparous FemaleHolotype.–Dorsum of head with six blunt or slightly clavate setae. Frontal tubercles well developed, smooth, diverging, each with one long, (blunt seta on dorsal surface and one or two on ventral surface. Antenna about as long as body, third segment expanded just distad of base to almost twice its basal diameter; 56 small, tubercle-like, secondary sensoria scattered along whole length of one third segment, 60 on other; one fourth segment with four secondary sensoria, the other with five; a single, large, primary sensorium near apex of each fifth segment, and one large one and five or six adjacent smaller ones near apices of basal portion of sixth segment; each small primary sensorium on sixth segment with a central papilla; all primary sensoria lacking marginal, cilia-like fimbriations. Antennal setae distinctly capitate and about equal in length to basal diameter of third segment. Lengths of antenna1 segments as follows: III, 0.85 mm.; IV, 0.4 mm.; V, 0.3 mm.; VI, 0.15-0.85 mm. Rostrum reaching slightly beyond middle coxae; apical segment 0.13 mm. long, with 17 slender pointed setae in addition to usual apical ones.


2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 1479-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Martins ◽  
L.L. Pinheiro ◽  
V.C. Ferreira ◽  
A.M. Costa ◽  
A.R. Lima ◽  
...  

The Bradypusvariegatus inhabits the forests of South America and feeds from leaves, branches and sprouts from different plants. Due to its diet and the lack of literature on the morphological aspect of Xenarthras, five Bradypusvariegatus tongues from animals which died from natural causes were evaluated, and they came from Pará State Museum Emílio Goeldi and were donated to the Laboratory of Animal Morphological Research (LaPMA) from UFRA, for revealing the different types of papillae and epithelial-connective tissue. Macroscopically, the tongues presented elongated shape, rounded apex, body, root, median sulcus in the root's apex, and two vallate papillae. The mucous membrane of the tongue revealed a keratinized stratified pavement epithelium, while the ventral surface of the tongue was thin and smooth, not provided with any type of papillae. However, the dorsal surface of the tongue was irregular with the presence of three types of papillae: filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae. The filiform papillae found were of a simple type, presenting a rounded base, irregularly distributed with a larger concentration and development on the tongue's apex and body. The fungiform papilla showed a practically smooth surface with irregular format, with the presence of gustatory pores; these were found all over the dorsal surface, with larger concentration at the rostral part of the apex. Only two vallate papillae were observed disposed in the root of the tongue, surrounded by a deep groove, and revealing several taste buds. The tongues from Bradypusvariegatus presented gustatory papillae similar to the ones described for other Xenarthras species and wild mammals.


1956 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-477
Author(s):  
R. B. CLARK

1. The photoreceptors found in the Nephtyidae are: (a) Two pairs of vacuolated cells lying in pigment cups, with accessory cells, embedded in the posterior part of the supra-oesophageal ganglion. (b) One or two cells, which may or may not be vacuolated, on either side, lying a little anterior to the ganglion. (c) Undifferentiated epidermal cells surrounded by pigment granules may be photosensitive. 2. There are both morphological and behavioural grounds for concluding that the prostomial eyes of Nephtys are homologous with the eyes of Nereis, and that they are involved in the same types of behaviour. 3. The frequency with which Nephtys swims is, within limits, a linear function of the light intensity. Although the ganglionic eyes are directional receptors the worm does not orientate itself in a light beam; presumably the light reaching them is too diffuse. In the very small species N. cornuta, the eyes are close to the surface of the brain and the worm does orientate itself in a light beam. 4. Swimming is an essential prelude to burrowing, and the brighter the light the more frequently the worm swims and the sooner it is buried. Activity in light can be inhibited by stimulating receptors on the dorsal surface of the animal by contact.


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