Flagellar microstructures of male tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae): implications for systematics and functional morphology

2001 ◽  
Vol 133 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Freitag ◽  
A. Hartwick ◽  
A. Singh

AbstractA comparison of appressed teeth-like structures, coined tempers, on the flagellum of the male internal sac among 10 North American and one Asian species of tiger beetles is consistent with earlier proposed genera of Cicindela Linné, ranked here as subgenera. Based on scanning electron photomicrographs, observations revealed that the flagellum has a single groove along its whole length, with tempers in the groove, and for most species tempers are present only on one side of the ungrooved flagellar surface; tempers point basally (proximally) both on the flagellar surface and within the flagellar groove; and a distributional pattern of the tempers appears to be unique to each subgenus. The species Cicindela punctulata Olivier and Cicindela lepida Dejean have a lumen in place of a flagellar groove, the former with tempers on the ungrooved flagellar surface and the latter without. Tempers on the ungrooved surface of the flagellum are assumed to grip the inner wall of the spermathecal duct while penetrated by the flagellum during insemination or preinsemination clearing. The presence of tempers on one side of the flagellum promotes rapid, smooth insertion and removal of the flagellum from the duct. It is proposed that tempers of the flagellar groove assist the flow of seminal materials to the spermatheca by guiding the narrow neck of the spermatophore into the spermathecal duct while the flagellum is inserted.

2016 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-425
Author(s):  
Richard Freitag

AbstractThe male flagellum of 32 North American tiger beetle (Cicindela Linnaeus; Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) species was examined with a scanning electron microscope for new, stable characters that might be useful in studies of taxonomy and functional morphology. Two sets of characters were observed, shape and size of the flagellum, and the form and distribution of tempers (micro teeth-like structures on the surface of the flagellum). These characteristics were surprisingly uniform for most species. It is inferred that the inner walls of the female spermatheca duct are gripped by the male flagellum, achieved either by flexing the inserted temper-free long flagellum, or direct insertion by the temper-covered short flagellum. It is proposed that an inverse relationship pattern exists between the elongate temper-free flagellum, and the temper-covered shorter flagellum.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 20160350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niclas R. Fritzén ◽  
Ilari E. Sääksjärvi

Apical serrations of the hymenopteran ovipositor have been widely postulated to originally constitute adaptations for cutting through hard substrates. Simplifications of the ovipositor tip have occurred in several ichneumonid wasp genera associated with spiders. Despite such reduction in Clistopyga (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), the ovipositor still possesses some apical serrations. Through the first detailed study, we believe, on the behaviour of an ovipositing Clistopyga species, we show that it can alter its ovipositor for different purposes and that the primary function of the apical serrations is clinging to its spider host as the spider attempts to escape. Intriguingly, we also discover a hitherto undocumented adaptation for the hymenopteran ovipositor. The female wasp seals openings in the silken spider nest by using its ovipositor on the silk in a highly sophisticated way that is comparable to how humans entangle wool by needle felting. By studying the ovipositor morphology through a scanning electron microscope, we elucidate how this works, and we hypothesize that by closing the nest the female wasp protects its developing kin.


1972 ◽  
Vol 104 (S88) ◽  
pp. 7-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Rae MacKay

AbstractPresented here, with notes, are 55 plates of illustrations: 48 are larval sketches representing 48 species in 18 families of Microlepidoptera; the remaining seven are scanning electron micrographs of larvae of three of the families, Lyonetiidae, Bucculatrigidae, and Stigmellidae. The illustrations suggest interesting affinities in some instances, are useful as identification aids, and show structural details not hitherto observed or recognized as important taxonomically.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-377
Author(s):  
Jen L Wortham ◽  
Stephanie Pascual

Abstract Respiration, sensory input, movement, and molting rely on crustacean body regions being free of fouling. While the grooming appendages of shrimps have been described, few studies have documented the functional morphology of grooming appendages in brachyuran crabs. Because shrimps and brachyurans have very different body morphology and grooming behaviors, their grooming setae may vary. The morphology of grooming appendages of blue (Callinectes sapidusRathbun, 1896) and stone (Menippe mercenaria (Say, 1818)) crabs were investigated to gain better insight into their efficiencies in decreasing fouling. Callinectes sapidus is an active swimmer, migrates through currents across estuaries, spends less time grooming, and is exposed to more environmental variants in contrast to M. mercenaria, which has a lower activity level and spends more time grooming. To compensate for this higher activity level and lower grooming time budget, C. sapidus was predicted to have more setal types on its grooming appendages as compared to M. mercenaria. Thirteen different body appendages/regions involved in grooming are described in both species by using scanning electron and light microscopy. We documented the morphology, presence or absence of setal patches, and types of setae in 104 different grooming appendages and groomed body regions. Of 25 types of setae, nine are unique to C. sapidus, rejecting the hypothesis that C. sapidus have more diverse grooming setae. Menippe mercenaria has denser setal patches and less fouling than C. sapidus. Nine new setal types are described. Fouling, setal diversities, and functions that correspond to grooming behaviors are discussed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1345-1353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Britton ◽  
Daniel F. Brunton

A new interspecific hybrid in Isoetes, I. maritima Underw. × I. howellii Engelm., is delineated and described from the Shuswap Highlands region of British Columbia by means of cytology and scanning electron microscopy of spores. Isoetes × marensis D.M. Britton and D.F. Brunton, hyb.nov. is the name proposed for this taxon. It is triploid (3x; 2n = 33) and is believed to produce only sterile and (or) aborted spores. Hybrid plants have polymorphic spores that demonstrate size and surface ornamentation features intermediate between those of the putative parents. Three populations were examined, each growing with both of the putative parents in silt and sand among granite cobble over clay along an emergent lakeshore. Isoetes × marensis is the first described North American hybrid involving an amphibious Isoetes. It is expected to be a rare taxon owing to the restricted sympatric area of the putative parents and their tendency to occupy different habitats. Key words: Isoetes, Isoetes howellii, Isoetes maritima, hybrid, British Columbia.


1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Campbell

AbstractThe North American species of the genera Arpedium Erichson, and Eucnecosum Reitter are revised. Five species are recognized, the holarctic species E. brachypterum (Gravenhorst), E. tenue (LeConte) and E. brunnescens (J. Sahlberg), the transcontinental boreal species A. cribratum Fauvel and the eastern United States species A. schwarzi Fauvel.Lectotypes are designated for E. brachypterum, A. cribratum, A. angulare Fauvel (= A. cribratum), and A. schwarzi. The following new synonymy is established, Arpedium norvegicum var. sallasi Munster and Eucnecosum meybohmi Lohse (= E. tenue) and Arpedium angulare Fauvel and A. columbiense Hatch (= A. cribratum). All genera and species are described and illustrated with scanning electron photomicrographs and line drawings, four maps showing the North American distribution of each species are provided, and keys are presented to aid in the identification of all the species as well as the European species Arpedium quadrum (Gravenhorst). All available records and biological data for the species are summarized.The use of the generic name Eucnecosum Reitter is discussed and the transfer of brachypterum, tenue, and brunnescens from Arpedium to this genus by Lohse is confirmed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 187 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Sierwald ◽  
Derek A Hennen ◽  
Xavier J Zahnle ◽  
Stephanie Ware ◽  
Paul E Marek

Abstract The species of the eastern North American millipede genus Pseudopolydesmus are reviewed. Synonyms and comprehensive literature citations are provided for each of the eight recognized species. Diagnostic morphology of the genus, including clarification of male gonopod terminology, is reviewed and defined using scanning electron microscopy and high-quality macrophotographic images, including those in which ultraviolet fluorescence was induced to produce detailed images of morphological structures. Based on the examination of available type material, the following eight species are recognized: (1) Pseudopolydesmus erasus; (2) Pseudopolydesmus canadensis; (3) Pseudopolydesmus collinus; (4) Pseudopolydesmus pinetorum; (5) Pseudopolydesmus minor; (6) Pseudopolydesmus caddo; (7) Pseudopolydesmus paludicolus; and (8) Pseudopolydesmus serratus. The species names Polydesmus neoterus and Polydesmus euthetus are here placed as junior subjective synonyms of Ps. minor (both syn. nov.), and Polydesmus natchitoches is placed as a junior subjective synonym of Ps. pinetorum (syn. nov.).


2018 ◽  
Vol 186 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P Duran ◽  
David P Herrmann ◽  
Stephen J Roman ◽  
Rodger A Gwiazdowski ◽  
Jennifer A Drummond ◽  
...  

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