The coloration of Papilio zalmoxis and P. antimachus , and the discovery of Tyndall blue in butterflies

1976 ◽  
Vol 193 (1113) ◽  
pp. 441-453 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Fluorescent Pigment ◽  
Colour Changes ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Thin Film Interference ◽  
First Time ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Wing Scales

The ultrastructure and colour of the wing scales of Papilio zalmoxis were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometry. The colour of the blue scales was found to be mainly of structural origin, due in part to Tyndall scattering by a layer of air-filled alveoli and in part to thin film interference in a basement lamella. A white, fluorescent pigment, probably composed mainly of kynurenine, lines the alveoli, and contributes to the colour principally by virtue of its absorption of ultraviolet radiation. Males and females possess these blue scales, but the overall colour they produce in the wing depends on the distribution of underlying black scales, and this differs between the sexes. The female of this species is figured in colour for the first time. The apparent polymorphism of preserved males was examined and it is concluded, with some reservations regarding the brown form, to be due to post-mortem colour changes. The nature of the coloration and the sexual dimorphism of P. antimachus are described. The sexual dimorphism of both species is discussed.

scholarly journals Fine Structure of Maxillary Palps in Adults of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Pezzi ◽  
C Scapoli ◽  
M Bharti ◽  
M J Faucheux ◽  
M Chicca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
The Family ◽  
Sensory Structures ◽  
First Time ◽  
Maxillary Palps ◽  
Scanning Electron

Abstract A relevant species in waste management but also in forensic, medical, and veterinary sciences is the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus; Diptera: Stratiomyidae). An ultrastructural study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted for the first time on maxillary palps of both sexes, describing in detail the morphology and distribution of sensilla and microtrichia. The maxillary palps, composed of two segments, show sexual dimorphism in length and shape. In both sexes, the first segment is covered only by microtrichia, but the second one is divided into two parts: the proximal one, covered only by microtrichia, and the distal one containing both microtrichia and sensory structures. These structures include two types of sensory pits and one of chaetic sensilla. Due to sexual dimorphism in palp size, females have a higher number of sensory pits. The sexual dimorphism of palps and the presence and role of sensilla in H. illucens was discussed in comparison to other species of the family Stratiomyidae and of other Diptera. This study may represent a base for further investigations on mouthpart structures of this species, involved in key physiological activities, such as feeding, mating and oviposition.

Microscale Radiative Effects in Complex Microstructures of Iridescent Butterfly Wing Scales

1997 ◽  
Vol 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Tada ◽  
Seth E. Mann ◽  
Ioannis N. Miaoulis ◽  
Peter Y. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Butterfly Wing ◽  
Radiative Effects ◽  
Cellular Microstructure ◽  
Cellular Development ◽  
Optical Phenomena ◽  
Thin Film Interference ◽  
Wing Scales

AbstractThe cellular microstructure of insect scales can be detailed intricately with threedimensional structures and multiple thin-film layers. In butterflies, iridescent scales can reflect bright colors through thin-film interference and other optical phenomena; the balance of radiation is absorbed for thermoregulatory purposes. Results of numerical and experimental investigations into the function, properties, and structure of these scales are presented. Of particular interest are the numerical modeling of the microscale radiative effects in the scales, determining the optical properties of the biological material, and the cellular development of thin-film structures.

scholarly journals Sexual dichroism and pigment localization in the wing scales of Pieris rapae butterflies

2006 ◽  
Vol 274 (1606) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A Giraldo ◽  
D.G Stavenga
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Pieris Rapae ◽  
Reflectance Spectra ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Pieris Rapae Crucivora ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Wing Coloration ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Wing Scales

The beads in the wing scales of pierid butterflies play a crucially important role in wing coloration as shown by spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The beads contain pterin pigments, which in Pieris rapae absorb predominantly in the ultraviolet (UV). SEM demonstrates that in the European subspecies Pieris rapae rapae , both males and females have dorsal wing scales with a high concentration of beads. In the Japanese subspecies Pieris rapae crucivora , however, only the males have dorsal wing scales studded with beads, and the dorsal scales of females lack beads. Microspectrophotometry of single scales without beads yields reflectance spectra that increase slightly and monotonically with wavelength. With beads, the reflectance is strongly reduced in the UV and enhanced at the longer wavelengths. By stacking several layers of beaded scales, pierid butterflies achieve strong colour contrasts, which are not realized in the dorsal wings of female P. r. crucivora . Consequently, P. r. crucivora exhibits a strong sexual dichroism that is absent in P. r. rapae .

scholarly journals Thin-film structural coloration from simple fused scales in moths

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20180044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cédric Kilchoer ◽  
Ullrich Steiner ◽  
Bodo D. Wilts
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Coloration ◽  
Scale Thickness ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Wing Scale ◽  
Wing Patterns ◽  
Colour Changes ◽  
Wing Scales

The metallic coloration of insects often originates from diverse nanostructures ranging from simple thin films to complex three-dimensional photonic crystals. In Lepidoptera, structural coloration is widely present and seems to be abundant in extant species. However, even some basal moths exhibit metallic coloration. Here, we have investigated the origin of the vivid metallic colours of the wing scales of the basal moth Micropterix aureatella by spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy. The metallic gold-, bronze- and purple-coloured scales share a similar anatomy formed of a fused lower and upper lamina resulting in a single thin film. The optical response of this thin-film scale can be attributed to thin-film interference of the incident light, resulting in the colour variations that correlate with film thickness. Subtle variations in the wing scale thickness result in large visible colour changes that give Micropterix moths their colourful wing patterns. This simple coloration mechanism could provide a hint to understand the evolution of structural coloration in Lepidoptera.

Morphological variation in bony structures of Hylaeamys seuanezi (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) in Southern Bahia, Brazil

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franger J. García ◽  
Martín Roberto del Valle Alvarez
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Average Shape ◽  
Southern Bahia ◽  
Morphological Diagnosis ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Negative Pressures ◽  
First Time

Abstract Rodents of the genus Hylaeamys, are a group of cryptic species previously included in the Oryzomys capito complex. In Brazil are represented by six species, distributed in different biomes. However, the limits of their geographic distributions and taxonomy have not yet been well defined. In particular, the taxonomy for Hylaeamys seuanezi is unstable. Based on the analysis of bony structures and supported with geometric morphometric techniques, we characterize and compare the average shape from populations in four localities from Southern Bahia, Brazil. We review 145 individuals and we create morphological landmarks in skulls, mandibles, scapulae, and pelvis. In all the structures there were statistically significant differences between populations, in which the average shape from the Igrapiúna population was the most differentiated. Our results also showed differences between the pelvis of males and females, reporting for the first time sexual dimorphism for H. seuanezi. Finally, we provide a morphological diagnosis between the populations and postulate that such differences may be correlated with environmental and climatic factors that could be exerting negative pressures on H. seuanezi; as has been evidenced with other species of rodents and other mammals.

scholarly journals Wing scale ultrastructure underlying convergent and divergent iridescent colours in mimetic Heliconius butterflies

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (141) ◽  
pp. 20170948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Parnell ◽  
James E. Bradford ◽  
Emma V. Curran ◽  
Adam L. Washington ◽  
Gracie Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Viewing Angle ◽  
Optical Phenomenon ◽  
Avian Vision ◽  
Structural Colour ◽  
Wing Scale ◽  
Colour Changes ◽  
Scale Structures ◽  
Thin Film Interference

Iridescence is an optical phenomenon whereby colour changes with the illumination and viewing angle. It can be produced by thin film interference or diffraction. Iridescent optical structures are fairly common in nature, but relatively little is known about their production or evolution. Here we describe the structures responsible for producing blue-green iridescent colour in Heliconius butterflies. Overall the wing scale structures of iridescent and non-iridescent Heliconius species are very similar, both having longitudinal ridges joined by cross-ribs. However, iridescent scales have ridges composed of layered lamellae, which act as multilayer reflectors. Differences in brightness between species can be explained by the extent of overlap of the lamellae and their curvature as well as the density of ridges on the scale. Heliconius are well known for their Müllerian mimicry. We find that iridescent structural colour is not closely matched between co-mimetic species. Differences appear less pronounced in models of Heliconius vision than models of avian vision, suggesting that they are not driven by selection to avoid heterospecific courtship by co-mimics. Ridge profiles appear to evolve relatively slowly, being similar between closely related taxa, while ridge density evolves faster and is similar between distantly related co-mimics.

scholarly journals Classical lepidopteran wing scale colouration in the giant butterfly-moth Paysandisia archon

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doekele G. Stavenga ◽  
Hein L. Leertouwer ◽  
Andrej Meglič ◽  
Kazimir Drašlar ◽  
Martin F. Wehling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Wing Colour ◽  
White Spots ◽  
Wing Scale ◽  
Thin Film Interference ◽  
Scale Types ◽  
Wing Scales

The palm borer moth Paysandisia archon (Castniidae; giant butterfly-moths) has brown dorsal forewings and strikingly orange-coloured dorsal hindwings with white spots surrounded by black margins. Here, we have studied the structure and pigments of the wing scales in the various coloured wing areas, applying light and electron microscopy and (micro)spectrophotometry, and we analysed the spatial reflection properties with imaging scatterometry. The scales in the white spots are unpigmented, those in the black and brown wing areas contain various amounts of melanin, and the orange wing scales contain a blue-absorbing ommochrome pigment. In all scale types, the upper lamina acts as a diffuser and the lower lamina as a thin film interference reflector, with thickness of about 200 nm. Scale stacking plays an important role in creating the strong visual signals: the colour of the white eyespots is created by stacks of unpigmented blue scales, while the orange wing colour is strongly intensified by stacking the orange scales.

scholarly journals Conch structures, soft-tissue imprints and taphonomy of the Middle Ordovician cephalopod Tragoceras falcatum from Estonia

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Pohle ◽  
Christian Klug ◽  
Ursula Toom ◽  
Björn Kröger
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
The Body ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Muscle Attachment ◽  
Middle Ordovician ◽  
Body Chamber ◽  
Regional Stage ◽  
First Time

Abstract Tragoceras falcatum (Schlotheim, 1820) is a common, loosely coiled estonioceratid (Tarphycerida, Cephalopoda) occurring in the Kunda Regional Stage (early Darriwilian, Middle Ordovician) of Estonia. Although the species is quite well-known, we document some features for the first time. For example, one specimen from the Harku quarry (Estonia) with a phosphatized replacement shell exhibits growth halts (megastriae) on the body chamber. As they are not preserved in smaller specimens, we suggest that these megastriae formed at the approach of maturity, possibly also reflecting sexual dimorphism and cycles of reproduction (iteroparity?). Additionally, the specimen shows minute soft-tissue imprints (drag bands and pseudosutures). These imprints are comparable to patterns in other cephalopods such as ammonoids, bactritids and other nautiloids, but have not yet been reported from Palaeozoic nautiloids. However, they might have been misinterpreted as oncomyarian muscle attachment scars previously. Lastly, we discuss the taphonomy of the specimen, which was encrusted by multiple bryozoan colonies post-mortem. Furthermore, it shows questionable traces of bioerosion.

scholarly journals Microglial metabolism is a pivotal factor in sexual dimorphism in Alzheimer’s disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Victoire Guillot-Sestier ◽  
Ana Rubio Araiz ◽  
Virginia Mela ◽  
Aline Sayd Gaban ◽  
Eoin O’Neill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Plaque Load ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Age And Sex

AbstractAge and sex are major risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with a higher incidence of the disease in females. Neuroinflammation, which is a hallmark of AD, contributes to disease pathogenesis and is inexorably linked with inappropriate microglial activation and neurodegeneration. We investigated sex-related differences in microglia in APP/PS1 mice and in post-mortem tissue from AD patients. Changes in genes that are indicative of microglial activation were preferentially increased in cells from female APP/PS1 mice and cells from males and females were morphological, metabolically and functionally distinct. Microglia from female APP/PS1 mice were glycolytic and less phagocytic and associated with increased amyloidosis whereas microglia from males were amoeboid and this was also the case in post-mortem tissue from male AD patients, where plaque load was reduced. We propose that the sex-related differences in microglia are likely to explain, at least in part, the sexual dimorphism in AD.

scholarly journals DNA Barcoding reveals sexual dimorphism in Isotrias penedana Trematerra, 2013 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae, Chlidanotinae) 

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4221 (5) ◽  
pp. 594 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN FRANCIS VANNER CORLEY ◽  
SÓNIA FERREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Species Occurrence ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
First Time

Isotrias penedana Trematerra, 2013 was described from north Portugal based on males alone. Unidentified females were associated with the males using DNA barcoding, revealing sexual dimorphism in the species. Males and females differ in forewing shape, markings, and size, with females significantly smaller than males. The female is described and illustrated for the first time. We also document the species’ occurrence in northern Spain. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document