Taxonomic and functional significance of the presternal area in Haemogamasus mites (Acari-Mesostigmata: Laelapidae), with a revised key to Fennoscandian species

1990 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337
Author(s):  
Lars Lundqvist
Keyword(s):  
Functional Significance ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Diagnostic Character ◽  
Adult Females

AbstractThe presternal area is described for adult females and males of the eight Scandinavian species of the genus Haemogamasus. This area contains suture lines with more or less conspicuous denticles. The denticles cover the posterior wall of the postcapitular furrow and probably act as a barrier to overflow of liquid accumulation during feeding. The presence of denticles in the presternal area may be correlated with, and an extension of, the elaboration of rows of deutosternal denticles on the ventral face of the subcapitulum. The configuration of the denticles can be used as a diagnostic character at the species level. Keys to the species, based on this character as well as others of adult females and males, are given.

Phylogenetics and classification of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1647 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER A. DESJARDINS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Smooth Convex ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
The World

A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is provided, and the generic classification is revised. A hypothesized phylogeny is given based on 73 characters, primarily from adult females. The diparines are supported as monophyletic in all analyses based on 4–6 synapomorphies depending on their sister-group, including the presence of a cercal brush which is synapomorphic in all analyses. The cercal brush, in combination with the absence of a smooth, convex dorsellum, is diagnostic for Diparinae. Liepara Bou…ek (Pteromalidae: subfamily inquirenda) and Bohpa Darling (Pteromalidae: Ceinae) both appear as sister-group to Diparinae in different analyses. In the proposed classification scheme, Diparinae consists of 116 species in 14 genera. Nine genera are removed from Diparinae, two of which are placed in synonymy: Calolelaps Timberlake, Dinarmolaelaps Masi, Mesolelaps Ashmead, Neolelaps Ashmead, and Stictolelaps Timberlake are placed in Pteromalinae (Pteromalidae), while Seyrigina Risbec is placed in Eulophinae (Eulophidae); Diparisca Hedqvist is synonymized under Spalangiopelta Masi (Pteromalidae: Ceinae); Bekiliella Risbec is synonymized under Notanisus Walker (Pteromalidae: Cleonyminae); and Liepara Bou…ek and the tribe Lieparini Bou…ek are placed in Pteromalidae without a subfamily association. Fifteen new generic synonyms are proposed: Afrolelaps Hedqvist, Alloterra Kieffer and Marshall, Diparomorpha Hedqvist, Emersonia Girault, Grahamisia Delucchi, Parurios Girault, Pondia Hedqvist, Pseudipara Girault, Trimicrops Kieffer, and Uriolelaps Girault under Dipara Walker; Spalangiolelaps Girault under Lelaps Walker; Australolaelaps Girault under Neapterolelaps Girault; Dolichodipara Hedqvist under Myrmicolelaps Hedqvist; and Dipareta Bou…ek and Malinka Bou…ek under Pseudoceraphron Dodd. Three genera are described as new: Cerodipara, Dozodipara, and Chimaerolelaps. Fourteen new species are described: Cerodipara sabensis, Chimaerolelaps villosa, Conophorisca littoriticus, C. grisselli, Dozodipara insularis, Lelaps noortii, Myrmicolelaps iridius, M. aurantius, Neapterolelaps viridescens, N. mitteri, Nosodipara ferrana, Pseudoceraphron regieri, P. burwelli, and P. fijensis. A key to the genera of Diparinae is provided. The species of each genus are cataloged, and species-level keys are provided for most genera in which new species are described. New biological information shows that diparine host range is not restricted to Curculionidae as previously thought; one species of Myrmicolelaps was reared from mantid oothecae and a second from a tsetse fly puparium (Glossinidae: Glossina).

Functional significance of preserved color patterns of mollusks from the Gosport Sand (Eocene) of Alabama

1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (01) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia H. Kelley ◽  
Charles T. Swann
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Functional Significance ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Color Patterns ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Life Mode ◽  
Molluscan Fauna ◽  
Excellent Preservation ◽  
Architectural Constraints

The excellent preservation of the molluscan fauna from the Gosport Sand (Eocene) at Little Stave Creek, Alabama, has made it possible to describe the preserved color patterns of 15 species. In this study the functional significance of these color patterns is tested in the context of the current adaptationist controversy. The pigment of the color pattern is thought to be a result of metabolic waste disposal. Therefore, the presence of the pigment is functional, although the patterns formed by the pigment may or may not have been adaptive. In this investigation the criteria proposed by Seilacher (1972) for testing the functionality of color patterns were applied to the Gosport fauna and the results compared with life mode as interpreted from knowledge of extant relatives and functional morphology. Using Seilacher's criteria of little ontogenetic and intraspecific variability, the color patterns appear to have been functional. However, the functional morphology studies indicate an infaunal life mode which would preclude functional color patterns. Particular color patterns are instead interpreted to be the result of historical factors, such as multiple adaptive peaks or random fixation of alleles, or of architectural constraints including possibly pleiotropy or allometry. The low variability of color patterns, which was noted within species and genera, suggests that color patterns may also serve a useful taxonomic purpose.

Complex Vesicles, Microtubules, and Cytoplasmic Filaments in the Endothelial Cells of Normal Dog Aorta

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 172-173
Author(s):  
C. N. Sun ◽  
J. J. Ghidoni
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Functional Significance ◽  
Tubular Structures ◽  
Aldehyde Fixation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments

Endothelial cells in longitudinal and cross sections of aortas from 3 randomly selected “normal” mongrel dogs were studied by electron microscopy. Segments of aorta were distended with cold cacodylate buffered 5% glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes prior to being cut into small, well oriented tissue blocks. After an additional 1-1/2 hour period in glutaraldehyde, the tissue blocks were well rinsed in buffer and post-fixed in OsO4. After dehydration they were embedded in a mixture of Maraglas, D.E.R. 732, and DDSA.Aldehyde fixation preserves the filamentous and tubular structures (300 Å and less) for adequate demonstration and study. The functional significance of filaments and microtubules has been recently discussed by Buckley and Porter; the precise roles of these cytoplasmic components remains problematic. Endothelial cells in canine aortas contained an abundance of both types of structures.

ERRORS ASSOCIATED WITH HERBAGE DISSECTION ANALYSES 2. Problems of species identification

1976 ◽  
pp. 213-225
Author(s):  
I.M. Ritchie ◽  
C.C. Boswell ◽  
A.M. Badland
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Plant Identification ◽  
Leaf Fragment ◽  
Research Division ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Botanical Analysis

HERBACE DISSECTION is the process in which samples of herbage cut from trials are separated by hand into component species. Heavy reliance is placed on herbage dissection as an analytical tool ,in New Zealand, and in the four botanical analysis laboratories in the Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries about 20 000 samples are analysed each year. In the laboratory a representative subsample is taken by a rigorous quartering procedure until approximately 400 pieces of herbage remain. Each leaf fragment is then identified to species level or groups of these as appropriate. The fractions are then dried and the composition calculated on a percentage dry weight basis. The accuracy of the analyses of these laboratories has been monitored by a system of interchanging herbage dissection samples between them. From this, the need to separate subsampling errors from problems of plant identification was, appreciated and some of this work is described here.

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