scholarly journals 100 years Zoraptera—a phantom in insect evolution and the history of its investigation

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Mashimo ◽  
Y. Matsumura ◽  
R. Machida ◽  
R. Dallai ◽  
M. Gottardo ◽  
...  

Zoraptera are a cryptic and enigmatic group of insects. The species diversity is lower than in almost all other groups of Hexapoda, but may be distinctly higher than presently known. Several new species were described from different regions recently. The systematic placement was discussed controversially since the group was discovered 100 years ago. Affinities with Isoptera and Psocoptera were discussed in earlier studies. A sister group relationship with Acercaria (Psocodea, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera) was proposed by W. Hennig, for the first time based on a strictly phylogenetic argumentation. More recent studies consistently suggest a placement among the “lower neopteran orders” (Polyneoptera). Close affinities to Dictyoptera were proposed and alternatively a sister group relationship with Embioptera or with Embioptera + Phasmatodea (Eukinolabia), respectively. The precise placement is still controversial and the intraordinal relationships are largely unclear. Recent transcriptome analyses tentatively suggest a clade Zoraptera + Dermaptera as sister group of all other polyneopteran orders. The oldest fossils are from Cretaceous amber. An extinct genus from this era may be the sister group of all the remaining zorapterans. The knowledge of the morphology, development and features related to the reproductive system greatly increased in recent years. The general body morphology is very uniform, whereas the genitalia differ strongly between species. This is likely due to different kinds of selection, i.e. sexual selection in the case of the genital organs. The mating pattern also differs profoundly within the order. A unique external sperm transfer occurs in Zorotypus impolitus. A species-level phylogeny and more investigations of the reproductive system should have high priority.

IAWA Journal ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anaïs Boura ◽  
Timothée Le Péchon ◽  
Romain Thomas

The Dombeyoideae (Malvaceae) are one of the most diversified groups of plants in the Mascarene Islands. Species of Dombeya Cav., Ruizia Cav. and Trochetia DC. are distributed in almost all parts of the archipelago and show a wide diversity in their growth forms. This study provides the first wood anatomical descriptions of 17 out of the 22 Mascarene species of Dombeyoideae. Their wood anatomy is similar to that of previously described species: wide vessels, presence of both apotracheal and paratracheal parenchyma, and storied structure. In addition, we also found a second wood anatomical pattern with narrower vessels, high vessel frequency and thick-walled fibres. The two aforementioned wood patterns are considered in a phylogenetic context and used to trace the evolutionary history of several wood anatomical features. For example, the pseudoscalariform pit arrangement supports a sister group relationship between Trochetia granulata Cordem. and T. blackburniana Bojer ex Baker and may be a new synapomorphy of the genus Trochetia. Finally, wood variability is evaluated in relation to geographic, climatic and biological data. Despite the juvenile nature of some of the specimens studied, we discuss how the habit, but also factors related to humidity, influence the variability observed in the Mascarene Dombeyoideae wood structure.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4674 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
HONGYU LI ◽  
BO WANG ◽  
XINGYUE LIU

The male of Cretaconiopteryx grandis Liu & Lu, 2017, which is the only representative species of the extinct dustywing subfamily Cretaconiopteryginae, is described for the first time from the Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber. The male genitalia, well preserved in the examined specimen, show a number of plesiomorphic characters, which support the sister group relationship between Coniopterygidae and the rest of extant lacewing families. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4674 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-385
Author(s):  
EDUARDO DOMÍNGUEZ ◽  
MARÍA GABRIELA CUEZZO ◽  
SIMÓN CLAVIER

Four of the 43 genera of South American Leptophlebiidae are dipterous. A previous phylogenetic hypothesis supported that clade Askola+Hagenulopsis, and that Bessierus+Perissophlebiodes, are sister groups of the Farrodes complex. Adults of Bessierus and Perissophlebiodes were not known but posteriorly Perissophlebiodes male imago was described. Here, we describe the male imago of Bessierus for the first time. Both genera share, besides the absence of the hind wings, the asymmetrical fork of MA, symmetrical fork of MP, dissimilar tarsal claws, and forceps sockets fused. Along with the description of the imago, a new diagnosis for the genus Bessierus is presented, also updating the identification key with this new information. A new cladistics analysis is performed to test the stability of the proposed relationships of these four genera within Leptophlebiidae. We obtained a single cladistic hypothesis where the addition of Bessierus adult characters resulted in new synapomorphies for the (Bessierus, Perissophlebiodes) clade, and improved its clade statistical support. The fused forceps sockets resulted in a synapomorphy uniting Bessierus, Perissophlebiodes and Simothraulopsis. As a result of this new analysis, the hypothesis of independent losses of the hind wings in the two dipterous groups studied is supported. The Farrodes lineage is not supported as proposed in previous studies, being restricted only to (Farrodes (Simothraulopsis, Homothraulus)) while the identity of “Perissophlebiodes lineage” is supported. The sister group relationship of Rondophlebia is not clearly defined. 


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 1018-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Gram Jensen ◽  
Jens T. Høeg ◽  
Susan Bower ◽  
Alexey V. Rybakov

The morphology and disposition of lattice organs, putative sensory structures in the carapace of cyprids, are described with scanning electron microscopy from six rhizocephalan species representing four of the five families in the suborder Akentrogonida: Clistosaccus paguri and Sylon hippolytes (Clistosaccidae), Arcturosaccus kussakini (Duplorbidae), Mycetomorpha vancouverensis (Mycetomorphidae), and Diplothylacus sinensis and Thylacoplethus reinhardi (Thompsoniidae). The disposition of pores and setae on the cyprid carapace is also surveyed. In T. reinhardi, poor quality of the specimens allowed only confirmation that lattice organs are present. Cyprids of all other species except M. vancouverensis have two anterior and three posterior pairs of lattice organs on the carapace, just as in almost all other Cirripedia. Cyprids of C. paguri and S. hippolytes are nearly identical in both general shape, carapace setation, and morphology of the lattice organs. In both species the lattice organs are oval–circular pore fields, except the second pair which is very elongate and match-shaped, a morphology unique to the Clistosaccidae. The similarities in cyprid morphology are interpreted as apomorphies supporting the monophyly of the recently rediagnosed Clistosaccidae. Both thompsoniid species have oval–circular lattice organs, indicating a possible sister-group relationship between the Clistosaccidae and the Thompsoniidae. None of the lattice organs of A. kussakini are oval or match-shaped. In M. vancouverensis there is only a single anterior pair of lattice organs, a probable autapomorphy. But the morphology of the M. vancouverensis cyprid is otherwise very reminiscent of those in the Rhizocephala suborder Kentrogonida, such as in being ornamented with numerous (> 100) carapace setae in no fixed pattern compared with the few (< 80) setae in a fixed disposition seen in the other akentrogonids. In cyprids of all Akentrogonida examined, the lattice organs lack a large terminal pore. By out-group comparison with all other cirripedes and with the Ascothoracida, this is regarded as an apomorphy that supports the monophyly of the Akentrogonida.


Author(s):  
Christopher J. Glasby ◽  
Patricia A. Hutchings ◽  
Kathryn Hall

A phylogenetic analysis of the polychaete clade Terebelliformia (Terebellida) was undertaken in order to test monophyly of families and subfamilies and to determine their affinities. Parsimony analyses of 41 terebelliform species with outgroup Owenia fusiformis and 46 morphological characters yielded 106–144 most parsimonious trees with length 250, consistency index=0·432, retention index=0·659 and rescaled consistency index=0·285. Monophyly was indicated for Alvinellidae, Ampharetidae, Terebellidae and Trichobranchidae and the terebellid subfamily Polycirrinae. Monophyly of Terebellidae is supported by the presence of a ridge-like tentacular membrane. Monophyly of Polycirrinae is supported by the loss of branchiae, trilobed upper lip, pinnate secondary notochaetae and ventro-lateral pads. Recognition of Polycirrinae renders taxa in the other terebellid subfamilies—Terebellinae and Thelepodinae—paraphyletic. Our results do not support previous classifications that placed Trichobranchidae as a subfamily of Terebellidae; rather it should be considered equal in rank with Alvinellidae, Ampharetidae, Terebellidae and Pectinariidae. The following relationships were obtained: (Trichobranchidae ((Alvinellidae, Ampharetidae) (Pectinariidae, Terebellidae))). This is the first time a Pectinariidae–Terebellidae sister group relationship has been found; it is supported by the synapomorphic presence of ventral glandular shields.


2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1658) ◽  
pp. 879-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Paul M Barrett ◽  
Marc E.H Jones ◽  
Scott Moore-Fay ◽  
Susan E Evans

The discovery of a new stem turtle from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) deposits of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, sheds new light on the early evolutionary history of Testudinata. Eileanchelys waldmani gen. et sp. nov. is known from cranial and postcranial material of several individuals and represents the most complete Middle Jurassic turtle described to date, bridging the morphological gap between basal turtles from the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and crown-group turtles that diversify during the Late Jurassic. A phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon within the stem group of Testudines (crown-group turtles) and suggests a sister-group relationship between E. waldmani and Heckerochelys romani from the Middle Jurassic of Russia. Moreover, E. waldmani also demonstrates that stem turtles were ecologically diverse, as it may represent the earliest known aquatic turtle.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Foley ◽  
Tim Lueddecke ◽  
Dong-Qiang Chen ◽  
Henrik Krehenwinkel ◽  
Sven Kuenzel ◽  
...  

Mygalomorph spiders of the family Theraphosidae, known to the broader public as tarantulas, are among the most recognizable arachnids on earth due to their large size and widespread distribution. Their use of urticating setae is a notable adaptation that has evolved exclusively in certain New World theraphosids. Thus far, the evolutionary history of Theraphosidae remains poorly understood; theraphosid systematics still largely relies on morphological datasets, which suffer from high degrees of homoplasy, and traditional targeted sequencing of preselected genes failed to provide strong support for supra-generic clades (i.e. particularly those broader than subfamilies). In this study, we provide the first robust phylogenetic hypothesis of theraphosid evolution inferred from transcriptome data. A core ortholog approach was used to generate a phylogeny from 2460 orthologous genes across 25 theraphosid genera, representing all of the major theraphosid subfamilies, except Selenogyrinae. For the first time our phylogeny recovers a monophyletic group that comprises the vast majority of New World theraphosid subfamilies including Aviculariinae and Theraphosinae. Concurrently, we provide additional evidence for the integrity of questionable subfamilies, such as Poecilotheriinae and Psalmopoeinae, and support the non-monophyly of Ischnocolinae. The deeper relationships between almost all subfamilies are confidently inferred for the first time. We also used our phylogeny in tandem with published morphological data to perform ancestral state analyses on urticating setae. This revealed that the evolution of this important defensive trait might be explained by three equally parsimonious scenarios.


1985 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Duffels

Rhadinopyga n. gen. is erected for Diceropyga recedens (Walker) from Salawati, D. impar (Walker) and D. acuminata Duffels, both from Waigeo, and Rhadinopyga epiplatys n. sp. from the “Vogelkop” area ( = Tjendrawasih) of New Guinea and the islands of Misoöl and Batjan. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a sister-group relationship of Rhadinopyga n. gen. and Diceropyga Stål. The endemism of Rhadinopyga in the “Vogelkop” area is discussed in connection with the geological history of the area and the historical biogeography of the subtribe Cosmopsaltriaria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1895) ◽  
pp. 20182076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic A. Evangelista ◽  
Benjamin Wipfler ◽  
Olivier Béthoux ◽  
Alexander Donath ◽  
Mari Fujita ◽  
...  

Phylogenetic relationships among subgroups of cockroaches and termites are still matters of debate. Their divergence times and major phenotypic transitions during evolution are also not yet settled. We addressed these points by combining the first nuclear phylogenomic study of termites and cockroaches with a thorough approach to divergence time analysis, identification of endosymbionts, and reconstruction of ancestral morphological traits and behaviour. Analyses of the phylogenetic relationships within Blattodea robustly confirm previously uncertain hypotheses such as the sister-group relationship between Blaberoidea and remaining Blattodea, and Lamproblatta being the closest relative to the social and wood-feeding Cryptocercus and termites. Consequently, we propose new names for various clades in Blattodea: Cryptocercus + termites = Tutricablattae; Lamproblattidae + Tutricablattae = Kittrickea; and Blattoidea + Corydioidea = Solumblattodea. Our inferred divergence times contradict previous studies by showing that most subgroups of Blattodea evolved in the Cretaceous, reducing the gap between molecular estimates of divergence times and the fossil record. On a phenotypic level, the blattodean ground-plan is for egg packages to be laid directly in a hole while other forms of oviposition, including ovovivipary and vivipary, arose later. Finally, other changes in egg care strategy may have allowed for the adaptation of nest building and other novelties.


1994 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Adrain ◽  
B. D. E. Chatterton

The genus Otarion Zenker, 1833, first appears in the Wenlock simultaneously with Cyphaspis Burmeister, 1843, as the oldest known species of each occur together in the southern Mackenzie Mountains of the Canadian Northwest Territories. The genera are unambiguous sister groups, a relationship supported most compellingly by a uniquely derived and distinctive pattern of juvenile cephalic spines, shared also with the Carboniferous genus Namuropyge Richter and Richter, 1939. This sister group relationship permits the development of a robust and stratigraphically correlated hypothesis of relationship among the adequately known species of Otarion, Otarion, Cyphaspis, and Namuropyge constitute the tribe Otarionini. The Mississippian genus Dixiphopyge Brezinski, 1988, may also belong to Otarionini. Namuropyge is a paedomorph, likely derived from a Degree Six or Seven meraspid of an older species of uncertain position in the Otarion–Cyphaspis clade.Three Wenlock species of Otarion occur in stratigraphic succession in a single section in the Mackenzie Mountains. Analysis of morphological change with time, and of sequential ontogenies, suggests that the Silurian history of the genus was dominated by incidents of peramorphosis.New species are Otarion huddyi, O. beukeboomi, and O. coppinsensis. Otarion brauni Perry and Chatterton, 1979, is revised.


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