scholarly journals Influence of Elytral Color Pattern, Size, and Sex of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) on Parasite Prevalence and Intensity of Hesperomyces virescens (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales)

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny Haelewaters ◽  
Thomas Hiller ◽  
Michał Gorczak ◽  
Donald Pfister
Author(s):  
Danny Haelewaters ◽  
Thomas Hiller ◽  
Michał Gorczak ◽  
Donald H. Pfister

Harmonia axyridis is an invasive ladybird (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) with the potential to outcompete native ladybird species in its invasive distribution area. It was introduced as a biological control agent in many countries but has also spread unintentionally in many others. Hesperomyces virescens (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales) is a minute (200–400 µm in size) biotrophic fungus that infects over 30 species of ladybirds. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether elytral colour pattern, size, and sex of Ha. axyridis affect infection by H. virescens. Colouration in Ha. axyridis has been linked to the presence of an antimicrobial alkaloid (harmonine). In fall 2016, we collected 763 Ha. axyridis individuals in Cambridge, Massaschusetts, of which 119 (16%) bore H. virescens fruiting bodies. We analysed 160 individuals concerning prevalence and intensity of infection by H. virescens. Elytral sizes and colouration patterns were quantified using digital photography and analytical methods. Smaller ladybirds had a higher prevalence and higher intensity of parasitism. Additionally, male ladybirds bore more thalli compared to female ladybirds. Elytral colour patterns had an effect on neither prevalence nor intensity of infection by Laboulbeniales in our dataset. This suggests that development of Laboulbeniales may be unaffected by certain insect alkaloids.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1614 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARIOVALDO A. GIARETTA ◽  
JÚLIO C. DE OLIVEIRA FILHO ◽  
MARCELO N. DE C. KOKUBUM

We describe a new species of Phyllomedusa with reticulated pattern on the flanks from the State of Minas Gerais and provide data on its advertisement call, habitat, and tadpole. The new species differs from other species of the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis group in color pattern, size, advertisement call, and breeding site. Phyllomedusa oreades topotypes and P. megacephala differ from the new species by lacking a reticulate pattern bordering the upper jaw and encircling the eyes. In P. ayeaye and P. itacolomi the hidden parts of legs present circular cells while in the new species this pattern is barred. The call of the new species has shorter notes than that of P. megacephala. The new species is smaller than P. centralis, P. megacephala, and P. itacolomi. From P. oreades topotypes, the new species differs also by presenting a broader reticulated stripe on flanks; a better defined reticulated pattern on throat, belly and ventral surfaces of hind limbs, and less projected nostrils. In life, the new species present dark blue reticulation on flanks, not black as in P. centralis, gray as in P. ayeaye or deep purple as in P. itacolomi. The new species is a pond breeder while P. centralis, P. megacephala and P. oreades are stream breeders. It can be distinguished from the remaining species of the P. hypochondrialis group by presenting a reticulate pattern bordering the upper jaw and eyes and orange cells with dark blue reticulations on flanks.


1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (01) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia H. Kelley ◽  
Charles T. Swann

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.


Author(s):  
Michael Beer ◽  
J. W. Wiggins ◽  
David Woodruff ◽  
Jon Zubin

A high resolution scanning transmission electron microscope of the type developed by A. V. Crewe is under construction in this laboratory. The basic design is completed and construction is under way with completion expected by the end of this year.The optical column of the microscope will consist of a field emission electron source, an accelerating lens, condenser lens, objective lens, diffraction lens, an energy dispersive spectrometer, and three electron detectors. For any accelerating voltage the condenser lens function to provide a parallel beam at the entrance of the objective lens. The diffraction lens is weak and its current will be controlled by the objective lens current to give an electron diffraction pattern size which is independent of small changes in the objective lens current made to achieve focus at the specimen. The objective lens demagnifies the image of the field emission source so that its Gaussian size is small compared to the aberration limit.


1972 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. T. DE DOMBAL ◽  
J. C. HORROCKS ◽  
J. R. STANILAND ◽  
P. J. GUILLOU

This paper describes a series of 10,500 attempts at »pattern-recognition« by two groups of humans and a computer based system. There was little difference between the performances of 11 clinicians and 11 other persons of comparable intellectual capability. Both groups’ performances were related to the pattern-size, the accuracy diminishing rapidly as the patterns grew larger. By contrast the computer system increased its accuracy as the patterns increased in size.It is suggested (a) that clinicians are very little better than others at pattem-recognition, (b) that the clinician is incapable of analysing on a probabilistic basis the data he collects during a traditional clinical interview and examination and (c) that the study emphasises once again a major difference between human and computer performance. The implications as - regards human- and computer-aided diagnosis are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-519
Author(s):  
Е. Б. ЛОПАТИНА ◽  
◽  
С. Я. РЕЗНИК ◽  
А. Н ОВЧИННИКОВ ◽  
А. А. ОВЧИННИКОВА ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 819-825
Author(s):  
Б. В. Андрианов ◽  
Д. А. Романов ◽  
Т. В. Горелова ◽  
И. И. Горячева
Keyword(s):  

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