scholarly journals Deducing how tropical rhyssines (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) mate from body measurements

2021 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Sanna Keronen ◽  
Ilari E. Sääksjärvi ◽  
Tapani Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Mating Strategies ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Body Measurements

The biology of many Darwin wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) species is poorly known. Existing museum specimens can potentially be used to get information on e.g. how species live, what they eat, and what their life cycle is. One example of this is a 1991 study by Eggleton in which he measured some rhyssine (Ichneumonidae: Rhyssinae) species, and used the results to deduce how the species likely mate. We extend this work by measuring five tropical species. We found no evidence that the males of our species scramble for females before the females emerge, which matches what was hypothesised by Eggleton. Further measurements of more species would provide information on how other species mate, and field observations of mating rhyssines would help confirm that Eggleton’s method for deducing rhyssine mating strategies gives true results.

scholarly journals Natural history of Ctenus medius Keyserling, 1891 (Araneae, Ctenidae) I: observations on habitats and the development of chromatic patterns

2000 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. ALMEIDA ◽  
E. F. RAMOS ◽  
E. GOUVÊA ◽  
M. do CARMO-SILVA ◽  
J. COSTA
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Natural History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Mata Atlântica ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
History Of ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Phoneutria Nigriventer

Ctenus medius Keyserling, 1891 is a common species in several spots of Mata Atlântica, however there is a great lack of studies in all aspects of its natural history. This work aims to elucidate aspects of ecotope preference compared to large spiders, and to provide data on the development of chromatic patterns during its life cycle. The observations on the behavior of C. medius were done in the campus of Centro Universitário de Barra Mansa (UBM) by means of observations and nocturnal collections using cap lamps. For observations on the development of chromatic patterns, spiderlings raised in laboratory, hatched from an oviposition of a female from campus of UBM, and others spiderlings collected in field were used. The field observations indicate that: C. medius seems to prefer ecotopes characterized by dense shrub vegetation or herbal undergrowth; Lycosa erythrognatha and L. nordeskioldii seems to prefer open sites; Phoneutria nigriventer seems to prefer shrub vegetation and anthropogenic ecotopes as rubbish hills; Ancylometes sp. seems to prefer ecotopes near streams. Concerning chromatic patterns, it was observed that males and females show well distinct patterns during the last two instars, allowing distinction by sex without the use of a microscope. Through chromatic patterns it was also possible to draw a distinction between C. medius and C. ornatus longer that 3 mm cephalothorax width. 69 specimens of C. medius (males and females) collected in the campus of UBM did not show a striking polymorphism in chromatic pattern, but one among 7 adult females collected in National Park of Itatiaia, showed a distinct chromatic pattern.

scholarly journals Strong whole life-cycle inbreeding depression in Daphnia magna enhanced by partial asexuality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina G. Tambovtseva ◽  
Anton A. Zharov ◽  
Christoph R. Haag ◽  
Yan R. Galimov
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Inbreeding Depression ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Mating Strategies ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Entire Life ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

ABSTRACTInbreeding depression is a key factor in the evolution of mating strategies and breeding systems across the eukaryotic tree of life. Yet its potential impact in partially asexual species has only received little attention. We studied inbreeding depression in the cyclical parthenogen Daphnia magna by following mixtures of inbred and outbred genotypes from an early embryonic stage through hatching to adulthood and then across several asexual generations. We found that, across asexual generations, the frequency of inbred genotypes strongly and constantly decreased, until the experimental populations were almost entirely made up of outbred genotypes. The resulting estimate of inbreeding depression across the entire life cycle was almost 100 %, much higher than previous estimates for this and other similar species. Our results illustrate that the magnitude of inbreeding depression may be severely underestimated in studies that use fitness components or proxies instead of compound fitness estimates across the entire life, as well as in experimental studies with substantial pre-experimental mortality. More generally, our results suggest that inbreeding depression may play an important role in the evolution of partially asexual life cycles because clonal reproduction maintains inbreeding levels, and hence the negative effects of inbreeding accumulate across subsequent asexual generations.

scholarly journals Intromittent Organ Morphology and Testis Size in Relation to Mating System in Waterfowl

The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Coker ◽  
Frank McKinney ◽  
Helen Hays ◽  
Susan V. Briggs ◽  
Kimberly M. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Mating Strategies ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Size Number ◽  
Actual Mechanism

Abstract The waterfowl family Anatidae is one of very few avian taxa that possesses an intromittent organ. This paper examines the adaptive significance of the intromittent organ in waterfowl by determining the relationships between intromittent organ morphology and the intensity of sperm competition (as reflected by frequency of forced extrapair copulations [FEPCs]). Intromittent organ morphological characteristics, including length and circumference (adjusted for body size), number of ridges and knobs (per unit area), ridge or knob height, ridge or knob span, and area covered by ridges and knobs, were measured from scaled drawings of museum specimens of 54 waterfowl species (33 genera), 27 of which were ranked by frequency of FEPC (1 = monogamous, 2 = rare FEPC, 3 = frequent FEPC, and 4 = polygynous or promiscuous). Testes sizes were also investigated in relation to FEPCs, where testes mass (adjusted for body size) from 44 species (24 genera) were obtained (29 species with mating strategies). The size of the testes, the length of the intromittent organ, the height of the intromittent organ ridges and knobs, and the area covered by ridges and knobs increased significantly with the frequency of FEPC, and those relationships exist after correcting for common ancestry constraints. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that waterfowl intromittent organs are involved in sperm competition. Further research into the actual mechanism by which the intromittent organ is involved would be worthwhile.

Biology of the Afrotropical Sepedonella nana (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), whose larvae feed only on freshwater Aulophorus furcatus (Oligochaeta: Naididae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3102 (1) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEANCLAUDE VALA ◽  
LOUIS GHÉLUS GBEDJISSI
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Abdominal Segment ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Characteristic Distribution ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Physical Attributes

All studies during the last six decades have stated that sciomyzid larvae are strictly malacophagous. However, the Afrotropical sciomyzid Sepedonella nana species was found in this study to feed only on the small freshwater oligochaete, Aulophorus furcatus. The divergent oligophagous feeding behaviour of this species was investigated. The physical attributes of the egg, first-, secondand third-instar larvae, and the puparium are described. Four types of sensilla—coeloconicum, trichodeum, chaeticum, and styloconicum—are present with a characteristic distribution on each tagma. Each thoracic segment is distinguished by presence of a pair of Keilin’s organ on ventral surface. Each abdominal segment has eleven pairs of the same sensilla types; their variable locations are presented. Population dynamics of the adults are shown from our field investigations in permanent and temporary freshwater biotopes during 1996–2008. The life cycle of the species is presented from our field observations and laboratory experiments. Among the 62 species of Afrotropical Sciomyzidae, this is the eighth species for which life-cycle is entirely resolved.

scholarly journals Geographic distribution and conservation status of the bay cat Catopuma badia, a Bornean endemic

Oryx ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mohd-Azlan ◽  
Jim Sanderson
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Historical Records ◽  
The World

AbstractDespite being one of the rarest felids in the world the Endangered Bornean bay cat Catopuma badia has received little conservation attention. Most information consists of historical records, morphological descriptions, and anecdotes from various sources. During 2003–2006 we undertook surveys using camera trapping, interviews and field observations, to determine the species’ distribution and document any threats to its persistence. We also examined museum specimens and completed a thorough literature review, collecting 15 additional geographic records throughout Borneo. Our results show that opportunistic hunting and land use changes are the main threats to the bay cat, and we make recommendations for its conservation.

scholarly journals The Tenasserim Lutung, Trachypithecus barbei (Blyth, 1847) (Primates: Cercopithecidae): Description of a live specimen, and a reassessment of phylogenetic affinities, taxonomic history, and distribution

2004 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Geissmann ◽  
Colin P. Groves ◽  
Christian Roos
Keyword(s):  
Distinct Species ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Taxonomic History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Live Specimen ◽  
Phylogenetic Affinities

The Tenasserim lutung Trachypithecus barbei was previously known from museum specimens and field observations only. We discovered a zoo specimen and present the first confirmed evidence for the continued existence of the species since 1967. We describe the cranial pelage and coloration characteristics of this species which were previously unknown. We present first molecular evidence for recognizing T. barbei as a distinct species and for assessing its phylogenetic affinities relative to other members of the genus Trachypithecus. We document the taxonomic history of T. barbei and present a distribution map based on a compilation of all known locality records.

Reproduction in the Western Pygmy-Possum, Cercartetus-Concinnus (Marsupialia, Burramyidae), With Notes on Reproduction of Some Other Small Possum Species

1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Ward
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Embryonic Diapause ◽  
Median Septum ◽  
Reproductive Anatomy ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
North Western

The patterns of breeding and reproduction in Cercartetus concinnus were investigated through the histology of specimens in Australian museums, field observations in north-western Victoria, and published accounts. Histology of the reproductive tracts of museum specimens of female C. nanus, C. lepidus, Acrobates pygmaeus and Distoechurus pennatus was also undertaken to elaborate on reproduction in these species. Young of C. concinnus are born in most months, and some reproductively active males are probably present at all times of the year. Embryonic diapause occurs during the unilaminar blastocyst stage of embryonic development; the blastocysts expand slowly during diapause. The presence of embryos in the uteri of lactating female D. pennatus and C. lepidus suggests that diapause is also probable in these species. The gross anatomies of the female reproductive tracts of the five small possum species are described. Cercartetus spp. have a vaginal system characterised by voluminous culs-de-sac, and only vestigial remains of a median septum. This contrasts with the condition in the two acrobatids, in which the vaginal culs-de-sac are smaller and divided by a prominent septum. The male reproductive anatomy of C. concinnus is similar to that of C. lepidus. The prostate is carrot-shaped and its internal structure is unlike that described for other marsupial groups.

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