scholarly journals Ovipositor and mouthparts in a fossil insect support a novel ecological role for early orthopterans in 300 million years old forests

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Chen ◽  
Jun-Jie Gu ◽  
Qiang Yang ◽  
Dong Ren ◽  
Alexander Blanke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Uptake System ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Insect Fauna ◽  
Fossil Insect ◽  
Early Diversification ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Plant Foliage

A high portion of the earliest known insect fauna is composed of the so-called ‘lobeattid insects’, whose systematic affinities and role as foliage feeders remain debated. We investigated hundreds of samples of a new lobeattid species from the Xiaheyan locality using a combination of photographic techniques, including reflectance transforming imaging, geometric morphometrics, and biomechanics to document its morphology, and infer its phylogenetic position and ecological role. Ctenoptilus frequens sp. nov. possessed a sword-shaped ovipositor with valves interlocked by two ball-and-socket mechanisms, lacked jumping hind-legs, and certain wing venation features. This combination of characters unambiguously supports lobeattids as stem relatives of all living Orthoptera (crickets, grasshoppers, katydids). Given the herein presented and other remains, it follows that this group experienced an early diversification and, additionally, occurred in high individual numbers. The ovipositor shape indicates that ground was the preferred substrate for eggs. Visible mouthparts made it possible to assess the efficiency of the mandibular food uptake system in comparison to a wide array of extant species. The new species was likely omnivorous which explains the paucity of external damage on contemporaneous plant foliage.

scholarly journals Ovipositor and mouthparts in a fossil insect support a novel ecological role for early orthopterans in Pennsylvanian forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Chen ◽  
Jun-Jie Gu ◽  
Qiang Yang ◽  
Dong Ren ◽  
Alexander Blanke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Geometric Morphometrics ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Uptake System ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Food Uptake ◽  
Fossil Insect ◽  
Early Diversification ◽  
Plant Foliage ◽  
Recent Species

Lobeattid insects represented a high portion of the earliest known, Pennsylvanian insect faunas. However, their systematic affinities and their role as foliage feeders which severely influenced their ecosystems remain debated. We investigated hundreds of samples of a new lobeattid species from the Xiaheyan locality using Reflectance Transforming Imaging combined with geometric morphometrics in order to assess its morphology, infer its ecological role, and phylogenetic position. Ctenoptilus frequens sp. nov. possessed a sword-shaped ovipositor whose valves interlocked by two ball-and-socket mechanisms. This unambiguously supports lobeattids as stem-relatives of all Orthoptera (crickets, grasshoppers, katydids). Given the herein presented and other remains, it follows that this group experienced an early diversification coupled with high levels of abundance. The ovipositor shape additionally indicates that ground was the preferred substrate for eggs. Visible mouthparts made it possible to assess the efficiency of the mandibular food uptake system in comparison to a wide array of recent species. The new species was omnivorous which explains the paucity of external damage on contemporaneous plant foliage.

Discovery of a new species of the Cretaceous genus Microphorites Hennig, 1971 (Diptera: Dolichopodidae s. lat.) in Paleogene amber from eastern Moravia (Czech Republic)

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Tkoč ◽  
André Nel ◽  
Jakub Prokop
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
New Species ◽  
Middle Eocene ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Radial Vein ◽  
Complete Cell ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
Extinct Genus ◽  
A New Species

A new species of the extinct genusMicrophoritesHennig, 1971 (Dolichopodidae s. lat.: Microphorinae) is described from a single female preserved in Študlov amber (Moravia, Czech Republic), currently dated from the Paleocene to the middle Eocene.Microphorites moravicussp. n. has the typical wing venation of the genus, e.g., three radial veins, crossvein r-m, crossvein bm-cu complete, cell dm, two medial veins and vein CuA1. It differs from the other species ofMicrophoritesby the long antenna, with prolonged and laterally compressed first flagellomere and presence of a pterostigma at the fusion of the first radial vein and costa. A comparison ofM. moravicuswith all other species ofMicrophorites, as well as fossil and extant species ofMicrophorMacquart, 1827 is given. The age and source plant of Študlov amber is discussed in terms of newly performed geochemical analyses.

Blera miocenica: a new species of Early Miocene hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the Czech Republic and its palaeoenvironmental significance

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jiří Hadrava ◽  
Valentin Nidergas ◽  
Klára Daňková ◽  
Martina Pecharová ◽  
André Nel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
New Species ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Early Miocene ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
A New Species

A new species of fossil hoverfly (Syrphidae: Eristalinae), i.e., Blera miocenica sp. nov. is described from the Early Miocene (Burdigalian) of Bílina mine in the Most Basin, Czech Republic. The species description is based on a well preserved compressed fossil and it represents the first known fossil record of the genus Blera Billberg, 1820 so far. B. miocenica sp. nov. diagnosis is based on the wing venation and other body characters like the coloration pattern of abdomen. The resemblance of the new fossil to extant species of Blera is briefly discussed. The previously suggested palaeoenvironmental conditions at the type locality are in agreement with the knowledge on autecology of recent representatives of the genus Blera (i.e., larval feeding strategy, adult habitat preferences and flower visitation). Thus, we conclude that fossil hoverflies could be a helpful tool for the indication of past habitats.

Lower Permian "mecopteroid-like" insects from central Europe (Insecta, Endopterygota)

1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarmila Kukalova-Peck ◽  
Rainer Willmann
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Kuznetsk Basin ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Lower Permian ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Ground Plan ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Media

Five new genera and eight new species of endopterygote insects are described from Lower Permian (Asselian and Artinskian) strata from Moravia, Czechoslovakia. Three of the genera belong to the family Protomeropidae: Pseudomerope n.gen. (including Pseudomerope mareki n.sp., Pseudomerope havlati n.sp., Pseudomerope oborana n.sp., Pseudomerope gallei n.sp.); Pseudomeropella n.gen. (including Pseudomeropella nekvasilovae n.sp.); and Stenomerope n.gen. (including Stenomerope spinari n.sp.). The fourth genus, Moravochorista n.gen. (including Moravochorista Carolina n.sp.), is similar to Pinnachorista and Kaltanochorista from the Lower Permian of the Kuznetsk Basin, USSR, but has not been assigned to a higher taxon. The phylogenetic position of both the Protomeropidae and Moravochorista and of their allies, within the endopterygotes is unclear. The fifth genus, Microptysmella n.gen. (including Microptysmella moravica n.sp.), may be the earliest known member of Amphiesmenoptera, since it exhibits almost the same wing venation as the amphiesmenopteran Microptysma sibiricum Martynova from the Lower Permian of the USSR.Wing-venation symbols homologous within the pterygote ground plan have been used in the descriptions. The vein "M5" of earlier authors is regarded as homologous to a convex cross-vein (strut) between the media posterior and the cubitus anterior, which is shared primitively by all endopterygotes, and is not a "fifth medial branch."

Paepalanthus fabianeae (Eriocaulaceae): A New Microendemic Species from a Morphologically Coherent Clade

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-801
Author(s):  
Caroline Oliveira Andrino ◽  
Marcelo Fragomeni Simon ◽  
Jair Eustáquio Quintino Faria ◽  
André Luiz da Costa Moreira ◽  
Paulo Takeo Sano
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Infrageneric Classification ◽  
Espinhaço Range ◽  
Nuclear Its ◽  
Two Populations

Abstract—We describe and illustrate Paepalanthus fabianeae, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the central portion of the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Previous phylogenetic evidence based on analyses of nuclear (ITS and ETS) and plastid (trnL-trnF and psba-trnH) sequences revealed P. fabianeae as belonging to a strongly supported and morphologically coherent clade containing five other species, all of them microendemic, restricted to the Espinhaço range. Due to the infrageneric classification of Paepalanthus being highly artificial, we preferred not assigning P. fabianeae to any infrageneric group. Paepalanthus fabianeae is known from two populations growing in campos rupestres (highland rocky fields) in the meridional Espinhaço Range. The species is characterized by pseudodichotomously branched stems, small, linear, recurved, and reflexed leaves, urceolate capitula, and bifid stigmas. Illustrations, photos, the phylogenetic position, and a detailed description, as well as comments on habitat, morphology, and affinities with similar species are provided. The restricted area of occurrence allied with threats to the quality of the habitat, mainly due to quartzite mining, justifies the preliminary classification of the new species in the Critically Endangered (CR) category using the guidelines and criteria of the IUCN Red List.

A new species of lambdarina (rhynchonellida, brachiopoda) from the viséan of central sudetes (Poland) and its phylogenetic position

2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Muszer
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Tropical Waters ◽  
Marginal Seas ◽  
Sw Poland ◽  
A New Species

Abstract A new species of micromorphic articulate brachiopod (Rhynchonellida) Lambdarina jugowiensis sp. nov., from the upper Visean (Sokolec Beds) of central Sudetes, SW Poland, is described. The studied specimens are calcified, what makes them unique in respect of their state of preservation. The material is represented by a full range of growth stages; from brephic to gerontic. Based on its morphological features and the palaeogeographical distribution of all its known species, two main evolutionary lines are proposed for the genus; the Australian and the European ones. Lambdarina was widely distributed in the equatorial-tropical waters of marginal seas of the Palaeotethys Ocean, mostly during Mississippian time.

Soil and litter nematode diversity of Mount Hamiguitan, the Philippines, with description of Bicirronema hamiguitanense n. sp. (Rhabditida: Bicirronematidae)

Nematology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Qing ◽  
Wim Bert ◽  
Hanne Steel ◽  
Joeseph Quisado ◽  
Irma Tandingan De Ley
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Lateral Field ◽  
Nematode Diversity ◽  
Common Group

The nematode diversity in soil and litter was investigated on Mount Hamiguitan, the Philippines, along four eco-habitats from elevations of 75-1600 m a.s.l. A total of 155 and 467 nematodes were identified to 39 and 62 genera from litter and soil, respectively. The nematode assemblages and diversity did not show any relation to eco-habitat or elevation. Bacterivorous nematodes were the most common group (37.5%). Acrobeloides was most abundant from the soil and Aphelenchoides from the litter. Bicirronema hamiguitanense n. sp. is herein described based on morphology, morphometrics and molecular data. The new species has the following diagnostic features: a wide lateral field one-fifth of its body diam. with four incisures forming two ornamented ridges; gubernaculum with proximal thickening; spicules (35-38 μm) and gubernaculum (18-20 μm) longer than B. caledoniense; and with 37 molecular autapomorphies supporting its new species status. The phylogenetic position of the new species within Cephalobomorpha is discussed.

A new species of Odontepyris (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae: Bethylinae) from East Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
RYUDAI ITO ◽  
TOSHIHARU MITA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South Korea ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Palaearctic Species ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Morphological Variations ◽  
Median Area ◽  
A New Species

Odontepyris costatus sp. nov. is described from Japan and Taiwan. This new species is most similar to O. formosicola Terayama, 1997 known from Cambodia and Taiwan according to the key to the Eastern Palaearctic Odontepyris. O. costatus sp. nov. can be distinguished from the latter by the relatively small eye and the wide metapectal-propodeal disc. It is also similar to O. telortis Lim & Lee, 2009 known from South Korea, but it is distinguished from O. telortis by the imbricate median area of metapostnotum. The morphological variations and diagnostic characters of the Eastern Palaearctic species are briefly discussed and the modified key to species is provided. Key words: new species, Japan, Taiwan, wing venation

The Psychodidae (Diptera) of Jaú National Park (Amazonas, Brazil) with description of two new species of Psychodinae

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5032 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
DANILO PACHECO CORDEIRO ◽  
KARINA KETHELEN SILVA DE AQUINO ◽  
VERACILDA RIBEIRO ALVES
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Conservation Unit ◽  
Insect Fauna ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
First Time

The Jaú National Park, located in the Amazon, is the largest National Park of Brazil and still its insect fauna is barely known. Herein we describe two new species of Psychodinae, Alepia iy sp. nov. and Parasetomima timmirima sp. nov., and report 19 other species of Psychodidae, subfamilies Phlebotominae, Psychodinae and Trichomyiinae collected from this Conservation Unit. Micrommatos Quate & Brown, represented by M. stephaniae Quate & Brown, and Platyplastinx culmosus Quate & Brown are recorded for the first time for Brazil. Among the collected phlebotomine sand fly species, three species have previously been implicated in transmission of Leishmania: Nyssomyia anduzei (Rozeboom), Psychodopygus ayrozai (Barretto & Coutinho) and Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira).  

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