Comparative analysis of chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems in Paraneoptera (Insecta)

This article is part (the 4th article) of the themed issue (a monograph) “Aberrant cytogenetic and reproductive patterns in the evolution of Paraneoptera”. The purpose of this article is to consider chromosome structure and evolution, chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems, which all together constitute the chromosomal basis of reproduction and are essential for reproductive success. We are based on our own observations and literature data available for all major lineages of Paraneoptera including Zoraptera (angel insects), Copeognatha (=Psocoptera; bark lice), Parasita (=Phthiraptera s. str; true lice), Thysanoptera (thrips), Homoptera (scale insects, aphids, jumping plant-lice, whiteflies, and true hoppers), Heteroptera (true bugs), and Coleorrhyncha (moss bugs). Terminology, nomenclature, classification, and the study methods are given in the first paper of the issue (Gavrilov-Zimin et al. 2021).

Debris-carrying behaviour of bark lice immatures preserved in 100 million years old amber

Camouflage strategies, including several types of concealments, are known for several insect groups today, such as immatures of some species within reduviid bugs (Hemiptera), lace wings (Neuroptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera) and bark lice (Psocodea). However, camouflage has only rarely been reported in the fossil record. Here we report findings of four bark lice preserved in 100 Million year old amber from Myanmar, which represent the first fossil evidence for masking behaviour in Cretaceous representatives of Psocodea. All four of these, probably not conspecific, and immature bark lice carry sand granules and organic material atop their back, which probably resulted in camouflaging them against the background (e.g. bark) to avoid detection by predators. We briefly summarise concepts of camouflage and examples of decoration behaviour within insects, as well as possible “receiver” (i.e. predators) of the camouflage of the herein described bark lice. The exact phylogenetic position of the specimens remains unclear, due to the scarce fossil record of Cretaceous immatures of Psocodea, as well as extant immatures. This demonstrates the importance of findings as reported here, as a wide knowledge of morphology and development of a certain group is crucial to get an insight into their evolution and reconstructing environments in deep time.

Mechanisms of Survival of Arthropods in the World

The phylum Arthropoda is commonly divided into four subphyla of extant forms: Chelicerate (arachnids), Crustacea (crustaceans), Hexapoda (insects and springtails), and Myriapoda (millipedes and centipedes). Arthropods are classified as [Subclass] Apterygial including: Archaeognatha (Order: Microcoryphia), three-pronged bristletails (Order: Thysanura). [Subclass] Pterygota including : Biting and Sucking lice (Order: Phthiraptera), Booklice and Bark lice (Order: Psocoptera) Cockroaches (Order: Blattodea), Dragonflies and Damselflies (Order: Odonata), Earwigs (Order: Dermaptera), Grasshoppers and Crickets (Order: Orthoptera), Praying Mantids (Order: Mantodea), Mayflies (Order: Ephemeroptera), Stick insects and Leaf insects (Order: Phasmatodea), Stoneflies (Order: Plecoptera), Termites (Previously Order: Isoptera but now part of Order: Blattodea), Thrips (Order: Thysanoptera), True Bugs (Order: Hemiptera), Web-spinners (Order: Embioptera), Zorapterans (Order: Zoraptera), Alderflies, Dobsonflies & Fishflies (Order: Megaloptera), Bees, Wasps and Ants (Order: Hymenoptera), Beetles (Order: Coleoptera), Butterflies and Moths (Order: Lepidoptera), Caddisflies (Order: Trichoptera), Fleas (Order: Siphonaptera), Flies (Order: Diptera), Lacewings, Antlions & Mantidflies (Order: Neuroptera), Scorpionflies (Order: Mecoptera), Snakeflies (Order: Raphidioptera), Strepsipterans (Order: Strepsiptera). Over one million species of insects have been discovered and described but it is estimated that there may be as many as 10 million species on earth. Insects have been around for more than 350 million years, longer than the dinosaurs and flowering plants (Figure. 1).

Keys for Isolation suborders and Families and genera and species of Book and Bark lice in Baghdad and Babylon [Order PSOCOPTERA]

A taxonomic keys was established of book and bark lice Order Psocoptera to isolated insects in Iraq from different localities of Baghdad and Babylon provinces. Thirteen species belong to eight genera and five families have been studied and described in details, these species were recorded for the first time in Iraq. These species are: Belaphopsocus badonneli New, 1971; Belaphotroctes oculeris Bodonnel, 1973; Embodopsocosis newi Bodonnel, 1973; Epipsocus stigamaticus Mockeord, 1991; Lepinotus huoni Schmidt and New, 2008; Liposcelies decolor Peramane 1925 Liposcelies paeta Pearman 1942 Liposclies bostrychphila Badonnel 1931; Liposclies brunnea Mostchulsky 1852; Liposclies entoophila Enderlein 1907; Neopsocopsis minuscule Li 2002 ; Nonapsocus oceanicus Pearman 1928.; Identification key to suborders, families, genera and species were designed according to differences of morphological characters. Adults were described in details and all body parts were pictured and some of them drawn by Camera Lucid