Influence of selected biogenic amines on development and demographic parameters of a temperate population of Cinara (Cupressobium) cupressi (Hemiptera, Aphididae)

Cinara (Cupressobium) cupressi, the cypress aphid, is a serious pest of Cupressus spp. and other Cupressaceae, considered to be one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. The potential influence of selected biogenic amines (tryptamine, tyramine, putrescine, and cadaverine) on development and demographic parameters of a temperate population of the cypress aphid was investigated under laboratory conditions. Within parthenogenetic generations, the use of biogenic amines resulted in a significant reduction in the total fecundity and the average daily fecundity both in the fundatrix (F0) and the fundatrigeniae (F1), whereas this influence in the F5 generation was insignificant. In all parthenogenetic generations treated with amines, the dissected female abdomen contained a greater number of mature embryos compared to control samples. Cadaverine caused marked changes in the body length of all viviparous generations studied and a significant reduction in the number of developing embryos, compared to the control sample. The use of biogenic amines did not significantly affect the number of eggs produced by oviparous females but had an impact on their lifespan. Our results indicate that biogenic amines application may disrupt feeding behavior and thus leads to reduced fecundity, consistent with the observation of reduced embryo production. Consequently, bioamines can be used as an alternative agents to control this important pest species.

Taxonomy of the Neolycaena (Rhymnaria) davidi (Oberthür, 1881) species group, with the description of two new taxa from Russia and China (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

Poorly known taxa of the Neolycaena (Rhymnaria) davidi (Oberthür, 1881) species group are reviewed in the light of modern findings. The taxon kozlovi Zhdanko, 1996 previously considered a subspecies of N. (R.) davidi is recognised here as a separate species, N. (R.) kozlovi Zhdanko, 1996, stat. rev., including the subspecies N. (R.) kozlovi namkhaidorji Churkin, 2004, comb. nov., based on morphological differences, the geographic isolation and ecological specialisation. A new species, N. (R.) markhasiovi sp. n., is described from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China (Eastern Tian Shan, the Karlik Mountains) on the basis of distinct genitalia morphology and features of the external morphology, including colouration of the female abdomen. Populations of the subgenus Rhymnaria from southern Tuva in Russia (the Tannu-Ola Mountains) are described as a separate subspecies, N. (R.) davidi tannuola ssp. n. A checklist of the taxa of the N. (R.) davidi species group including data on their distribution and host plants is presented, as well as a key to the species of the group.

First record of the cimicomorphan family Plokiophilidae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) from China, with description of a new species of Plokiophiloides

Plokiophiloides bannaensissp. nov., is described from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, representing the first record of the family Plokiophilidae from China. The new species also represents the first record of the genus Plokiophiloides in the Oriental Region, a second zoogeographical region besides the Afrotropical Region. Photographs of the live individuals inhabiting a spider web within natural habitats, male and female habitus, wings of adult, male genitalic structures, female abdomen structures and scanning electron micrographs of forewing, head, thorax and legs are provided. A key to all known species of Plokiophiloides is presented, with a distribution map.

Megacraniinae—The Palm Stick Insects: A new subfamily of Old World Phasmatodea and a redefinition of Platycraninae Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893 (Phasmatodea: “Anareolatae”)

The subfamily Platycraninae Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893 is polyphyletic in the traditional treatment. None of the genera attributed to the subfamily is closely related to the type-genus Platycrana Gray, 1835, which has already been suggested by morphological studies. The main key feature of Platycraninae traditionally used to characterize the subfamily, the remarkably large head and strongly enlarged genae (“cheeks”), is not true for Platycrana. Consequently, all other genera, the true “Palm Stick Insects” need to be removed from Platycraninae and are here accommodated in Megacraniinae subfam. nov.. Megacrania Kaup, 1871 is chosen as the type-genus of this new subfamily, because the name very well describes the main characteristic of this clade. Previous molecular studies have shown Megacraniinae subfam. nov. to be a member of the Old World family Phasmatidae s. str. (= Lanceocercata Bradler, 2001), which is characterized by the enlarged, laterally flattened and foliaceous or lanceolate cerci and by the male anal segment longitudinally split into two movable, interiorly dentate hemi-tergites that serve as a clasping apparatus to grasp the female abdomen during copulation and makes lacking a vomer. Neither character is true for Platycrana and Platycraninae sensu nov. respectively. Molecular studies have revealed Platycraninae sensu novo as the sister group of Phasmatidae s. str. (= Lanceocercata). The tribe Stephanacridini Günther, which has previously been without a subfamilar affiliation is transferred as a subordinate taxon of Platycraninae sensu novo. Platycraninae is characterized and distinguished from Phasmatidae s. str. (= Lanceocercata) by the small cylindrical cerci, simple anal segment and presence of a vomer in males, as well as the strongly keeled subgenital plate and remarkably elongated, filiform gonapophysis VIII of females, which greatly project over the apex of the abdomen. Characterizations are presented for Megacraniinae subfam. nov. as well as Platycraninae sensu nov. and its two tribes Platycranini and Stephanacridini. Lists of genera are provided for the three taxa. Three genera are removed from Platycraninae and Megacraniinae subfam. nov.: The Australian Echetlus Stål, 1875 is transferred to Phasmatinae: Acanthomimini and Redtenbacherus Özdikmen & Darilmaz, 2008 and Elicius Günther, 1935 are transferred to Lonchodidae: Necrosciinae. The male of Megacrania spina Hsiung, 2007 as well as the eggs of Megacrania brocki Hsiung, 2002, Erastus apalamnus Rehn, 1904, Ophicrania apterus (Redtenbacher, 1908), Ophicrania nigroplagiatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), Platycrana viridana (Olivier, 1792) and Macrophasma lyratus (Redtenbacher, 1908) are illustrated for the first time. Xenomaches moderata (Kirby, 1884) from the island of Ambon is synonymised with Platycrana viridana (Olivier, 1792) (syn. nov.).

How Does the Male Penisfilum Enter the Female Copulatory Pore in Hangingflies?

Hangingflies are characterized by the interesting nuptial feeding behavior and unusual belly-to-belly hanging mating position. However, the mating behavior and the copulatory mechanism remain poorly known for Bittacidae, especially how the elongated male penisfilum enters the copulatory pore of the female. In this study, the mating behavior and copulatory mechanism of Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua, 2006) were investigated to reveal the functional morphology of hangingfly genitalia. The results show that the male provides a prey as a nuptial gift to the female and twists his abdomen about 180° to form a belly-to-belly hanging mating position. During the penisfilum-entering process, the male epandrial lobes clamp the female subgenital plate with the aid of the female abdomen swelling. Then the male locates the female copulatory pore through his upper branch of the proctiger and inserts his penisfilum into the female spermathecal duct in cooperation with the short setae on the groove of the proctiger. The female subgenital plate where the epandrial lobes clamp is strongly sclerotized and melanized. The copulatory mechanism of Terrobittacus is briefly discussed.

Convergent evolution of sex-specific leg ornaments in Drosophilidae – from cells to structures

Sexually dimorphic morphological traits are among the fastest evolving animal features. Similar sex-specific structures have sometimes evolved independently in multiple lineages, presumably as targets of parallel sexual selection. In such cases, comparing the cellular mechanisms that generate these structures in different species can elucidate the interplay between selection and developmental constraint in evolution. In Drosophilidae, male-specific tarsal brushes on the front legs are found in at least four separate lineages. In this study, we combine phylogenetic reconstruction with developmental analyses and behavioral observations to investigate the evolutionary origin of these structures. We show that the sex brush has evolved independently at least three times from sexually monomorphic ancestral morphology. However, all sex brushes have very similar fine structure and develop through indistinguishable cellular processes, providing a striking example of developmental convergence. In all examined species, males use their sex brushes to grasp the female abdomen prior to copulation. We discuss potential reasons why convergent evolution of novel structures is rare even in the face of similar functional demands.

External Morphology and Ultrastructure of Tegumental Glands of Aegla platensis (Crustacea, Anomura, Aeglidae) Pleopods: Might They Play A Role in Egg Attachment?

Egg incubation on the female abdomen is the parental care behavior observed in aeglids, in which eggs are kept adhered to maternal pleopods and maintained, cleaned and aerated. In A. platensis, egg attachment occurs with the aid of pleopodal setae, which are twisted around their axis in the distal region, forming the funiculus, and pleopodal glands, which are responsible for the production of the adhesive substance that seems to be involved in egg fixation to pleopodal setae. Those glands are acini formed by secretory cells arranged concentrically around a central duct, giving them a rosette appearance. Two types of secretory cells were observed, those that produce electron-lucid vesicles and those having electron-dense ones. Both kinds of vesicles are released in a duct whose opening pore is located on the pleopodal surface and constitute the adhesive substance that coats eggs and pleopodal setae, ensuring egg fixation to the female body and maternal care maintenance. This study investigates the internal and external morphology of Aegla platensis pleopods, to understand the egg attachment process and identify the structures involved in this phenomenon. Three microscopy techniques are used: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical microscopy (OM).

Does internal egg carrying impair foraging ability as much as external egg carrying in a neotropical spider?

Females not only produce costly gametes, but also store the eggs until oviposition, a period called pregnancy. The volume that eggs occupy in the female abdomen may decrease female foraging ability by making females slow. Although females of all species are subjected to these potential costs, it remains an unexplored matter in invertebrates. Females of the spider Paratrechalea ornata carry their egg sac after oviposition and thus represent a unique opportunity to evaluate pregnancy costs because females carry an extra volume before and after laying eggs. We conducted foraging ability experiments using P. ornata females on different treatments regarding pregnancy and maternal care. We first hypothesized that internal egg load and egg sac carrying decrease female foraging ability. We also hypothesized that greater egg sac size decreases female foraging ability. We found that both internal egg load and egg sac carrying decreased female foraging ability, and females about to oviposit had a similar foraging ability to females carrying an egg sac. Egg sac size did not influence female foraging ability. Our results show that pregnancy can impose high costs to female foraging ability, likely increasing their mortality during this period. The little support for our second hypothesis may also suggest that the decrease in foraging ability is not due to the volume being carried per se, but possibly an associated physiological state.

Altavelia, a new genus of Neotropical Veliinae (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Veliidae), with a key to species and descriptions of four new species from Colombia

The new genus Altavelia Polhemus & Moreira (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Veliidae) includes seven species previously contained in the inveruglas group of Paravelia Breddin, 1898 and four new species from Colombia: A. altoandina Molano & Morales, A. antioquia Molano & Morales, A. montana Molano & Morales, and A. quindiana Molano & Morales. Additionally, A. amoena (Drake, 1957) is synonymized with A. flavomarginata (Hungerford, 1930). The genus is characterized by prominent setal tufts or sclerotized wing-like processes on the male proctiger; elongate body shape with long, slender legs; uniformly blackish forewings; antennal segment I longest; and the female abdomen with tergum VIII deflexed. Species in this genus occur at high elevations in the Andes Mountains with records from 1500 to 3600 m. A key is provided to all 11 species in the genus and new distributional records are presented for A. boliviana (Breddin, 1898), A. columbiensis (Hungerford, 1930), and A. flavomarginata.

Effects of Habitat Change on the Web Characteristics and Fitness of the Giant Wood Spider (Nephila pilipes) in Sri Lanka

We compare web properties and fitness of the Giant wood spider Nephila pilpes within and outside its natural rainforest habitat in Sri Lanka. The nonforest habitats comprised rural home gardens and plantations. We hypothesize that marked differences would be evident between the two habitats in (i) web properties and (ii) fitness of the female spiders. Web architectural and silk thread properties were measured in 25 webs of adult female spiders in each of the two habitats, while female abdomen size was used as the proxy for fitness. Findings support both hypotheses. The nonforest webs were more closely knit (smaller mesh spaces) and the hub was placed at higher position on the web than that in the forest webs both altering prey capture efficiency. Also, females in nonforest habitats were significantly smaller than those in the forest, indicating lowered fitness. The disparities in web characteristics and fitness are impressive given that the forest and nonforest habitats are located in close proximity, suggesting that rainforest orbweaver spiders such as Nephila pilpes may suffer population declines if the extents of natural forest continue to shrink.