Cuticular Structures in Micropterous Crickets (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Petaloptilini, Gryllomorphini).

Pablo Barranco,José Luis Molina-Pardo

doi:10.3390/insects12080708

Abstract

Orthoptera is a very diverse group that has colonized practically all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. They have adapted to live in the endogenous environment as well as in caves so that some species exhibit troglomorphic characteristics. This group has been extensively studied due to its economic and social importance; however, many basic morphological and biological questions remain to be solved. In this study, a comparative morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of different structures of eight species of micropteran crickets of the tribes Gryllomorphini and Petaloptilini, whose tegmina had lost their flight and song functionality was carried out. Special emphasis was placed on the tegmina and their possible relationship to reproductive functions. In addition, to assess troglomorphism in the genus Petaloptila, the biometric parameters of six other species have been considered. Actualization of the lifestyle of the studied species has also been carried out. The results show structures not previously described in this group (gland openings, setae, pores, or group of campaniform sensilla). Structures not previously described in this group have been detected, and tegmina (glandular openings and devoured tegmina) seem to confer a role in reproduction. Troglomorphisms are only observed in species of the subgenus Zapetaloptila. Statistically, significant differences have been found in characters such as cephalic elongation, ocular reduction, greater length of appendages, and depigmentation.

Highlights

Orthoptera is an order of insects that has diversified over some 300 Mya [1,2] and currently has more than 28,972 described species [3]
TheseShEaMv),einlossotmaellotfrwacheicshotrfamcesirorfoar saencrdetisotnriadreuloabtsoerrvyedfil(ien,daicraetendobtymarermowbhreaandsouins but have a thickeFnigeudrea2pAp–eDa).raInntchee.gIennuIsbPeertiaalonptsilpa,ethceieres a(rseutbwgoegnlaenrdaoPpeetnainlogpst, ialalaargnedr oZnaepinettahleoptila), these tegmicnoanchaavivtyeotfhteheanpoetcxhw(Fiigthurae 2nAo,Btc)hanidnatshmeailnlenr eexrtemrnaarlgoinne l(oFciagteudraet 1thBe–aEp)e.xIonf tfheemales of the genust,etghmeisnea s(Ftriguucrteu2rCe,sDa).rTehreedshuapceedantdo dsemveallolpsmceanlet so.f these gland openings differ for each species; the subgenus Zapetaloptila have larger gland openings (Figure 2A,B)
After numerous studies with different species of Petaloptila [29–31], and a review of the collection material, we have found that the coloration of species of subgenus Zapetaloptila is pale (e.g., Figure 13A,C) in general, as opposed to those of the subgenus Petaloptila (e.g., Figure 13B,D) which are dark or very dark

Summary

Introduction

Orthoptera is an order of insects that has diversified over some 300 Mya [1,2] and currently has more than 28,972 described species [3]. Orthoptera has colonized virtually all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet [6], from tropical to arid regions, being absent only in Polar Regions [7–9] They are considered keystone species in food chains because they have a mainly phytophagous diet [4,10] and because they are common prey for other zoological groups, e.g., [11–15]. Population explosions occur that affect crops and can cause enormous economic losses in the agricultural sector [6,16–18]. The fact that they are cosmopolitan and this ability to multiply has made this order of insects a traditional food source in different cultures [4,19,20]; they are currently being studied for their nutritional properties [21–23]. There are a multitude of species in entomological collections worldwide that have not yet been formally described, and a decreasing number of taxonomists are capable of doing the work [6]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion