Morphology of the head skeleton and muscles of the mosquito, Culiseta inornata (Williston) (Diptera: Culicidae).

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to investigate the morphology of the head skeleton and muscles of the female mosquito, Culiseta inornata (Williston). The skeletal parts were examined after maceration in KOH. The attachments of muscles were determined by dissection. Observations were made with the aid of a dissecting microscope at 70× and lower. Each skeletal part and muscle is illustrated and described. Conclusions regarding the skeleton are as follows: (1) the clypeal area is composed of an anteclypeus and postclypeus, (2) the suture between the anteclypeus and postclypeus is rigid and cannot function as a hinge, (3) the dorsal wall of the labrum terminates at its union with the anteclypeus, (4) the dorsal and epipharyngeal walls of the labrum are united apically, (5) the gena and postclypeus are not separated by a suture, and (6) the labellum is composed of three segments and the furca, of some authors, is absent. Twenty-five muscles were identified, and the origin, insertion, and action of each is described. The tormo-epipharyngalis muscle is attached anterior to the cibarium and fulcral plates. Its origin is on the clypeal apodeme and the insertion is on the epipharynx. This result confirms earlier reports and disagrees with some recent authors. The maxillary teeth are not designed to draw the fascicle into the tissues, but the cervical and leg muscles accomplish the probing process during feeding on a host. An undescribed muscle of the mandible is reported.