Ultrastructure of Egg Chorion of Vulnerable Species Morimus funereus Mulsant, 1862 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Abstract

In this study, the egg chorion of Morimus funereus Mulsant, 1862 is examined. M. funereus, xylophagus and saproxylic species, accelerate the nutrient transformation of forests by separating dead trees. This species is categorised in VU (Vulnerable) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and also included in European Habitats Directive. A female specimen of M. funereus was collected from Eskisehir in 2012. The specimen was laid in a laboratory environment. The eggs are whitish cream, oval-fusiform in shape. Polygon patterns (pentagons and hexagons) are visible on the egg surface on SEM images. Two micropyles, one at the anterior pole and the other at the posterior pole, occur in the egg. The micropylar areas are spongiform with pores of various sizes. Chorionic structure and micropylar area of the egg are quite different from other Cerambycidae species eggs. Egg surface morphology of M. funereus can be used as basis for further studies and as a tool to compare other species of Morimus.