External Morphology Of Adults Research Articles

Phylogenetic analysis of Endonura Cassagnau, 1979 (Collembola, Neanuridae, Neanurinae), including descriptions of four new species

With 54 described species, Endonura is one of the most species-rich genera of the Neanurinae. The taxon is characterised by the presence of 0–2 ocelli, separate tubercles Di and De with the non-crossed type of chaetotaxy on the head, and two or three tubercles on the fifth abdominal tergite. Four new species from the Crimea and the Caucasian region have been described based on adult specimens: Endonura armeniacasp. nov., E. cochleariferasp. nov., E. crimicasp. nov., and E. duplexsp. nov. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Endonura using 70 characters of adult external morphology is presented. Two methods were chosen to examine different approaches to the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships: Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Bayesian Inference (BI). Besides supporting Endonura monophyly both analyses failed to resolve any of the deeper relationships within the genus. All known species within the genus are grouped into two main clades, A and D. Both of these clades have members distributed throughout Europe, the Caucasus and the western part of Central Asia. Endonura crimicasp. nov. can be considered as an intermediate between these two clades.

A new snouted treefrog (Anura, Hylidae, Scinax) from fluvial islands of the Juruena River, southern Brazilian Amazonia.

Southern Amazonia is one of the less-explored regions by anuran taxonomists. We describe a small new species of snouted treefrog, genus Scinax, from this region, from a fluvial archipelago in the Juruena River, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The description is based on external morphology of adults and tadpoles, advertisement call and molecular data. The species is phylogenetically related to other snouted treefrogs of the Scinax cruentomma species group and shows the most southeastern distribution in Amazonia among its close relatives. It is distinguished from congeners mainly by its larger adult body size and bilobate vocal sac that reaches the level of the pectoral fold, a reddish-brown horizontal stripe on the iris, dark melanophores or blotches on the vocal sac and the throat of females, and the uniformly brown posterior portion of the thigh. The advertisement call comprises one pulsed note emitted at regular intervals, with a duration of 189-227 ms, 30-35 pulses/note and a dominant frequency of 2,250-2,344 Hz. The type locality is suffering several environmental impacts, including illegal mining, overfishing, unsustainable agriculture, uncontrolled logging and degradation associated with the construction of new hydroelectric dams. Further study of the biology and regional distribution of the new species is required to propose mitigation measures needed for its conservation.

Morphological, acoustic and genetic identification of a reproducing population of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopuslaevis (Anura, Pipidae) recently discovered in Belgium.

Using external morphology of adults and tadpoles, osteology from high-resolution microcomputed tomography, vocalization analysis, and DNA sequence data, the identity of a reproducing Belgian population of invasive Xenopus at the current northernmost edge of the distribution of the genus in Europe was assessed. All data concur to an identification as Xenopus (Xenopus) laevis (Daudin, 1802). Genetically it is most closely related to populations of the Cape region in South Africa. No studies on the natural history of the Belgian Xenopus population and its impact on the local environment have been made to date.

A key to species of Nomada ruficornis species-group (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of South Korea, with descriptions of three new species

In this study, three new species (Nomada adustaspinae, sp. n., Nomada atra, sp. n., Nomada biaulacis, sp. n.) and two species new to South Korea (Nomada aswensis Tsuneki, 1973, Nomada fusca Schwarz, 1986) are reported. The adult external morphology and male genitalia are illustrated with a key to 29 species of Nomada ruficornis species-group in South Korea. Additionally, the flower associations for each species are also provided.

A revision of the genus Ecpyrrhorrhoe Hübner, 1825 from China based on morphology and molecular data, with descriptions of five new species (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Pyraustinae).

The genus Ecpyrrhorrhoe Hübner, 1825 is revised. Most type materials were examined, and a preliminary phylogeny is presented based on a combined dataset of COI, 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA and EF-1α gene regions. The tree topology and morphological characters suggest that Paliga Moore, 1886 is a new synonym of Ecpyrrhorrhoe, and Yezobotys Munroe & Mutuura, 1969 is restored as a valid genus. According to the morphological evidence and tree topology, 17 species are recorded, including five new species described from China: E.allochroa Zhang & Xiang, sp. nov., E.rosisquama Xiang & Zhang, sp. nov., E.exigistria Zhang & Xiang, sp. nov., E.brevis Zhang & Xiang, sp. nov. and E.longispinalis Zhang & Xiang, sp. nov. Seven new combinations are created, E.damastesalis (Walker, 1859), comb. nov., E.minnehaha (Pryer, 1877), comb. nov., E.obliquata (Moore, 1888), comb. nov., E.rufipicta (Butler, 1880), comb. nov., E.fimbriata (Moore, 1886), comb. nov., E.machoeralis (Walker, 1859), comb. nov., and E.rubellalis (Snellen, 1890), comb. nov., as well as eight new synonyms, namely Leucocraspedaauratalis Warren, 1895, syn. nov., Pioneaschenklingi Strand, 1918, syn. nov., Paligarubicundalis Warren, 1896, syn. nov., E.angustivalvaris Gao, Zhang & Wang, 2013, syn. nov., Pyraustapygmaealis South, 1901, syn. nov., E.multispinalis Gao, Zhang &Wang, 2013, syn. nov., E.aduncis Gao, Zhang & Wang, 2013, syn. nov., and E.ruidispinalis Zhang, Li & Wang, 2004, syn. nov. All adults and their genital structures are illustrated and an identification key based on adult external morphology and genitalia is provided.

Morphology-based phylogeny of oval palm and flower beetles (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Eurypinae), with descriptions of new genera and species from Australia

Abstract Mycteridae are a small group of Tenebrionoidea, comprising three subfamilies and over 180 species. Eurypinae are the most species-rich subfamily, with diverse external morphology of adults at both generic and species levels. To date, no study of mycterid systematics using phylogenetic approaches has been conducted. In this paper, we reconstruct a phylogeny of eurypine beetles based on morphological characters, covering most described genera. This is the first attempt to investigate the evolution and relationships of Mycteridae. The phylogenetic positions of several systematically enigmatic genera can thus be hypothesized based on the topology. Recent molecular phylogenetic frameworks and fossil records reveal that most eurypine lineages probably evolved during the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic. Our results also indicate that the fauna of the current regions of the world and Early Cenozoic Europe consist(ed) of various eurypine lineages, supporting the previously proposed hypothesis that Eurypinae were once widely distributed, but underwent a subsequent partial extinction. Two new genera and three new species are described from Australia, based on comparative anatomy and cladistic analysis, namely Austroconomorphus slipinskii gen. et sp. nov., Austrophaeogala lawrencei gen. et sp. nov. and Austrophaeogala ovipennis sp. nov. We demonstrate that the phylogenetic diversity of Mycteridae in Australia is greater than previously suspected.

Two new species and a new species group of Mycodrosophila Oldenberg, 1914 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Amazon.

There are 130 described species in the genus Mycodrosophila Oldenberg, 1914, distributed across all biogeographic regions. Most of these species show essential mycophagy. Currently, ten species are known from the Neotropical Region, nine of which are found in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Pampa biomes of Brazil. In this study, we describe the adult external morphology and structures of male and/or female terminalia for two new species from the Amazon Biome of Brazil. In addition, we propose a new species group, the Mycodrosophila neoprojectans group, encompassing the two new species described here, together with three previously described species from the Neotropics.

Comparative morphology of extant raptorial Mantispoidea (Neuroptera: Mantispidae, Rhachiberothidae) suggests a non-monophyletic Mantispidae and a single origin of the raptorial condition within the superfamily.

Adult external morphology of the extant raptorial Mantispoidea (Insecta: Neuroptera: Mantispidae and Rhachiberothidae) is compared emphasizing the morphology of the subfamily Symphrasinae as a key group to understand the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the superfamily. Plega dactylota Rehn, 1939 is thoroughly characterized in order to exemplify the morphology of the Symphrasinae. Additionally, following a review of the literature and examination of comparative material of Dilaridae, Berothidae, Rhachiberothidae and all Mantispidae subfamilies, a new interpretation of the components of the raptorial apparatus (i.e., head, prothorax, grasping forelegs, as well as integumentary specializations) is presented. Also, wing venation for these groups is reinterpreted, and new homology hypotheses for wing venation are proposed based on tracheation and comparative analyses. Given the high morphological divergence on the genital sclerites within the Mantispoidea, plus the confusing previous usage of neutral terminology and terms referring to appendages across taxonomic and morphological studies, we attempt to standardize, simplify, and situate terminology in an evolutionary context under the "gonocoxite concept" (multi-coxopod hypothesis). The remarkable morphological similarity of the genital sclerites of Symphrasinae and Rhachiberothidae (sensu U. Aspöck Mansell 1994) with the Nallachinae (Dilaridae) was taken as a starting point to understand the morphology of other Mantispidae subfamilies. Based on these morphological comparisons, we provide a revised phylogenetic analysis of Mantispoidea. This new phylogenetic analysis supports a sister group relationship between the family Rhachiberothidae, comprising Rhachiberothinae and Symphrasinae, and the family Mantispidae, including the subfamily Mantispinae and its sister taxa Drepanicinae and Calomantispinae, which may represent a single subfamily. Based on these analyses, raptorial condition probably evolved a single time in these insects and subsequently became diversified in the two sister clades of the raptorial Mantispoidea.

A revision of the Neotropical genus Metasiphonella Duda, 1930 (Diptera: Chloropidae).

The monotypic genus Metasiphonella, originally described from Costa Rica, is now formally recorded from South America with a new species from Brazil-M. amorimi sp. nov. The taxonomic revision includes a detailed description of adult external morphology, female and male terminalia, and the egg stage for all species. A lectotype of M. magnifica Duda is designated and new country records are given.

Recent findings of Isthmohyla pictipes (Anura: Hylidae) in Costa Rica: variation and implications for conservation.

We report recent findings of Isthmohyla pictipes (Cope, 1875) in the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica, roughly two decades after it was last registered. We provide notes on microhabitat use, color variation, external morphology of adults and larvae, and geographic variation, and discuss some taxonomic characters employed to differentiate I. pictipes from I. tica (Starrett, 1966) and I. xanthosticta (Duellman, 1968). We also report fluorescence on the ventral surfaces of I. pictipes. Our findings are expected to shed light on the taxonomy of this species and should be useful in further population assessments and conservation plans.

Morphological evolution in Hyles Hübner, 1819 hawkmoths (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae): reconstructing the ancestral Hyles habitus

Molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that similar wing and body patterns in the hawkmoth genus Hyles Hübner, [1819] do not necessarily reflect a close phylogenetic relationship. To improve our understanding of morphological evolution in these organisms, 75 characters derived from the external adult morphology are explicitly coded and analysed in a maximum parsimony cladistic framework. The results corroborate the hypothesis that wing and body patterns have indeed reappeared in different parts of the phylogeny but the underlying genetic mechanism remains to be determined. By reconstructing the suite of ancestral states of the morphological characters using Bayesian inference, we derived an approximation of the appearance of the proto-Hyles species. The overall habitus of this moth does not display a combination of characters found in any extant Hyles species. Rather, the forewings are most like those of members of the Hyles euphorbiae-complex but with better developed antemedial and postmedial lines, the hindwings are typical Hyles, and the abdominal pattern most closely resembles that of Hyles euphorbiarum (Guérin-Méneville & Percheron, 1835), but with one fewer pairs of black subdorsal patches. Within the context of the subtribe Choerocampina and Sphingidae more generally, the proto-Hyles reconstruction does not resemble any other species apart from Rhodafra opheltes (Cramer, 1780), but this appears to be another instance of convergent pattern expression.

Mitochondrial DNA barcodes provide insight into the phylogeography and subspecies controversy in the widespread Neotropical white peacock butterfly,Anartia jatrophae(Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae)

AbstractThe validity of subspecies designations in the common and wide-ranging Neotropical white peacock butterfly, Anartia jatrophae, has been debated for decades and remains an unsettled and contentious taxonomic issue among lepidopterists. Originally described by Linnaeus in the mid-18th century from specimens obtained from northern South America (Suriname), subsequent authors proposed a variety of subspecies names based on differences in adult external morphology among geographical populations. Many of these differences, however, were subsequently found to occur seasonally within populations, leading some to conclude that only a single polymorphic species should be recognized. Here, we have analysed both new and publicly available mitochondrial DNA barcodes, obtained from specimens collected from southern USA to northern Argentina, to assess whether they could provide insight into this long-standing controversy. Our molecular analyses, using a combination of character-based (nucleotide composition), population genetic and phylogenetic approaches, indicated the presence of at least four distinct genetic lineages that we suggest are distinct at the subspecies level, namely A. j. jatrophae, A. j. luteipicta, A. j. saturata and A. j. semifusca. Justification for these assignments and the proposed geographical distribution of each subspecies within the Americas are discussed.

A new species of the genus Sarcinodes Guenée, [1858] (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) from China.

The genus Sarcinodes Guenée, [1858]of China is reviewed and totally 9 species are recognized with the description of Sarcinodes hainana sp. nov. from Hainan, China. Sarcinodes lilacina Moore, 1888 is reported for the first time from Yunnan, China. The external morphology of adults, particularly the male and female genitalia, are illustrated. COI sequences were obtained as DNA barcodes for identification of the new species. A key to the Chinese Sarcinodes species is provided.

A new species of Atriophallophorus Deblock & Rosé, 1964 (Trematoda: Microphallidae) described from in vitro-grown adults and metacercariae from Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) (Mollusca: Tateidae).

The adult and metacercaria life stages of a new species of the microphallid genus Atriophallophorus Deblock & Rosé, 1964 are described from specimens collected at Lake Alexandrina (South Island, New Zealand). In addition to molecular analyses of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, metacercariae of Atriophallophorus winterbourni n. sp. from the snail host Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) were grown in vitro to characterize internal and external morphology of adults using light and scanning electron microscopy and histological techniques. Atriophallophorus winterbourni n. sp. is readily distinguishable from Atriophallophorus coxiellae Smith, 1973 by having a different structure of the prostatic chamber, sub-circular and dorsal to genital atrium, rather than cylindrical, fibrous, elongate and placed between the seminal vesicle and the genital atrium. The new species is most similar to Atriophallophorus minutus (Price, 1934) with regards to the prostatic chamber and the morphometric data, but possesses elongate-oval testes and subtriangular ovary rather than oval and transversely oval in A. minutus. Phylogenetic analyses including sequence data for A. winterbourni n. sp. suggested a congeneric relationship of the new species to a hitherto undescribed metacercariae reported from Australia, both forming a strongly supported clade closely related to Microphallus and Levinseniella. In addition, we provide an amended diagnosis of Atriophallophorus to accommodate the new species and confirm the sinistral interruption of the outer rim of the ventral sucker caused by the protrusion of the dextral parietal atrial scale at the base of the phallus.

Natural history of Dictyla echii (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in Ontario and Québec, Canada

AbstractThe natural history and distribution of Dictyla echii (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a lace bug native to the Palaearctic, was investigated during 2014–2017 in southwestern Québec and southeastern Ontario, Canada. This apparently univoltine species is associated with Echium vulgare Linnaeus (Boraginaceae) and overwintered as adults in soil in a state of reproductive diapause. Eggs were almost entirely inserted in soft green stems and rarely in tissues of the upper leaf surface of the host plant. Adults and nymphs fed on rosettes, stems, and flower shoots, causing a chlorotic appearance of foliage, and stunted floral shoots. The external morphology of adults and immature stages are described and illustrated. Feeding, mating, oviposition, fecundity, incubation period, development of eggs in ovarioles, hatching of eggs, and emergence of first instars were studied and illustrated. The distribution of D. echii in North America and the Palaearctic is mapped.

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the genus Euryomma Stein (Diptera: Calyptratae: Fanniidae)

The species of genus Euryomma is revised, and 16 valid species are recognized. Redescriptions for all species are provided, except for six species recently described from Colombia and Costa Rica for which only differential diagnoses are provided. Illustrations of the male genitalia have been added to Stein’s descriptions of E. rufifrons, E. longicorne and E. nigrifemur. The following synonyms are proposed: Euryomma erythrogaster Séguy = E. longicorne Stein; Euryomma tahami Grisales, Wolff & Carvalho = E. carioca Albuquerque; Euryomma cornuatum Grisales, Wolff & Carvalho = E. nigrifemur Stein; Euryomma steini Grisales & Carvalho = E. palpingens Wendt. New distribution records are added and maps showing the known distribution of each species are provided, except for the cosmopolitan E. peregrinum. An identification key to the species of Euryomma is also provided. We propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus Euryomma based on a cladistic analysis using characters from male adult external morphology and male and female terminalia. A cladistic analysis performed using implied weighting shows the genus as a monophyletic group, but relationships among species show little support.

Cytogenetic comparison between Terrobittacus implicatus and Bittacus planus (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) with some phylogenetic implications

The species of genus Euryomma is revised, and 16 valid species are recognized. Redescriptions for all species are provided, except for six species recently described from Colombia and Costa Rica for which only differential diagnoses are provided. Illustrations of the male genitalia have been added to Stein’s descriptions of E. rufifrons, E. longicorne and E. nigrifemur. The following synonyms are proposed: Euryomma erythrogaster Séguy = E. longicorne Stein; Euryomma tahami Grisales, Wolff & Carvalho = E. carioca Albuquerque; Euryomma cornuatum Grisales, Wolff & Carvalho = E. nigrifemur Stein; Euryomma steini Grisales & Carvalho = E. palpingens Wendt. New distribution records are added and maps showing the known distribution of each species are provided, except for the cosmopolitan E. peregrinum. An identification key to the species of Euryomma is also provided. We propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus Euryomma based on a cladistic analysis using characters from male adult external morphology and male and female terminalia. A cladistic analysis performed using implied weighting shows the genus as a monophyletic group, but relationships among species show little support.

Review of Marmasoma White with lectotype designation of M. sumptuosum White and an identification key to the Australasian/Oceanian genera of Ecliminae (Diptera, Bombyliidae).

The bombyliid genus Marmasoma White is restricted to Australia. Marmasoma sumptuosum White, the only known species of the genus, is studied and a lectotype and paralectotypes are designated. Based on the type series and on additional material, a redescription of the species is presented and the main characters of the external morphology of adults are illustrated and photographed, including male and female genitalia. In addition, the remarkable aedeagus of M. sumptuosum, unique among all Ecliminae species by the presence of serrated projections on its apical portion, is described and photographed in detail for the first time. An identification key to the Australasian/Oceanian genera of Ecliminae and a distribution map with the known geographic records of Marmasoma are also included.

A new species of Scinax Wagler (Anura: Hylidae) from Paraná, Southern Brazil.

In this article, we describe a new species of Scinax from the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, based on the external morphology of adults and their advertisement calls. The new species is diagnosed by the size of its males (SVL 27.8-31.6 mm); the snout subovoid in the dorsal view and slightly acuminate in profile; the vocal sac subgular and ventrally not reaching the pectoral region; and the advertisement call composed of a single pulsed note with 7-13 pulses, and a duration of 0.16-0.25s. This new species occurs in natural highland grassland formations, in the threatened ecosystem of the Atlantic Forest in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil.

The Baetodes complex (Ephemeroptera:Baetidae), phylogeny, biogeography, and new species of Mayobaetis

AbstractThe Baetodes complex was erected by Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty based on 2 characters: tarsal claws in the larva with a strong subapical seta and forceps in the male adult with basal segments with a distomedial projection. This complex includes the genera Baetodes, Lugoiops, Mayobaetis, Moribaetis, Prebaetodes, and Spiritiops. It is restricted to the New World, and larvae always live in well-oxygenated streams. A cladistic analysis was conducted for the complex on the basis of a matrix of 16 taxa and 92 morphological characters, all derived from external morphology of adults and larvae. A biogeographic analysis was carried out through Spatial Analysis of Vicariance to establish possible vicariant events that generated this taxonomic complex. The cladistic analysis under implied weights yielded 3 shortest trees, and the Baetodes complex was recovered as monophyletic. The biogeographic analysis reconstructed 3 disjunction nodes when no nodes were removed and 2 more when 1 node was removed. The vicaria...