Anal Plate Research Articles

Catalogue of Bracychthoniidae (Sarcoptiformes, Oribatida) specimens deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

Brachychthoniids are tiny mites, typically measuring less than 250 µm in length (Krant et al. 2009). Brachychthoniids can be distinguished from other oribatids by the fact that their notogaster is divided into 3 plates by 2 transverse furrows (Weigmann, 2006). The anteriormost plate has 6 pairs of setae (c and d rows) (Krant et al., 2009). Without extra cupules immediately lateral to mid-dorsal setae (Krant et al., 2009). The genital plates and the combined anal/peranal plates are of similar size (Krant et al., 2009). There is 1 pair of aggenital setae, 2 pairs of setae on the anal plates, and the peranal plates are present with 1 pair of setae (Krant et al., 2009). In terms of geography and ecology, brachychthoniids may be the most extensively spread family among oribatid mites (Krant et al., 2009). Besides being varied and plentiful in damp forest soil and litter, they are frequently found in disclimax communities and newly established habitats (Norton and Palmer, 1991). The world fauna of Brachythoniidae is represented by 163 species belonging to 12 genera (Subias, 2004). In Ukraine, 40 species of mites of this family, belonging to 9 genera. Thus, the species diversity in Ukraine is 25% of the world's fauna. The collection of oribatid mites of the State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine contains 9 species of brachychthoniids, as follows: Liochthonius alpestris (Forsslund, 1958), L. hystricinus (Forsslund, 1942), L. muscorum Forsslund, 1964, L. brevis (Michael, 1888), L. sellnicki (Thor, 1930), Sellnickochthonius suecicus (Forsslund, 1942), S. zеlawaiensis (Sellnick, 1928), Eobrachychthonius oudemansi van der Hammen 1952 and Synchthonius crenulatus (Jacot, 1938). They have been collected in the western regions of Ukraine and are represented by 96 individuals, which make up 16 records. In particular, the collection contains samples collected from Zakarpatska, Lvivska and Ivano-Frankivska provinces. Some materials were collected in nature conservation areas: Nature Reserve Roztochchia, National Natural Park Synevyr and Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. This article was written with the support of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, call 2022.01 «Science for the Recovery of Ukraine in the War and Post-War Periods» the project 2022.01/0013 «Digitization of natural history collections damaged as a result of hostilities and related factors: development of protocols and implementation on the basis of the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine». The contents of this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and are the sole responsibility of the State Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine.

The bug-killer fly Gymnosoma rotundatum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) forms the respiratory funnel independently of the host's immune response.

In internal parasitism, the respiration strategy within the host's body is as essential as evading attack from the host's immune system. Tachinid flies are parasitoids of terrestrial arthropods, mostly insects, during their larval stage. To obtain oxygen while living in the host body, they build a cylindrical structure known as the respiratory funnel at the aperture opened by the tachinid larva on the host integument or trachea. These funnels can be divided morphologically into sheath and cone types. Previous research on sheath-type funnels revealed that they are derived from the encapsulating substance produced by the host's immune system. In contrast, the cone-type funnels cover part of the body of the larval tachinid and may be constructed independently from the host immune system. To determine the mechanisms of cone-type funnel formation, histological observations were carried out on Gymnosoma rotundatum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae), which possesses this type of funnel. The respiratory funnel of G. rotundatum was found to be derived from the tube-shaped faeces wrapped with the peritrophic membrane and excreted by the fly larva, not from host tissue or haemocytes. Additionally, secretory glands putatively involved in the funnel formation were discovered around the larval anal plate of G. rotundatum. A comparison of funnel types within Tachinidae revealed that Phasiinae and Dexiinae have cone-type funnels, which may be created by the same mechanism as in G. rotundatum. These new findings suggest that funnel formation that does not use the host immune system is relevant to tachinid phylogeny.

The adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor mayo/CG11318 controls midgut development in Drosophila

Adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) form a large family of cell surface molecules with versatile tasks in organ development. Many aGPCRs still await their functional and pharmacological deorphanization. Here, we characterized the orphan aGPCR CG11318/mayo of Drosophila melanogaster and found it expressed in specific regions of the gastrointestinal canal and anal plates, epithelial specializations that control ion homeostasis. Genetic removal of mayo results in tachycardia, which is caused by hyperkalemia of the larval hemolymph. The hyperkalemic effect can be mimicked by a raise in ambient potassium concentration, while normal potassium levels in mayoKO mutants can be restored by pharmacological inhibition of potassium channels. Intriguingly, hyperkalemia and tachycardia are caused non-cell autonomously through mayo-dependent control of enterocyte proliferation in the larval midgut, which is the primary function of this aGPCR. These findings characterize the ancestral aGPCR Mayo as a homeostatic regulator of gut development.

Morphological identification of the whizzling sand snake: <i>Psammophis sibilans</i> in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Despite extensive research on snakes, although subject to some variation and ignored by many authors, scarce information is available on the morphology of Psammophis Sibilans.
 Objectives: This research aimed to study the morphological characterization of Psammophis Sibilans in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria, as a basis for its morphological identification which may be extrapolated or used as baseline data to show the reliability of scale count in species determination of Psammophis Sibilans.
 Methods: Active capture methods were used on free-range snakes and scales were counted to distinguish between the families, generic and specific levels.
 Results: The result showed that on the head shield, the loreal [1.0±0.00], pre-nasal[2.0±0.00], internasal[2.0±0.00],preocular[4.0±0.00],supraocular[2.0±0.00],frontal[1.0±0.00], parietal[2.0±0.00] were all the same for all the population studied (n = 20). The dorsal scale [18.00±0.00], and anal plate [1.00±0.00] were also the same for all the snakes studied while the ventral scales [173±2.83], and tail scales [191.30±1.76] showed significant differences within the group. For the zoometric parameters, the body length [85.33±0.44], mid-circumference [7.40±0.10], head length [3.50±0.29], and tail length [32.17±0.17] all showed significant differences within and between the population except for the head width [1.00±0.00].
 In conclusion: The head shields are more reliable in the identification of Psamophis sibilans than the zoometric parameters studied, except for the head width. We also discovered a significant variation in the loreal head shield which was just one for all the population studied as opposed to studies from Egypt and Ethiopia where a range of one to two was reported.

A new unique genus of Macrosiphini (Aphididae: Aphidinae) feeding on Lonicera from China

A new genus Acerocaudaphis Qiao & Xu gen. nov. in the tribe Macrosiphini with Acerocaudaphis loniceratus Qiao & Xu sp. nov. and Acerocaudaphis jilongensis Qiao & Xu sp. nov. on Lonicera from Tibet, China are described and illustrated inhere. The new genus can easily be distinguished by remarkable cauda which is semicircular at basal part and strongly constricted to pointed finger-shaped at distal part, and special anal plate which the hind margin forward indent to two conical tubercles. Molecular evidence supports the validity of the new genus and two new species. The DNA barcode data of the two new species are provided and the key of aphids on Lonicera is updated.

A new species of Euclymene (Maldanidae, Annelida) from Brazil, with new combinations, and phylogenetic implications for Euclymeninae

Maldanids are tube-building polychaetes, known as bamboo-worms; inhabit diverse marine regions throughout the world. The subfamily Euclymeninae was proposed to include forms with anal and cephalic plates, a funnel-shaped pygidium, and a terminal anus. Euclymene, the type genus of Euclymeninae, has about 18 valid species. Euclymene vidali sp. nov. is defined and members of the species described from Northeastern Brazil. Members of this species have 23 chaetigers, and one pre-pygidial achaetous segment; nuchal grooves extend through three quarters of the cephalic plate, and there is one acicular spine with a denticulate tip. Euclymene africana, and E. watsoni, are here recognized, respectively, as Isocirrus africana comb. nov., and I. watsoni comb. nov. Three monotypic genera are invalid: Macroclymenella, Eupraxillella, and Pseudoclyemene; their species should be recognized as Clymenella stewartensis com. nov., Praxillella antarctica com. nov., and Praxillela quadrilobata com. nov., respectively. An identification key and a comparative table for all species of Euclymene are provided. A comparative table for all genera of Euclymeninae is also furnished. The paraphyletic status of Euclymene and Euclymeninae is discussed. The taxon Maldanoplaca is not code compliant and should only be regarded as an informal name.

Two new species of the genus Flagellozetes Balogh, 1970 (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from Vietnam

Oribatid mite fauna of Vietnam is most studied among countries of Continental Southeast Asia but due to the brief history of detailed research, discoveries of new species are expected. Descriptions of two new species of oribatid mites (Oribatida) of the family Galumnidae—Flagellozetes (Cosmogalumna) sacculus sp. nov. and F. (C.) lineatus sp. nov.—are presented based on specimens collected from rainforest soil of Bi Dup—Nui Ba National Park (southern Vietnam). F. (C.) sacculus sp. nov. differs from other species by the presence of saccules and rare diamond-shaped granules on pteromorphs. F. (C.) lineatus sp. nov. differs from F. (C.) ekaterinae (Ermilov & Friedrich, 2016) and F. (C.) dongnaiensis (Ermilov & Anichkin, 2013) by the presence of striate pteromorph, genital and anal plates, median pore, and centrodorsal part of notogaster ornamentation represented by neural ridges band.

MORFOMETRIA CAUDA-CLOACAL PARA SEXAGEM DE Phrynops geoffroanus (SCHWEIGGER, 1812)

In order to study the presence of sexual dimorphism in Phrynops geoffroanus , collections were carried out in the Leite stream in the municipality of Floriano-Piaui. The 22 specimens captured (13 males e 9 female) were measured and sexed, considering quantitative data (pre-cloacal and post-cloacal distances, length and width of the anal plate) and qualitative data (narrow or wide head and length of the humeral plates). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test (U), Dummy variable (D) and linear regression. The U Test demonstrated that the variables anal plate length (α = 0.177), pre-cloacal distance (α = 0.0004) and post-cloacal distance (α = 0.038) showed significant differences between genders. Through linear regression it was possible to observe that the pre-cloacal and post-cloacal length measurements in males have values twice as high as in females. The Dummy variable resulted in a value of D = 7.14, demonstrating that there is reason to believe in the existence of dimorphic morphological patterns in P . geoffroanus . From the results found, it is possible to conclude that the measurements of anal plate, pre-cloacal and post-cloacal distances are different between males and females in the studied population of P . geoffroanus , confirming sexual dimorphism, however, further studies of different populations are required in order to establish a morphological pattern for the species. Keywords: Morphology; Sexual dimorphism; Turtles.

A new species of Oligodon H. Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 (Squamata: Colubridae) from Hainan Island, China.

A new species of the kukri snake genus Oligodon H. Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 is described based on two specimens collected from Shangxi Nature Reserve, Hainan Island, China. Oligodon bivirgatus sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of having 15/15/15 dorsal scale rows, eight maxillary teeth, divided nasal, 3 temporals (1+2), 7 supralabials and 7 infralabials; divided anal plate; reddish-brown dorsum with two distinct dark stripes, and reddish ventral surface (in life) with irregular dark blotches on edge cream. This is the first new Oligodon species described from a type-locality in Hainan Island of China.

Two new species of the genus Dasongius (Myriapoda, Pauropoda, Pauropodidae) from China.

Two new species of the family Pauropodidae: Dasongius liupanensis sp. n. and D. spatulatus sp. n. are described from China. Both of them have non-furcate setae on the collum segment, long setae p and q on the antennae, 6+6 setae on tergite II, furcate setae on the coxa, cylindrical setae on the trochanter of leg 9, and two appendages on the anal plate; these features are distinct from other congeners. The new species can be distinguished by the shape of the tergum of the pygidium, shape of the anal plate, as well as the shape of setae a1, a2, st and b1 on the pygidium. In addition, all species of the genus Dasongius are compared in detail.

A new species of the genus Flagellozetes Balogh, 1970 (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from Taiwan

A new species of the genus Flagellozetes (Oribatida: Galumnidae) is described from Taiwan. Flagellozetes (Cosmogalumna) sanqingi Ermilov sp. n. differs from F. (C.) ornatus (Aoki, 1988) by the sculpturing of pteromorphs and genital plates and ornamentation of anal plates.

Two new species of Galumna (Acari, Oribatida) from Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar

Two new species of the subgenus Galumna (Galumna) (Oribatida, Galumnidae) are described from leaf litter of evergreen rain forest in eastern Madagascar. Galumna brevilineata sp. nov. differs from its closest species Galumna (Galumna) anuakensis Ermilov, 2019 and Galumna paracalcicola Ermilov & Anichkin 2014 by the length of interlamellar and lamellar setae, the localization of notogastral lyrifissures im, the ornamentation of anogenital region, the morphology of bothridial setae and postanal porose area, and the absence of median pore. Galumna (Galumna) paraarmatifera sp. nov. differs from its closest species Galumna armatifera Mahunka, 1996 by the morphology of bothridial setae and anal plates, and the length of circumpedal carinae. An identification key to species of Galumna (Galumna) of the calcicola-group (species with short lamellar lines) was presented.

First record of the family Colinauropodidae (Myriapoda, Pauropoda) in China, with the description of three new species.

The pauropod family Colinauropodidae Scheller, 1985 is recorded from China for the first time. Three new species of the genus Colinauropus Remy, 1956 are described: Colinauropus chinensissp. nov. and C. chongzhouisp. nov. from Jiangsu Province, and C. foliosussp. nov. from Sichuan Province. They can be easily separated from similar species by the number and the shape of sclerotized plates on the tergites, setae on the body and the anal plate. A key for all species of the genus is provided.

A NEW SPECIES OF Dendrelaphis BOULENGER, 1890 (REPTILIA : COLUBRIDAE) FROM THE WET ZONE OF SRI LANKA WITH A REDESCRIPTION OF Dendrelaphis bifrenalis (BOULENGER, 1890)

Examination of the Dendrelaphis bifrenalis populations on Sri Lanka showed that there are two populations that are morphologically different from each other. One population is distributed only in the wet zone forests (hereafter treated as wet zone population), while the other population occurs widely in the dry zone and intermediate zones (hereafter dry zone population). The type series of D. bifrenalis consist of 3 specimens from which the specimen representing the dry zone population was chosen as lectotype, and the wet zone population is described here as a new species. It clearly differs from D. bifrenalis by having a shorter snout, orbit diameter 103–114% of eye–nostril length (vs 77–95%), and larger eye, orbit diameter 21–23% of head length (vs 17–20%). Furthermore it differs by having a temporal stripe stopping just beyond the neck (vs continues behind neck), the absence of black transverse dorsolateral bars on the anterior 1/4th of body (vs prominent), a narrow and pointed snout (vs broad and flat), a divided nasal (vs single), and a ventrolateral stripe continuing up to the tail (vs stopping at the level of the anal plate). This morphological differentiation is supported by the divergence in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) region separating clearly with the divergence of 1.70±0.35%. Also, here we resurrect D. effrenis (Werner, 1909) as a valid species, and D. sinharajensis as a junior synonym of it. The holotype of D. sinharajensis was chosen as the neotype of D. effrenis to stabilize nomenclature, and to make it an objective synonym. The third and fourth known specimens of this rare species are reported. A key of the species of the genus Dendrelaphis in Sri Lanka is provided.

Description of a new soft tick species (Acari: Argasidae: Ornithodoros) parasite of Octodon degus (Rodentia: Octodontidae) in northern Chile

A new argasid (Argasidae) tick is herein described based on morphology and molecular data obtained from larvae parasitizing Octodon degus and from ticks collected inside burrows in northern Chile. Unfed laboratory-reared larvae were mounted in slides for morphometrical and morphological analyses. Larvae of Ornithodoros octodontus n. sp. share morphological traits with Ornithodoros quilinensis and Ornithodoros xerophylus, two species associated with rodents in the Argentinean Chaco. However, a longer hypostome with two rows of 21 and 22 denticles each one, and conspicuous leaf-shaped anal plates separate O. octodontus. While nymphal stages of O. octodontus lack cheeks and possess a micromammillated dorsal integument, adults have cheeks and exhibit markedly irregular mammillae along their dorsal surface. Phylogenetic analyses of neotropical Argasidae based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences point that O. octodontus forms a monophyletic group with O. xerophylus and an unidentified Ornithodoros sp. from Bolivia, all of them associated with burrow-dweller rodents. Ornithodoros aragaoi and Ornithodoros davisi, two rare species collected once only in the Peruvian Andean Plateau during 1955 are morphologically closely related with adults and nymphs of O. octodontus. Biological observations of O. octodontus revealed autogenic females. For the moment, subgeneric classification of this new species depends on further biological studies. The fauna of ticks occurring in Chile is now represented by 22 species, 11 belonging to the Argasidae family.

Description of Larval and Pupal Stages of a Bilateral Gynandromorph Reared from a Cross between Citheronia regalis (Fabr.) and C. splendens (Druce) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

A detailed study of the larval and pupal stages of a bilateral gynandromorph obtained from a hybrid cross between Citheronia regalis (Fabr.) and C. splendens (Druce) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is presented. Color illustrations and metric data document male splendens characteristics on one side and female regalis characteristics on the other side of the last instar larva. Differences in color, shape, and setal positions on the head capsule and the anal plate are documented. A video study of the larval gynandromorph is presented from a hyperlink within this publication. The pupa shows evidence of male and female genitalia, however, no asymmetry was observed among the sclerites of the antennae or of the wings. Images of the adult gynandromorph are included.

New Locality Record and Morphological Data of Hemorrhois ravergieri (Ménétries, 1832) (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Turkey

The Spotted whip snake, Hemorrhois ravergieri, has been known to be present in the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia and Black Sea regions in the literature. Until now, its presence has only been reported in Artvin, Trabzon and Bayburt provinces in the Black Sea region of Turkey, in the literature. The locality record of the H. ravergieri from Gümüşhane Province in the Black Sea region was provided in the current study. The record extended the distribution of this species in Turkey. The pholidolial and morphometric characters, and color-pattern features of two female specimens are given in detail and compared with the specimens in the literature. The specimens examined were similar to Hemorrhois ravergieri specimens mentioned in the literature. Only a morphological character (the undivided anal plate) was observed to be different from the features given in the literature. The findings show that the Spotted whip snake can be found in other provinces with suitable habitats in the Black Sea region in Turkey.

First stratiomyomorphan larvae in the mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Diptera: Brachycera)

Two different stratiomyomorphan larvae are described and illustrated based on two well-preserved specimens from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar. They both exhibit the diagnostic feature of the Stratiomyomorpha: integument hardened and shagreened with small rounded facets. One of the larvae (form 1) presents distinctive morphological characters of both Stratiomyidae and Xylomyidae: prothoracic and mesothoracic segments with normal shagreened pattern on dorsum and venter, a transverse row of teeth developed before the anal cleft, and anal plates bordered with a row of similar teeth. These features may indicate that form 1 occupies a basal position within the clade Xylomyidae + Stratiomyidae. This new material is the first record of stratiomyomorphan larvae from Burmese amber.

Supplementary descriptions of Pergalumna amamiensis Aoki, 1984 (Acariformes, Galumnoidea) from Ryukyu Islands.

A species of oribatid mites, Pergalumna amamiensis was collected from Amami-Ohshima Island, Ishigaki Island, and Okinawa Island, Southwestern Japan. The specimens were studied in detail, and supplementary descriptions are provided; these include features of the rostrum, the subcapitulum and the surface pattern of pteromorphs. The main morphological traits for this species are summarized as follows; body length 519-570 μm, body width 363-410 μm, rostral tip pointed, sensillus with a long stalk covered by minute barbs, porose areas Aa bulbous, porose areas A1, A2, and A3 circular, surface of pteromorphs ornamented by fine granular structure and dense wrinkles, fine granular structure on prodorsum, subcapitulum, genital plates and anal plates, median pore on the notogaster represented as single pore.

Review of the genus Phyllotrella Gorochov, with descriptions of three new species from China (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Podoscirtinae: Podoscirtini).

Three new species of Phyllotrella Gorochov, 1988 are described: P. hainanensis sp. nov. (China: Hainan), P. transversa sp. nov. (China: Guangdong, Guangxi) and P. fumingi sp. nov. (China: Guangdong), which are illustrated with the habitus, metanotal gland, phallus and anal plate of the male. P. planidorsalis Gorochov, 1988 is excluded from Chinese fauna. A distribution map and a key of all species of Phyllotrella are provided.