Genital Field Research Articles

A new genus and species of Parastenocarididae Chappuis, 1940 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Espinhaço Mountain Range (Brazil) with an unclear phylogenetic position within the Fontinalicaridinae Schminke, 2010

Tupinicaris gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate a new hyporheic species of Parastenocarididae found in the northern portion of the Espinhaço mountain range (Minas Gerais, Brazil), in the Jequitinhonha River basin. Tupinicaris rupestris gen. et sp. nov. is included within the Fontinalicaridinae due to the presence of a long male and female pereopod five, the distal rim of which reaches beyond the middle of the next urosomite in the male or the middle of the genital double somite in the female; in the furca, the lateral setae are inserted on its proximal third, with a large gap occurring between them and the dorsal seta, which is inserted on the distal third; the female endopod of the pereopod 3 is a short blunt segment (although and unusually with a distal spine), and the female genital field is longer than its width. The new genus is supported by the presence of the following putative autapomorphies: Very long male and female outer spine on the first exopodite of pereopod 2, as long as 3/4 of the first and second exopodites combined; basis of male pereopod 3 with a small uncinate bulge proximally to the setiform endopod, first exopodite straight but expanding distally, followed by a scythe-shaped apophysis fused to the first exopodite, and hook-shaped thumb shorter than apophysis; basis of male pereopod 4 with a strong spinule inserted anteriorly to the thin and long endopod which is almost as long as the first exopodite; endopod of female pereopod 4 is longer than exopodite 1, almost reaching the tip of exopodite 2; pereopod 5 of male and female long, with 3 outer setae and a distal hyaline cushion probably representing a transformed seta; T-shaped female genital field more than two thirds longer than the whole length of the genital double somite; telson of male and female with a ventral and distally inserted medial and bifid spiniform processes, internal to the furcal insertion. The phylogenetic position of the new genus within the Fontinalicaridinae is unclear.

The First Report of a Water Mite Unionicola (Trombidiformes: Unionicolidae) Infection in Filopaludina spp. (Gastropoda: Viviparidae) from Thailand with a Description of a New Species of Unionicola (Polyatax) kasetbangkhenensis sp. nov.

Two species of gastropods, Filopaludina sumatrensis polygramma and F. martensi martensi, were found infested with water mites of the genus Unionicola in Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, Thailand. Morphological studies on these water mites, based on the characteristics of their genital acetabular and female genital fields, identified them as a new member of subgenus Polyatax. Unionicola (Polyatax) kasetbangkhenensis sp. nov. was named after the first location where this parasitic water mite was discovered. This species is distinguished from others by the pattern of their female genital field, with their anterior acetabular plates each bearing two acetabula and a short thick spine on the inner margin. Additionally, it differs from other species by the structure of the spines in its pedipalps and legs, as well as in the shapes of its coxal plates.

REDESCRIPTION OF <i>MORARIA</i> (<i>BAIKALOMORARIA</i>) <i>WERESTSCHAGINI</i> BORUTZKY 1949 (COPEPODA, HARPACTICOIDA, CANTHOCAMPTIDAE) FROM LAKE BAIKAL

This report is the second of a series devoted to redescriptions of members of Baikalomoraria based on modern research methods. An illustrated redescription of the female and male of Moraria (Baikalomoraria) werestschagini Borutzky 1949, a rare endemic harpacticoid species from the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, is presented. Since the type material of the species was lost, it became necessary to select a neotype. For the first time, the morphology of this species was studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy, and a description of the mouthparts and antennules was given. The description of the swimming legs was significantly supplemented and the structure of the genital field was shown, including data on the morphological variability of limbs. In addition, we briefly describe the fifth copepodite stages of the male and female. The fifth copepodite stage of the female was found to bear long apical setae on the caudal rami, vs adult females characterized by short setae more similar to spines.

REDESCRIPTION OF <i>MORARIA</i> (<i>BAIKALOMORARIA</i>) <i>LONGICAUDA</i> BORUTZKY 1952 (COPEPODA, HARPACTICOIDA, CANTHOCAMPTIDAE) FROM LAKE BAIKAL

An illustrated redescription of the female and male of Moraria (Baikalomoraria) longicauda Borutzky 1952 is presented, a harpacticoid species endemic to the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, Siberia. A neotype is designated, because the type material is lost. The morphology of this species was studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy for the first time. An illustrated description of the mouthparts and antennules is given; that of the swimming legs being expanded. The structure of the genital field is shown and data on morphological variability are presented.

REDESCRIPTION OF <i>CANTHOCAMPTUS LATUS</i> BORUTZKY 1947 (COPEPODA, HARPACTICOIDA, CANTHOCAMPTIDAE) FROM LAKE BAIKAL

An illustrated redescription of both female and male of Canthocamptus latus Borutzky 1947, a mass endemic species of harpacticoid from the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, which plays important roles in the food chains of shallow waters, is given based on newly collected material. This species is well distinguished from other endemic Baikal species of the genus Canthocamptus Westwood 1836 in the structure of the caudal rami and swimming legs. Morphologically, the species is similar to Canthocamptus bulbifer Borutzky 1947. Information on the neotype is presented, because type material was lost. The morphology of this species was studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy for the first time. Illustrated descriptions of the mouthparts and antennules are given, and the description of the swimming legs is expanded. The structure of the genital field is shown, and data on morphological variability are presented.

Two New Species of the Family Canuellidae Lang, 1944 (Copepoda: Polyarthra), from Korea, with a Key to Species of the Genus Scottolana Huys, 2009

Two new species of the genus Scottolana Huys, 2009, were collected from Korean waters. S. daecheonensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to S. jasani Song, Kangtia, Khim, and Chullasorn, 2018, from the Yellow Sea, Korea, and S. gomezi Nazari, Mirshamsi, Sari, Aliabadian, and Martinez Arbizu, 2018, from Bandar Abbas, Iran. However, it can clearly be distinguished from its congeners by rostrum with two tiny lateral sensilla, 4-segemented antennule in female, and 5-segmented antennule in male, 3-segmented mandibular exopod, P3 basis with an inner spinous process on the posterior surface, P3 endopod-3 without a modified tube-pore along the inner margin in male, P4 endopod-2 crumpled inner margin with strong spinules in male, P5 second outermost seta naked, caudal rami with an unguiform extension on the inner margins, and caudal seta V with a normal base in female. S. wonchoeli sp. nov. is similar to S. geei Mu and Huys, 2004 from the Bohai Sea, and S. longipes (Thompson I.C. and Scott A., 1903) sensu Wells and Rao (1987) from the Andaman Islands, but it can clearly be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following features: rostrum with a broadly rounded apex, 3-segemented antennule in female and 5-segmented in male, antennary exopod 8-segmented, female genital field relatively small, extending about one-third of genital double-somite, genital somite with paired lateral spinous processes in male, P6 with a long proximal element in male, and maxillular endopod with 11 setae in total. In a molecular analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) genes, the interspecific distance was 20.031% for COI and 3.214% for 18S rRNA between the two new species. A key for the identification of the species of Scottolana is included.

Два новых вида водяных клещей рода Lebertia Neuman, 1880 (Acari, Hydrachnidae: Lebertiidae) из северных озер России

Illustrated descriptions of two new water mite species of the genus Lebertia: L. (Pilolebertia) makarovae sp. n. and L. (Mixolebertia) prokini sp. n. from northern lakes of Russia are presented. Genital field in the female L. makarovae sp.n. with three pairs of small subequal acetabula, lying on elongated basal sclerites. The male L. prokini sp. n. characterised by the following features: the integument smooth; coxal shield embracing the genital field to about ¾; P-4 ventral sectors 1:1:2; IV-Leg-6 with five to six short, thick ventral setae.

К систематике водяного клеща Feltria ishikariensis Imamura (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Feltriidae)

First illustrated description of male and redescription of female of the water mite Feltria ishikariensis Imamura, 1954 from running waters of Primorye Territory of Russia is given. Dorsum of male with large shield and two narrow posterior platelets. Dorsal shield bearing four pairs of setae, posterior plates with one glandularia each. Coxal plates in four groups. The genital field with deep posteromedian indentation, 40–50 pairs of acetabula and four pairs fine medial setae. III-Leg-6 with short ventrodistal projection bearing four to five slender setae. Excretory pore in posteroventral position.

Sensory-Tactile Functional Mapping and Use-Associated Structural Variation of the Human Female Genital Representation Field.

The precise location of the human female genital representation field in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is controversial and its capacity for use-associated structural variation as a function of sexual behavior remains unknown. We used a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-compatible sensory-tactile stimulation paradigm to functionally map the location of the female genital representation field in 20 adult women. Neural response to tactile stimulation of the clitoral region (vs right hand) identified individually-diverse focal bilateral activations in dorsolateral areas of S1 (BA1–BA3) in alignment with anatomic location. We next used cortical surface analyses to assess structural thickness across the 10 individually most activated vertices per hemisphere for each woman. We show that frequency of sexual intercourse within 12 months is correlated with structural thickness of the individually-mapped left genital field. Our results provide a precise functional localization of the female genital field and provide support for use-associated structural variation of the human genital cortex.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We provide a precise location of the human female genital field in the somatosensory cortex and, for the first time, provide evidence in support of structural variation of the human genital field in association with frequency of genital contact. Our study represents a significant methodological advance by individually mapping genital fields for structural analyses. On a secondary level, our results suggest that any study investigating changes in the human genital field must map the field individually to achieve sufficient precision. Our results pave the way for future research into the plasticity of the human genital cortex as a function of normal or adverse experience as well as changes in pathologic conditions, i.e., sexual dysfunction, sexual deviation, or sexual risk-taking behavior.

Two rare species of Danielsseniinae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Pseudotachidiidae) from the Kara and East Siberian Seas, with description of their previously unknown sexes

The previously unknown females of Danielssenia spitsbergensis Gee Huys, 1994 and males of Mucrosenia kendalli Gee Huys, 1994 (Pseudotachidiidae, Danielsseniinae) are described based on specimens collected in the Kara and East Siberian Seas. Females of D. spitsbergensis exhibit the main diagnostic features of the genus Danielssenia Boeck, 1873 (antennule four-segmented; proximal segment of antennary exopod with one seta; structure of all the mouthparts; absence of an inner seta on exopod-1 of P2P4; P5 not fused medially and with distinct exopod and baseoendopod, the latter with five setae; genital field with small copulatory pore and short copulatory duct leading to seminal receptacle with paired anterior chambers). At the same time, these specimens also exhibit some distinctive features which are unique for the species but disagree with the generic diagnosis. These peculiarities validate the placing of D. spitsbergensis as species incertae sedis within Danielssenia and point out the necessity of examination of other 'Danielssenia-like forms before the true taxonomic position of this species can be elucidated. Both males and females of M. kendalli exhibit the autapomorphies of the genus, viz. P2 endopod-2 with a mucroniform process reaching almost to end of endopod-3 (this sexually dimorphic character is more pronounced in the males but also present in females); P2 endopod-2 without inner seta; posterior displacement of caudal ramus seta II; presence of tuft of long setules at inner distal corner of caudal ramus; P2 endopod shorter than exopod; P2P4 exopod-1 without inner seta. Furthermore, some particular features (anal somite and pseudoperculum morphology; female P1 endopod distinctly longer than exopod; P5 exopod with distinct suture on dorsal surface separating it from the baseoendopod; prominent mucroniform process on P2 endopod-2) of the Kara and East Siberian Sea specimens conform fully with the original description of M. kendalli but apparently differ from M. kliei (Smirnov, 1946), the single female of which was collected from the same region and depth. Therefore, the validity and definite status of the specimen described by Smirnov is still a matter of conjecture pending additional findings and, particularly, the discovery of the male.

Описание нового вида водяного клеща рода Limnesia Koch, 1836 (Acari, Hydrachnidae: Limnesiidae) из Монголии

An illustrated description of male of a new species Limnesia mongolica sp. nov. from Dergun reservoir of Mongolia is given. The genital field with three pairs of small acetabula, distance between ac.1 and ac.2 two to three times larger than length of any acetabulum, distance between ac.2 and ac.3 equal or larger than length of any acetabulum; P-4 distally strongly curved, with two simple ventral setae near middle of segment.

Новый вид водяного клеща рода Protzia Piersig, 1896 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hydryphantidae) из Казахстана

An illustrated description of male of the new species Protzia aksuensis sp. nov. from running waters of Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve of Kazakhstan is given. The genital field of the new species with 9 pairs of acetabula and 13–14 pairs setae, all genital acetabula roundish on short stalks, genital setae located on very narrow slightly sclerotized strips; frontal eye not developed; leg claws with 10–12 lateral and medial clawlets.

Torrenticola dowlingi sp. nov. a new water mite from Iran based on morphometrical and molecular data (Acariformes, Hydrachnidia, Torrenticolidae)

ABSTRACT The genus Torrenticola Piersig, 1896 is a common water mite group in the running waters in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica and Australasia. In the present study we used an integrative taxonomic approach by applying partial COI sequences (DNA-barcodes) to describe a new species of the genus Torrenticola, T. dowlingi Pešić sp. nov. from Iran. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to T. laskai Di Sabatino, 2009 from which it differs by the larger dimensions of idiosoma and genital field. The K2P distance that separated the new species from T. laskai was amounted to 3.98%. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:93EBC5FF-0F17-41BA-9BBB-5EE840E8A84C

Studies on the cuticle and musculature of freshwater mite, Unionicola aegyptiaca

BackgroundThe aquatic Acari are known as water mites and occupy a wide range of habitats. The freshwater mites, Unionicola aegyptiaca, were collected from the freshwater mussel, Caelatura aegyptiaca, River Nile, Sohag, Egypt. The present paper focuses on the structure of the cuticle and musculature of freshwater mite, U. aegyptiaca.ResultsHistologically, the cuticle consists of two main layers: epicuticle and procuticle. The latter divided into two sublayers, exocuticle (exo) and endocuticle (en). The musculature of the present species, U. aegyptiaca, is divided into three regions: gnathosoma, idiosoma, and legs. The muscles of the body are classified according to their position and function.ConclusionDetails of muscles of gnathosoma, coxal epimerae, genital field, and legs were all described and discussed. The cuticle and musculature of U. aegyptiaca were studied by using the light microscope, and the drawings were down with the help of a camera Lucida. It is likely to note that the cuticle and musculature of freshwater mite, U. aegyptiaca, were described and discussed for the first time in Egypt.

A new taxonomic placement for Scutobates Cook, 1966, with the description of a new species from French Guiana (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Hygrobatidae).

The water mite taxon Scutobates Cook, 1966 was originally described from Liberia, and treated by Cook (1966) as a subgenus of Hygrobates Koch, 1837. One of the most striking characters of Scutobates is the absence of a dorsal furrow, a ring or partial ring of unsclerotised cuticle between the dorsal plate or closely fitting platelets and the ventral shield. In the Hygrobatidae, secondary sclerotization, where the integument of the idiosoma other than the coxae, gnathosoma, genital field and glandularia bases, hardens to form sometimes extensive and merging plates can be extensive. For example, in the genus Thoracohygrobates Lundblad, 1936 the secondary sclerotization extends from the venter laterally onto the dorsum leaving a strip of membranous integument, but there is no dorsal plate development and therefore no dorsal furrow (Cook 1974). In Scutobates, the dorsum is completely sclerotized and seamlessly merges with the venter. The absence of a dorsal furrow on a completely sclerotized watermite is very rare.

Two new Asian species of the genus Scottolana Huys, 2009 (Copepoda: Canuelloida: Canuellidae)

Two new species of the family Canuellidae Lang, 1944, Scottolana jasani sp. nov. collected from Gusipo Beach, Korea and S. huysi sp. nov. from Kata Beach, Phuket Island, Thailand, are described. So far 14 species are currently known in the genus, of which only two, S. bulbifera from Russia, China, and Korea, and S. geei from China, have been reported from Asia. The new species, Scottolana jasani sp. nov. and S. huysi sp. nov., belong to the longipes-group, defined by the presence of two postgenital segments in the female, and caudal ramus with a proximal hook-like inner projection. Scottolana jasani sp. nov. closely resembles S. geei. However, it is easily distinguished by the following characters: (1) number of segments of antennal exopod (8 in the new species, but 9 in S. geei); (2) setae I, and II of caudal ramus; (3) shape of genital field in both sexes; (4) segmentation of mandibular exopod; and (5) spinular ornamentation of endopod-2 in P1. Scottolana huysi sp. nov. is also closely related to S. geei. However, it is unique and different from S. geei by (1) indistinctly 4-segmented antennule in the female; (2) 5-segmented male antennule; (3) larger genital field in female; (4) inner long seta on P4 coxa; and (5) the morphology of caudal seta II, being long and plumose, with a bulbiform base in the female only.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:33BFE1A2-8C95-4A9D-9E7A-B495CEEC3182

Candona alchichica (Podocopida: Candonidae), a new ostracod species from saline, tropical Lake Alchichica, Mexico

In North America, most species of the Candonidae family belong to the genus <em>Candona</em>. These species are frequently found in freshwater ecosystems and in sediment sequences, which makes them valuable tools for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Knowledge of Mexican <em>Candona</em> species is limited, however, and scant information exists regarding their taxonomy and ecology. Here we describe <em>Candona alchichica,</em> a new ostracod species we suggest being endemic to Lake Alchichica, central Mexico. The species belongs to the <em>acuminata</em> group of species, based on the presence of 5+1 setae on the second segment of the mandibular palp. It is closely related to <em>C. patzcuaro</em>,<em> C. tahoensis</em> and <em>C. ohioensis</em>, but differs from those species in that the females have an elongated genital field, wide at the base and narrow at the end. Males have elongated hook-like prehensile palps and a particular arrangement of lobes in the hemipenis, <em>i.e</em>., the a-lobe is inclined with a digitiform basal projection, the b-lobe is distally rounded and the h-lobe is square-shaped and exceeding the length of the b-lobe. <em>Candona alchichica</em> n. sp. and <em>C. patzcuaro</em> display very similar shells in length and morphology, which can cause confusion if identification is carried out in the absence of soft parts, a common situation when dealing with carapace and valve remains in sediment cores. Detailed morphometric analyses, however, revealed a clear difference between the valves of the two taxa. <em>Candona alchichica</em> n. sp. has taller valves (p˂0.05), with concave dorsal margin, and with the anterior margin considerably narrower than posterior margin, all characteristics different from<em> C. patzcuaro.</em> Most important, in spite of their similar shape, the two species exhibit contrasting ecological preferences. <em>Candona alchichica</em> n. sp. inhabits clear, cold, saline, oligotrophic waters, whereas <em>C. patzcuaro</em> dwells in turbid, warm, fresh, eutrophic waters. In addition, we include a revision of the morphological characteristics and taxonomic position of <em>C. patzcuaro</em>, based on type material and specimens collected from the type locality (<em>i.e</em>., Lake Pátzcuaro, Michoacán). This study highlights the importance of undertaking detailed morphometric analyses of the recent ostracod fauna to provide reliable taxonomic identifications and ecological characterizations of species, which are critical for accurate paleoclimatic and paleoecological reconstructions.

A new species ofEnhydrosoma(Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Cletodidae) from Korea, with redescription ofE. intermediaand establishment of a new genus

Abstract Two species of Enhydrosoma Boeck, 1873, found in muddy sediments in the sublittoral zone of Gwangyang Bay, represent the first record of this genus in Korea. Enhydrosoma coreana, new species, shares a number of rare morphological features with the type species, E. curticauda Boeck, 1872, such as a bifid rostrum with centrally inserted sensilla, endopodal lobe of P5 with a peduncle, and a characteristic shape of the female genital field. They differ in the armature formula of the mandible, P1 endopod, and P5 exopod, size of the P5 peduncle, and minor details in the ornamentation of several somites. Enhydrosoma intermedia Chislenko, 1978 is redescribed from its holotype, freshly collected Korean material, and freshly collected material from and near its type locality in the Russian Far East. Its male is described for the first time. Minor morphological differences are observed between these two disjunct populations, such as longer caudal rami and sparse hair-like spinules on somites in Korean speci...

Fine structures of the ejaculatory sac and sperm pump of the scorpionfly Panorpa liui Hua (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Male adults of Panorpidae possess a special sperm pump, through which the males transfer liquid sperm to the females. However, the structures of the sperm pump and the transfer mechanism have not been satisfactorily elucidated hitherto. In this paper the structures of the ejaculatory sac and sperm pump of the scorpionfly Panorpa liui Hua were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ejaculatory sac is located between the basal end of the paired vasa deferentia and the aedeagus, comprising a small anterior part and a large posterior part. The anterior part is simple and functions only as a channel for sperm transfer. The epithelial cells of the large posterior part likely have secretory functions. The sperm pump is formed by the posterior region of the ejaculatory sac and derivates of the genital field, which enclose the pumping chamber, a piston and the associated muscles. The orifice of the ejaculatory duct lies ventrad of the piston. The piston of the sperm pump is heavily sclerotized and controlled by two antagonistic muscle pairs. A pair of simple tubular accessory glands opens to the pumping chamber. Two well-developed sex pheromone glands are located on the ventral side of the ejaculatory sac, and are composed of two fan-shaped lamellae. The epithelium of the sex pheromone glands is single-layered, and forms densely filamentous processes. The ejaculation mechanism is briefly discussed based on the morphology of ejaculatory sac and sperm pump.

A new marine water mite species (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Pontarachnidae) from a coastal lake in Southeast Madagascar

Litarachna madagascariensis, a new species of the marine water mite family Pontarachnidae (Acari: Hydrachnidia), is described from a coastal lake in Southeast Madagascar. From the most similar species, i.e. Litarachna smiti Pešić et al., 2008 and L. bartschae Smit, 2003, sharing a ventral projection on P-2 and the setal tubercle and peg-like seta on P-4, the new species can be distinguished by the combination of the glandularium-like structure fused with Cx-IV and, restricted to males, the medial apodemes of Cx-IV not extending beyond the anterior margin of the genital field and a moderate number of perigenital setae (19–21 pairs). The total number of Pontarachnidae species worldwide tallies now to 44 species.