Genital Plates 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.

Taxonomic analysis of the genital plates and associated structures in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata)

Recently, new insights have been gained from the ophiuroid skeleton that were instrumental in the inference of a new phylogeny. The so far least studied ossicles are the adradial and abradial genital plates and the radial shields, which articulate with each other and support the genital slit and disc. In addition, the inner sides of the oral shields and madreporites have never been examined in detail. The present study utilized SEM, micro-CT and digital photography to document and examine these structures in 57 species from 28 of the currently accepted 34 families of Ophiuroidea. Early ontogeny and fossils were also considered. Previously, mainly the articular structures had been analysed, but the overall shape of the genital plates was here found to hold important phylogenetic signals. A long-neglected ossicle was re-discovered and studied in detail for the first time, here named the oral genital plate. It was recognized in all Ophintegrida, but was found to be absent in all Euryophiurida. The oral genital plate articulates with the oral shield and supports the proximal part of the genital slit wall. Abradial and oral genital plates were found to be absent in species that lack genital slits, but the adradial genital plate was always present. Numerous new morphological characters with potential phylogenetic signals were identified, described and figured in detail. A pre-existing character matrix was extended and revised with these new data, as well as with recently revised data on oral papillae, and a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was performed. This phylogeny largely agrees with the current molecular hypothesis, but some branches were not supported.

Description of three new species of Carvalhygia Brailovsky, 1995 from The Republic of the Philippines and a key to species (Heteroptera: Coreidae: Colpurini).

Three new species of Carvalhygia Brailovsky, 1995 collected in The Republic of the Philippines are described in the tribe Colpurini (Heteroptera: Coreidae)C. complanus sp. nov., C. herczekia sp. nov. and C. stellata sp. nov. A key to the seven described species is included, illustrated with photomicrographs of dorsal and lateral habitus, female genital plates, male genital capsule of C. camarinesa, C. carvalhoi and C. herczekia, and parameres of C. camarinesa and C. herczekia.

Two new species of the genus Trichogalumna (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from China

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Trichogalumna Balogh, 1960 (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae), Trichogalumna pseudoohkuboi sp. nov. and Trichogalumna vittateata sp. nov. are described from China based on adult morphology. Trichogalumna pseudoohkuboi sp. nov. can be distinguished from other closely related species by the very small porose areas A2 and A3 on the notogaster, the surface of gnathosoma with large granules, five pairs of epimeral setae and epimeral setal formula 1-0-2-2, wide granular band on notogaster with the central part extending forward, the base of pteromorphs smooth, the surface of notogaster porose areas without stripes and the surface of genital plate with stripes. Trichogalumna vittateata sp. nov. is characterized by notogaster with four pairs of very small porose areas, the presence of longitudinal stripes on prodorsum, and the surface of pteromorphs with distinct ridge-like stripes.

A new species of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 from Montenegro (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Hygrobatidae), separated from A. nodipalpis (Thor, 1899), one of the most common water mite species in running waters in Europe

A new species of water mite from Montenegro, i.e. Atractides milosevici sp. nov., is described, using morphological data and DNA barcodes. Morphologically, the new species is closely related to A. nodipalpis sensu Gerecke, 2003 but differs in its distinct COI barcode sequence, as well as details of the terminal segments of the first legs. Morphological examination of specimens of A. nodipalpis from the Netherlands which belong to the same BIN (BOLD:ACA0209) as the specimens of the nominal species collected near its type locality in Norway reveals that the latter, one of the most common water mite species in running waters in Europe, can be identified by the shape of male genital plate with a distinct anteromedial peg-like fissure. A redescription is given of Atractides nodipalpis (Thor, 1899) based on material from the Netherlands.

MicroCT analysis unveils the role of inflatable female genitalia and male tibial complex in the genital coupling in the spider genus Aysha (Anyphaenidae, Araneae).

Sperm transfer in spiders is achieved by copulatory organs on the male pedipalps (i.e., copulatory bulbs), which can be simple or a complex set of sclerites and membranes. During copulation, these sclerites can be used to anchor in corresponding structures in the female genitalia by means of hydraulic pressure. In the most diverse group of Entelegynae spiders, the retrolateral tibial apophysis clade, the female role in the coupling of genitalia is considered rather passive, as conformational changes of the female genital plate (i.e., the epigyne) during copulation are scarce. Here, we reconstruct the genital mechanics of two closely related species belonging to the Aysha prospera group (Anyphaenidae) that bear a membranous, wrinkled epigyne and male pedipalps with complex tibial structures. By using microcomputed tomography dataof a cryofixed mating pair, we reveal that most of the epigyne remains greatly inflated during genital coupling, and that the male tibial structures are coupled to the epigyne by the inflation of a tibial hematodocha. We propose that a turgent female vulva is a prerequisite for the genital coupling, which could implicate a female control device, and that the structures from the male copulatory bulb have been functionally replaced by tibial structures in these species. Furthermore, we show that the conspicuous median apophysis is maintained in spite of being functionally redundant, posing a puzzling situation.

Polishing Michael’s Shoe: The structure and variability in the genital chamber of Uropodina

Primary and secondary sexual characters of Mesostigmata are often used in species descriptions and phylogenetic analyses. The use of these characters has been focused almost exclusively on external structures such as the male chelicera and genital plates, while internal structures have only been utilized for lightly sclerotized species.

The Spittlebug Mahanarva tristis as a Senior Synonymy of Four Neotropical Species of Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cercopidae), and Considerations About M. tristis Subspecies.

Mahanarva Distant, the neotropical spittlebug genus contains 48 species and many of them are only known from their original descriptions and one location. A group of species of this genus stand out due to their similarities and are studied here. Based on comparisons between 28 Mahanarva tristis (Fabricius) specimens and the original drawings of the other species, we demonstrate strong morphological similarities. Examinations of the tegmina showed a polymorphism with different dot and stripe patterns. Those patterns are not exclusive for one species and are found throughout the taxa. Again, studying the male genitals no species-specific characters can be found. Furthermore, differences of the parameres were explained by different angle positions of these genital plates which alter the resulting photos and drawings significantly. On the other hand, changes of the aedeagus can be explained due to its fragile structure and the resulting manipulations during handling. In addition, the overlapping known distribution of the taxa leads to the conclusion that the four species are in fact synonyms of M. tristis and that there is no evidence for the validity of the subspecies. We conclude that the New World spittlebug M. tristis is considered a senior synonym of Mahanarva fraseri (Distant) n. syn., Mahanarva mura (China & Myers) n. syn., Mahanarva raripila (Jacobi) n. syn., and Mahanarva trifissa (Jacobi) n. syn. Aside from that, there was no evidence for the validity of the M. tristis subspecies Mahanarva tristis guppyi (Urich) n. syn., Mahanarva tristis monagasi (Fennah) n. syn., Mahanarva tristis quadrimaculata (Fennah) n. syn., Mahanarva tristis suffusa (Walker) n. syn., and Mahanarva tristis walkeri (Lallemand) n. syn. Unfortunately, it was not possible to conclude the taxonomic state of Mahanarva tristis stalii (Lallemand) because there are no known specimens or types available. So, the subspecies is considered a species inquirenda.

Odara, a new genus to Edessinae (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) with Eleven New Species

Abstract The genus Odara gen. n. is here described and composed exclusively of new species: Odara ori sp. n., Odara amazonica sp. n., Odara caribensis sp. n., Odara dracula sp. n., Odara maculatus sp. n., Odara osaensis sp. n., Odara peruensis sp. n., Odara rondoniensis sp. n., Odara tambopatensis sp. n., Odara umbabarauma sp. n. and Odara variegata sp. n. The new genus is characterized by the dorsal coloration green, humeral angles tooth-like generally with black apices, corium dark brown to black with yellow veins, parameres spearhead-shaped, and the sclerotized swelling of the ductus receptaculi in the female internal genitalia. The species are distributed from Central America to the Atlantic coast of South America, from Costa Rica to Rio de Janeiro [Brazil]. Diagnosis, keys to the species, and distributional maps are provided. Photographs of dorsal and ventral view, pygophore, female genital plates, male and female internal genitalia are also provided.

Ontogenetic instars of Elliptochthonius profundus Norton, 1975 (Acari, Oribatida, Elliptochthoniidae), with remarks on juveniles of the superfamily Parhypochthonioidea

The morphology of juvenile instars of the mite Elliptochthonius profundus Norton, 1975 (Oribatida, Elliptochthoniidae) is studied. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of the representative genera in the superfamily Parhypochthonioidea is given based on our own data and available literature sources, and the major characteristics of larvae and nymphs are presented. It can be summarized that the juveniles of parhypochthonioides have the following character states: body trichoid, i.e., the postpedal scissure of gastronotum is clearly developed; body colour whitish or pale yellowish, lacking the strong cuticular sclerotization, where the flesh cuticle is sparsely foveolate or weakly microtuberculate; the juveniles of the different genera are generally similar, but differ from one another in the shape of bothridial seta, number of gastronotic setae, setations of gnathosomal, anogenital and epimeral regions and legs, development of the genital and aggenital plates and peranal segment.

A new species of Acaudinum Brner (Hemiptera; Aphididae; Aphidinae) from Kazakhstan.

The new species Acaudinum (Acaudinum) rogeri sp.n. is described from Kazakhstan from Serratula coronata L. The new species is close to A. (Acaudinum) longisetosum Holman, 1970 and A. (Acaudinum) roumanicum Holman, 1991. It differs from both species in the proportion of the length of the last rostral segment to the length of the second segment of the hind tarsus (1.471.71 versus 1.221.55), the number of accessory setae on the last segment of the rostrum (46 versus 25). Fewer setae on the anterior margin of the genital plate (810 and 1024). It also differs from A. longisetosum in the ratio of siphunculi length to body length (0.130.20 versus 0.200.30), in having fewer setae on the cauda (1012 and 1317), and 8th abdominal tergite (46 in comparison with 59). From A. roumanicum with a longer second segment of the hind tarsus (0.140.19 mm and 0.120.15 mm). From A. centaureae (Koch, 1854) it is distinguished by setae on trochanters, femora, and ventral side of the body which is long and thin, and a fodder plant belonging to another genus of Asteraceae family. A comprehensive key to distinguish apterous viviparous females based on existing keys is provided.

Scanning electron microscopic observation of the external morphology of Dermatophagoides farinae at different developmental stages

To investigate the morphological characteristics of Dermatophagoides farinae at different developmental stages. The cultured D. farinae was isolated, and the external morphological features of mites at various developmental stages were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including egg, larva, nymph and adult stages. The D. farinae egg appeared a long oval shape, and the larval mites had three pairs of legs. The nymph had four pairs of legs and underdeveloped genital pores containing genital setae and anal setae, and adult mites appeared long and oval in shape, with decorative patterns on epidermis, and had four pairs of legs. In male adult mites, remarkable thickening of the leg I and thicker and longer leg III than the leg IV were seen, and ventral genital regions were found between the basal segments of legs III and IV; the anus was surrounded by a circular peri-anal ring, with a pair of anal suckers and anal setae within the ring. In the female adult mites, slender legs III and IV with an equal length were seen, and a "λ-shape" genital hole was observed on the ventral surface, with a crescent-like genital plate in the anterior part, and the anus appeared a longitudinal slit. An SEM observation of the external morphology of D. farinae provides understandings of the morphological characteristics of D. farinae, which is of great significance for the classification and identification.

Teneriffia hajiqanbari sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Teneriffiidae), first record of the genus from Iran, with a key to world species of Teneriffia

Teneriffia hajiqanbari n. sp. is described based on female, male, and deutonymph specimens collected in mangrove forests in Qeshm Island, in the eastern part of the Persian Gulf, southern Iran. This new species can be distinguished by following characters: gnathosoma without “clasps” ventrally; palpal oncophysis absent; venter with 17–20 pairs of setae; genital plates with seven pairs of setae (female); dorsal body setae minutely barbed; opisthosomal setae d1, e1 and f1 long and reaching or surpassing the base of next seta; solenidotaxy of tarsi I–IV: 3-3-0-1. Additionally, an identification key to known species of Teneriffia is updated.

Description of two new micropterous species of Monasavuhygia Brailovsky, 1996 from the Fiji and Solomon Islands and a key to species (Heteroptera: Coreidae: Colpurini).

The genus Monasavuhygia Brailovsky, 1996 is revised. Two new species collected in the Fiji Islands and Solomon Islands, respectively, are described in the Tribe Colpurini (Heteroptera: Coreidae). A key to the known species is included, with photographs of the dorsal habitus and female genital plates provided.

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.

New species of primitive oribatid mite of the family Haplochthoniidae (Acari, Oribatida) from southeastern Iran

Haplochthoniidae is a small family within the superfamily Cosmochthonioidea and consists of only two genera and 17 species. In this paper a new species, Haplochthonius (Haplochthonius) longiapophysus sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult specimens sampled from soil in Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran. The new species is characterised by very long prominent rostral apophyses; blade-like prodorsal and notogastral setae; genital plates with six and anal and adanal plates each with four pairs of setae, an1, ad1 and ad2 thicker than other ano-adanal setae; epimeral setation 3-2-2-3; solenidion φ of tibiae I very long, solenidion ω of tarsi I longer than famulus, seta d longer than solenidion on tibiae II and III. The new species is morphologically very similar to Haplochthonius (Haplochthonius) sanctaeluciae Bernini, 1973, however, the most significant differences between them is in the morphology of rostral apophyses and number and size of genital setae. The family Haplochthoniidae is recorded for the first time from Sistan and Baluchestan province. An updated diagnostic key to the adults of known species of Haplochthonius (Haplochthonius) is given.

The occurrence of a sphragis and genital modification in Hypermnestra, Archon and Sericinus (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Papilionidae)

ABSTRACT In certain butterfly species males attach a large external mating plug termed a sphragis to the female abdomen during mating. This is derived from male accessory secretions and covers the female ostium bursae and surrounding areas, thus preventing or delaying remating. Specimens of the poorly studied parnassiines, Hypermnestra helios, Archon apollinus, A. apollinaris and Sericinus montela, were examined for the presence or absence of a sphragis. The morphology of the female genitalia, normally modified in sphragis-bearing species, was also examined, as was that of males. In H. helios, the female sterigma was membranous, with a fleshy projection behind the ostium bursae. The sphragis of this species was a solidified secretion deposited over the sterigma, especially thickly on the projection, so that it consistently assumed an irregular conical shape. In the Archon species, the sclerites of the sterigma are fused to form a large sclerotised plate around the ostium bursae, and a sphragis was present as an irregularly smeared male secretion covering the genital plate, associated with long scales from the male valvae attached laterally in rows on either side; this was found at low frequency in mated A. apollinus and A. apollinaris. In S. montela, the area surrounding the ostium bursae is sclerotised and deeply invaginated, forming a small cup. Mated females of S. montela bore a sphragis that formed a lid sealing the cup, being typically a thin wafer of solidified secretion and found at a somewhat low frequency, and also the inner wall of the cup often had a thin lining of a male accessory secretion. The evolutionary status of the sphragis in relation to the modification of the genitalia of both sexes in each genus is discussed.

<p class="Body"><strong>A new species of <em>Pergalumna</em> (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from southeastern Iran, including a key to all species of the genus from the Palaearctic region</strong></p>

A new species of oribatid mite of the family Galumnidae, Pergalumna sistanbaluchestanica sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult specimens from soil in Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran. The new species is characterized by dentate rostrum; long interlamellar setae; long, setiform, finely barbed bothridial setae; complete dorsosejugal furrow; large, nearly triangular porose areas Aa; presence of median pore in females and males; large, elongated postanal porose area and large body size. The new species is most similar morphologically to P. seminervosa Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp, 2008, however, differs from it in morphology of bothridial setae and notogastral porose areas Aa and also by the surface ornamentation of the pteromorphs and genital plates; localization of setal alveoli la and lyrifissures im and body size. An identification key to known species of Pergalumna from the Palaearctic region is given.

Functional Morphology and Characters of five abundant species of Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Functional morphology of five coccinellid species, viz.Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Menochilus sexmaculatus, Propylea dissecta, and Hippodamia variegata, of the Coccinellini tribe (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). These ladybirds prevalent arise in the agricultural fields, hence could be efficiently spotted by their characteristic elytral pattern and spots. However, we have dissected male and female genitalia and found significant differences at the species level. In males, paramere and median lobe while stylus and genital plate in females are exploitable to differentiate species exhibited by line-drawings.

New subtribes of Arachnocephalini (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae) and a new genus and species of this tribe from South Africa

The tribe Arachnocephalini is divided into three subtribes: [1] Pseudomogoplistina subtrib. nov. with one genus lacking ventrolateral lobes on the tarsi and having a massive Y-shaped sclerite in the male genitalia; [2] Bothromogoplistina subtrib. nov. including two genera with similar tarsi but with a different structure of the male genitalia (lacking a Y-shaped sclerite and having a long and thin virga-like sclerotised rachis inside a membranous invagination of the ventral fold); [3] Arachnocephalina Gorochov, 1984 possibly including all the other genera of this tribe (these genera are with a pair of ventrolateral lobes on the second tarsal segment and/or with the male genitalia more or less similar to those of Bothromogoplistina subtrib. nov.). One new genus with one new species (Bothromogoplistes paraproctalis gen. et sp. nov.) are described from a burrow in the arid territory of South Africa. This cricket is probably related to the genera Cycloptiloides Sjöstedt, 1910 and Eucycloptilum Chopard, 1936, but their males differ from each other in the pronotal length, the presence or absence of wings and tympana, and the shape of the paraprocts and genital plate. One species, Cycloptiloides parvum (Chopard, 1961), comb. nov., is transferred from Eucycloptilum to Cycloptiloides.