Setal Pattern Research Articles

A new pea crab species of the genus Arcotheres Manning, 1993 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) from India.

A new species of pinnotherid crab, Arcotheres shahi n. sp., is described on the basis of specimens collected during a crustacean survey along the coastal areas of Pamban fishing harbor in the Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu state, east coast of India. The new species resembles A. pernicola (Bürger, 1895), A. winckworthi (Gordon, 1936) and A. rayi Ahyong Ng, 2007, in having the dactyli of the longer fourth pereopod longer than that of fifth pereopod. Arcotheres shahi n. sp. differs from these three known species in the shape of female carapace, frontal region and chela, setal pattern on the dactyli of the fourth and fifth pereopods and relative length of the ambulatory pereiopods.

DNA-based association and description of the larval stage of Apatania theischingerorum Malicky 1981 (Trichoptera, Apataniidae), with notes on its ecology.

The hitherto unknown larva of Apatania theischingerorum Malicky 1981 is described, based on the association with adult females using sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase region. Genetic data confirmed the distinct status of this taxon within the parthenogenetic Apatania muliebris complex (Schmid 1954). We provide information on the morphology of the larva and figure the most important diagnostic features. Apatania theischingerorum is morphologically close to A. fimbriata (Pictet 1834). In the context of the Apataniidae key of Waringer et al. (2015), the species pair can be separated by pleural setation patterns on abdominal segment I and by their distribution ranges in Europe: A. fimbriata is known from the Alps, the western and central highlands, the western plains, the Hungarian lowlands and the Carpathians, whereas A. theischingerorum has been recorded exclusively on the Iberian peninsula.

Morphological ontogeny of Peloribates longipilosus (Acari, Oribatida, Haplozetidae)

The morphological ontogeny of Peloribates longipilosus Csiszár, 1962, in Csiszár & Jeleva, 1962 is described and illustrated. The juveniles of this species have most prodorsal and gastronotal setae long and some gastronotal setae with excentrosclerites. The larva has 12 pairs of gastronotal setae, including h3, whereas the nymphs have 15 pairs. The larva has excentrosclerites at one pair of setae (c2), whereas nymphs have them at 11 pairs (c1,c2, d- l- and h-series). The notogaster of adult loses seta c3 and 14 pairs of long setae remain, and this setal pattern is the most primitive in Haplozetidae, other species have 10, 11 or 13 pairs of notogastral setae.

Description of the larva of Adicella cremisa Malicky 1972 and a larval key to Central European species of Adicella McLachlan 1877 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae)

This contribution describes the previously unknown larva of Adicella cremisa Malicky 1972. Information on the morphology of the 5th larval instar is given and the important diagnostic features are highlighted on micrographs. Within the genus Adicella the hitherto known larvae differ in color patterns of the head capsule, the morphology of the posterior process of abdominal segment I, and in setation patterns on the metanotum, metasternum, abdominal segment IX, and anal prolegs. With respect to zoogeography, A. filicornis and A. reducta are widespread throughout Europe whereas A. cremisa is restricted to European Ecoregions 3 (Italian Mainland), 5 (Dinaric Western Balkan: Slovenia, Croatia), 9 (Central Highlands: Austria) and 11 (Hungarian Plains; Vienna). Based on mandible morphology, A. cremisa is likely a collector-gatherer and shredder.

A new hyporheic Monchenkocyclops Karanovic, Yoo & Lee, 2012 (Crustacea: Copepoda) from Turkey with special emphasis on antennulary homology

Both sexes of Monchenkocyclops mehmetadami n. sp. were described from hyporheic freshwater habitat in Turkey. The new species can easily be distinguished from the other four species in the genus by having three setae on the inner margin of the second endopodal segment of the first and second swimming legs and four setae on the inner margin of second endopodal segment of the third and fourth swimming legs. The setation patterns of female and male antennules of the new species are analyzed with reference to the hypothetical 28- segmented antennule of ancestral copepod and the homology of the antennulary segments is determined in both sexes. Paraphyletic status of the genus is briefly discussed.

Revision of Eopelma Gibson (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eupelmidae: Neanastatinae)

Abstract. The species of Eopelma Gibson (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae: Neanastatinae) are revised. Six described species are recognized, Eopelma davidsmithi, n. sp. (♂, Borneo: Sabah), Eopelma gibsoni Fusu and Polaszek (♂, Borneo: Sarawak), Eopelma habrotatos, n. sp. (♀, Malaya), Eopelma mystax Gibson (♀, Philippines), Eopelma viridifrons, n. sp. (♂, Thailand), and Eopelma xuthocephala, n. sp. (♂, Nepal). One other partial, disarticulated male from Indonesia (Sulawesi) that represents another new species is compared to the other species but because of its condition is not described. The genus is redescribed and the described species are keyed and illustrated through macrophotography. Apparent sexual dimorphism in color and setal patterns of the fore wings and in structure and setal patterns of the mesotarsi are also discussed and hypothesized as important in male courtship displays for pre-copulatory species recognition.

The larva of Adicella syriaca, including a key to the European larvae of Adicella McLachlan, 1877 (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).

Adicella syriaca is a leptocerid caddisfly distributed throughout the Balkan Peninsula, the Carpathians, the Hungarian Lowlands, the Pontic Province, and the Caucasus. This paper describes the previously unknown larva of this species, based on material from the Greek island of Corfu. Information on the morphology of the fifth larval instar is given, and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. A key to the known larvae of the European species of Adicella McLachlan, 1877 is provided. In the context of existing identification keys, the larva of Adicella syriaca Ulmer, 1907 keys together with Adicella cremisa Malicky, 1972, but the species pair can be easily separated by the number of setae on the pro- and mesonotum, and setation patterns on abdominal dorsum IX.

Two new species of Hyalella (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Hyalellidae) from state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil.

There are 68 known species of Hyalella worldwide, with 23 occurring in Brazil. The state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, has the largest diversity of the genus in the country, with nine species recorded. The current study aimed to describe two new species of Hyalella from state of Rio Grande do Sul, both of them in the Northwest region of the state, one found in a small spring and another in an artificial pond. Hyalella georginae n. sp. presents several clusters of simple setae on antenna 2, maxilliped very slender, gnathopod 2 dactylus not reaching the lobe of propodus, pleopods rami with short plumose setae and a peculiar pattern of setae on uropods and telson. Hyalella gauchensis n. sp. presents antenna 2 with few setae, maxilliped very slender, gnathopod 2 dactylus reaching the lobe of propodus and pleopods rami with long plumose setae. From this work, the number of Hyalella species found in Brazil increases to 25 and 70 for the genus.

On the taxonomy of the Italian endemic Hoplia dubia (Rossi, 1792), with the description of two new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

Hoplia (Hoplia) dubia (Rossi, 1792) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini) is a species that is endemic of Italy, recorded for scattered localities along the coasts of the peninsula and of Sicily. Following the study of a rather large amount of specimens from the entire known range, Hoplia dubia is herein split into three allopatric species. The true Hoplia dubia is redescribed and a neotype is designated. Two new species, Hoplia (Hoplia) meridiana and Hoplia (Hoplia) messapia, are described and the Hoplia dubia species group is defined. For each species, a full description is given and diagnostic characters are summarized and compared in a table. The three species belonging to the group may be recognized mainly by morphological and chromatic differences in scales, scales density, and by setal pattern, which are all illustrated. Remarks on ecology, ethology, and phenology of adults of the species are also reported. All three species treated in this paper are restricted to coastal sand dunes. The significant loss of this habitat due to anthropogenic pressure raises concern about the conservation status of these species.

Ovipositor setation in oldest insects (Insecta: Archaeognatha) revealed by SEM and He-ion microscopy

Archaeognatha represent the oldest living lineage of true insects (=Ectognatha), which are remarkable, among others, for plesiomorphic genital morphology and complicated mating behaviour. I used scanning electron microscopy and He-ion microscopy to examine the ovipositor morphology of seven species, in order to describe the cuticle microsculpture. The species studied are characterised by different types of the ovipositor setation pattern, which are considered an important taxonomic feature for Archaeognatha. The common and well discernible elements of ovipositor setation in Archaeognatha are: (1) non-articulated terminal seta, (2) grooved type I basiconic sensillum with apical pore, (3) multiporous type II basiconic sensillum, (4) articulated setae of different length. Coeloconica-like sensilla and campaniform sensilla demonstrate a variety of transient morphology. Results of this study provide morphological evidence of presence of olfactory receptors on the ovipositor in Archaeognatha. The possible functions of the ovipositor setation in Archaeognatha are discussed.

The larvae of the European Helicopsyche species (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae).

This synoptic paper gives descriptions of the hitherto unknown or poorly known larvae of Helicopsyche megalochari Malicky 1974 and H. revelieri McLachlan 1884 (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae). We present information on the morphology of the larvae and illustrate the most important diagnostic features. This information is used for the construction of a comprehensive larval key to the five European species of family Helicopsychidae. In the context of this key, larvae can be easily diagnosed by setation patterns of the dorsal head capsule, submentum shape, and propleuron morphology. With respect to distribution, Helicopsyche megalochari has been reported from the Greek Islands of Andros, Euboea, Ikaria, and Naxos whereas H. revelieri is known from the islands of Capraia, Corsica, and Sardinia. In addition, ecological characteristics and distributions of the European species are briefly discussed.

Description of first zoeal stage of Cardisoma crassum Smith, 1870 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Gecarcinidae)

ABSTRACTOf the four species of the genus Cardisoma, a larval description is available for three. A larval description of Cardisoma crassum is not available. The objective of this work was to describe the first zoea of C. crassum. Ovigerous females were collected from the El Salado Estuary, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México. The first zoeal stage of C. crassum shares the features typical of the Cardisoma: antenna with the exopod equal to 2/3 of the protopod length, maxilla endopod with terminal and two subterminal setae, first maxilliped basis with setae arranged 2, 2, 3, 3 and with 1,1,6 setae on the endopod of the second maxilliped. Also the telson of C. crassum has only a minute lateral spine. On the other hand, according to this study, it is possible to identify three species of gecarcinid present in the eastern tropical Pacific, using the length from the tip of the dorsal to the tip of the rostral spine, from tip to tip of the lateral spines of the carapace, and the setation pattern of the endopod of the maxilla.

Biology of Scolytus piceae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Northern Idaho and Notes on Comparative Anatomical Features of the Larva.

The forests of the northern Rocky Mountains are hosts of nine species of Nearctic conifer-infesting bark beetles of the genus Scolytus Geoffroy. One of these, Scolytus piceae Swaine (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), infests spruces across the continent including Picea engelmannii Parry (Pinaceae) in Idaho. Mature larvae overwintered before transforming to adults, which infested new hosts in early June. Scolytus piceae most commonly infested shaded out lower branches of mature live spruce. In sporadic wind-felled spruce, the beetle infested the terminal portion of branches throughout the crown, whereas another Scolytinae, Polygraphus rufipennis (Kirby), infested the thicker bark basal portion of the same branches. This niche separation resulted from difference in time of their dispersal flight and ability of S. piceae to colonize thin bark by engraving the underlying sapwood. Population recruitment of S. piceae was low in shaded out lower branches, in balance with this limited host resource. Features of the head of S. piceae larvae differed from that reported in literature, including the mandible dentition, antennal field, and pattern of setae on the postlabium.

Amazoniaseius imparisetosus n. sp., n. g.: an unusual new phytoseiid mite (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from the Amazon forest.

A new genus and species of the subfamily Typhlodrominae are described from the Brazilian Amazon. The main differences between this and all other phytoseiid species are the presence of two unpaired setae on dorsal shield of deutonymphs and adults, and the absence of all ZV setae. It also differs from other typhlodromine species by its relatively long J5 setae, the presence of seta J4 and the broadly rounded posterior margin of the genital shield. Thus, the unique idiosomal setal pattern of this species is here designated as 13A+x:8F+X/JV-3,4:ZV-1-3. Because of the unique characteristics, we here describe this new taxon, Amazoniaseius imparisetosus n. sp., n. g., based on protonymphs, deutonymphs and adult females. This species is accommodated in tribe Paraseiulini Wainstein within Typhlodrominae, due to the presence of the setae z6 and S4. The tribe is redefined and an updated dichotomous key for the separation of the genera of Paraseiulini is provided.

Heleniella helvetica sp. n., a cold stenothermic species inhabiting the upper Rhône catchment in central Switzerland [Diptera, Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae

A description of the male adult of <em>Heleniella helvetica</em> sp. n is provided based on material collected in pristine lotic habitats delimited by the crenal and rhithral of the cold stenothermic springfed stream, which is located in the upper Rhône catchment (Mutt stream, central Switzerland, altitude 1800-2600 m). <em>H. extrema</em> Albu, 1972 represents the nearest species to <em>H. helvetica</em> sp. n. from which it can be separated by the following combination of characters: chaetotaxy of the thorax; low value of the BR ratio; distribution pattern of setae on tergite IX and anal point; anal point broad basally, parallel-sided medially and bearing dorsal setae; inferior volsella long nose-like lobe projecting downwards; gonostylus twisted, macroseta unusually inserted medially on a distinct cylindrical and projecting prominence. <em>H. extrema</em> and <em>H. helvetica</em> sp. n. currently belong to the emended extrema-group, which includes two additional new undescribed species both confined to glacier habitats: <em>H.</em> sp.1, known from the Mutt stream located in central Switzerland (altitude 2200-2400 m); <em>H.</em> sp. A, known from the Eastern Pyrenees (France, altitude 2200-2300 m). Taxonomic remarks, key to male adults of known Heleniella species from Europe and comments on the ecology and geographical distribution of the new species are given.

Mature larva of Stenichnus godarti (Latreille) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae,Scydmaeninae): redescription, hypothesis of displaced epicranial suture and alternative interpretation of homology between chaetotaxic structures.

The mature larva of Stenichnus godarti is redescribed on the basis of a shed larval skin; identification was made by rearing the adult. New data on the life history of St. godarti are provided, including feeding behavior of the larva and adult and longevity of the adult under laboratory conditions. Possible serial homology of chaetotaxic structures across body segments is discussed, and morphological structures of immature St. godarti are compared with those of previously described St. collaris. It is concluded that despite structural similarities and some chaetotaxic structures (mainly on the antennae, mouthparts, legs and thoracic sternites) shared by St. godarti and St. collaris, differences in some important body regions are so profound that it is difficult to draw homologies between setal pattern on the head, thoracic and most of the abdominal tergites, based solely on topological evidence. Differences in the chaetotaxy of the head are especially puzzling and a hypothesis of displaced frontal arms of the epicranial suture is proposed, assuming homology between the presutural setae of St. godarti with postsutural setae of St. collaris. Furthermore, alternative interpretations of dorsal thoracic setae are discussed.

A new species of hermit crab of the genus Pagurus Fabricius, 1775 (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguridae) from the southern Caribbean off Venezuela.

A male specimen of a new species of the heterogeneous genus Pagurus Fabricius, 1775, collected in 1968 off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, was discovered among the vast crustacean collections of the Smithsonian Institution. This new species herein described and illustrated is named P. scopaopsis, and is characterized primarily by the presence of: a brush-like setation pattern on the dactyl of the left third pereopod, dense small tubercles on the dorsal surfaces of the dactyl and fixed finger of the right chela, and a raised longitudinal ridge armed with spines on the palm and fixed finger of the left chela.

Hidden surface microstructures on Carboniferous insect Brodioptera sinensis (Megasecoptera) enlighten functional morphology and sensorial perception.

Megasecoptera are insects with haustellate mouthparts and petiolate wings closely related to Palaeodictyoptera and one of the few insect groups that didn’t survive the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. Recent discovery of Brodioptera sinensis in early Pennsylvanian deposits at Xiaheyan in northern China has increased our knowledge of its external morphology using conventional optical stereomicroscopy. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) of structures, such as antennae, mouthparts, wing surfaces, external copulatory organs and cerci have shed light on their micromorphology and supposed function. A comparative study has shown an unexpected dense pattern of setae on the wing membrane of B. sinensis. In addition, unlike the results obtained by stereomicroscopy it revealed that the male and female external genitalia clearly differ in their fine structure and setation. Therefore, the present study resulted in a closer examination of the microstructure and function of previously poorly studied parts of the body of Paleozoic insects and a comparison with homologous structures occurring in other Palaeodictyopteroida, Odonatoptera and Ephemerida. This indicates, that the role and presumptive function of these integumental protuberances is likely to have been a sensory one in the coordination of mouthparts and manipulation of stylets, escape from predators, enhancement of aerodynamic properties and copulatory behaviour.

Annuli and setal patterns in the flagellum of female micro-whipscorpions (Arachnida: Schizomida): Hypotheses of homology across an order

Schizomid female flagellum, including the number of “flagellomeres” and the setae, are among the most important taxonomic characters within the order. It is widely used to diagnose genera within both extant families. Despite the traditional use in schizomid taxonomy, the phylogenetic signal of these characters has been only once tested in the systematics of Protoschizomidae. However, our understanding of the pseudosegmentation of the flagellum, along with different terminologies of the relative position of certain setae, creates conflict in terms of homology assessments. In the present contribution, homology hypotheses and the phylogenetic importance of these characters across the only two extant families Protoschizomidae and Hubbardiidae were established and tested. The analyses were based on 44 morphological characters of 22 schizomid exemplar species, and two thelyphonid species as outgroup. Parsimony, Bayesian inference analyses, and the ancestral state reconstruction of the “annuli” characters were conducted. The resulting topology revealed Hubbardiidae as monophyletic with the two subfamilies currently recognized (Hubbardiinae+Megaschizominae). However, Protoschizomidae was not recovered as monophyletic. The ancestral state reconstruction of the number of annuli in the common ancestor of Schizomida suggested gain and loss of the different annuli at different hierarchical levels. Finally, the flagellum contains robust taxonomic characters, but caution needs to be taken when used to diagnose genera.

Larval morphology and identification of Rhyacophila meyeri (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae).

This paper describes the previously unknown larva of Rhyacophila meyeri McLachlan 1879. Information on the morphology of the 5th larval instar is given, and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. In the context of existing identification keys the larva of R. meyeri keys together with R. stigmatica (Kolenati 1859). The species pair can be separated by differences in the setation pattern at the anterior pronotal border and maximum head width. With respect to zoogeography, Rhyacophila meyeri is reported from Switzerland and northern Italy whereas R. stigmatica is restricted to the Austrian, German and Swiss Alps and northern Slovenia (Cianficconi 2002; Graf et al. 2008; Lubini-Ferlin & Vicentini 2005; Malicky 2009; Robert 2004).