Terminal Antennomere Research Articles

Definition of the Emmallodera perlifera Species Group (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Scotobiini) from Argentina with Descriptions of Two New Species

The genus Emmallodera Blanchard, 1842 (Tenebrionidae: Scotobiini) is widely distributed in western and southern Argentina and partially in southern Chile, inhabiting the biogeographic provinces Patagonian, Chacoan and Monte. The genus Emmallodera is well characterized within Scotobiini by the presence of a single spine on the profemur of its species, as well as by having pointed terminal antennomeres, and the tarsomeres loosely articulated to each other. Within the genus, E. perlifera Burmeister, 1875 is the largest species and is the only one characterized by the presence of tubercles on elytral intervals. Analysis of the recently collected specimens resulted in discovery of two new species (E. payunia Silvestro and Flores sp. nov. and E. andina Silvestro and Macagno sp. nov.), which share the main diagnostic features of E. perlifera but possess enough differences in elytral configuration and male genitalia to confirm that they are not conspecific. Under a deep morphological revision, it can be concluded that all of the three above-mentioned species constitute a well-characterized species-group inside the genus Emmallodera, while each of these taxa inhabits different biogeographic provinces, i.e.: Emmallodera perlifera (Monte and Chaco), E. payunia Silvestro and Flores sp. nov. (Patagonian) and E. andina Silvestro and Macagno sp. nov. (Puna). This paper includes taxonomic characterization of the group, designation of lectotype for E. perlifera, descriptions of the two new species, habitus photographs, illustrations of genital features and a distribution map.

The first Philippine species of Loeblites Franz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae).

Loeblites Franz, 1986 is a genus of Glandulariini with adults sharing a very similar body form and most taxonomically important structures with Syndicus Motschulsky, 1851. One of the most conspicuous differences between these genera is the antennal structure. In Syndicus, the antennomere XI is strongly reduced, much shorter than X and lacks the basal stalk, so that the two terminal antennomeres are compactly assembled. They either form one oval structure that appears as a single antennomere because the base of subconical antennomere XI is as broad as apex of X (Syndicus s. str.) or the antennomere XI forms a distinct small 'papilla' on top of X (subgen. Semisyndicus Jałoszyński, 2004) because the base of antennomere XI is much narrower than apex of X. Adults of Loeblites have unmodified antennae, with the antennomere XI strongly elongate and with a narrow basal stalk; additionally the antennae are strikingly slender, nearly filiform. Morphological structures of both genera were described and illustrated by Jałoszyński (2004, 2005). While Syndicus is species-rich, often abundant in leaf litter and under bark in subtropical forests (Jałoszyński 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014; Jałoszyński Nomura 2006; Yin Li 2015; Yin et al. 2014; Yin Zhou 2016; Zhou Yin 2017), and broadly distributed from southeastern Australia, through Southeast Asia, Yunnan (China) and Ryukyus (Japan), up to Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas, Loeblites comprises merely four species known to occur in Malaysia, Thailand and China (Jałoszyński 2005; Zhou Li 2015). Loeblites mastigicornis Franz, 1986 is known to occur in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand), L. sabahensis Franz, 1992 and L. minor Jałoszyński, 2005 in Sabah (northern Borneo), and L. chinensis Zhou Li, 2015 in Yunnan (southwest China). Two females representing an undescribed species were also recorded from Yunnan by Zhou Li (2015). Specimens of this interesting genus are found rarely, in small numbers and they are typically sifted from leaf litter in subtropical forests.

Taxonomy of 'Euconnus complex'. Part XIV. Diarthroconnus is removed from synonymy with Psomophus and placed as a junior synonym of Euconnus s. str. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Diarthroconnus Ganglbauer, a subgenus of Euconnus Thomson, was proposed 117 years ago to accommodate one bizarre European species, E. birnbacheri Ganglbauer. Nine-segmented antennae with club composed of two terminal antennomeres was the main diagnostic character of the species and subgenus. Later authors interpreted this feature as a teratological abnormality, and E. birnbacheri as a junior synonym or an infraspecific taxon of E. intrusus Schaum. This led to listing Diarthroconnus as a junior synonym of Psomophus Casey in all existing catalogs, the latter being a subgenus of Euconnus to which E. intrusus belongs. However, since Ganglbauer's publication the type series of E. birnbacheri has not been studied and all taxonomic actions were results of interpreting his original description. Two syntypes of E. birnbacheri were recently rediscovered, and it was possible to clarify the status of Diarthroconnus. Euconnus birnbacheri was identified as identical with Euconnus (s. str.) fimetarius (Chaudoir), and consequently Diarthroconnus is removed from synonymy with Psomophus and placed as a junior synonym of Euconnus s. str. A lectotype is designated for Euconnus birnbacheri.

A new species of Micromalthidae (Coleoptera) from the Rovno amber: 1. Adult morphology

Micromalthus priabonicus sp. nov. from the Late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine) is described. The new species is readily distinguished from M. eocenicus Kirejtshuk et al., 2010 from the Early Eocene amber of Oise in France by the shorter body, unequal length of antennomeres 3 and 4, ovate terminal antennomere, less transverse head, transverse scutellum, and by the considerably shortened adsutural elytral margin.

A New Species of the GenusArthrodosisReitter, 1900 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Erodiini) from Iran

A new darkling beetle species, Arthrodosis taravatii sp. nov., of the tribe Erodiini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is described from Iran. It can be distinguished from its congeners by a unique structure of antennae (elongated terminal antennomeres). A key for the Iranian species of Arthrodosis is provided.

Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Mauroniscidae Majer, 1994

Diversity in Peru: 2 genera, 5 species. Recognition: Adults of the family Mauroniscidae are similar to melyrids of the subfamily Dasytinae, but recognized by their small size, usually 3–4 mm; color, often with elytra and legs pale; head and mouthparts of some narrowed and elongated; antennae often with terminal antennomeres enlarged forming a loose club; and tarsal claws not toothed and lacking membranous appendages. Adults are not sexually dimorphic and the sexes are very difficult to distinguish. Larvae are unknown. Habitat: Adults of Mauroniscidae typically occur in desert regions where they can be found on flowers feeding on nectar, pollen, and occasionally other arthropods. Personal observations (AJM) suggest adults are active primarily in the morning and in the afternoon, and can be collected beating or sweeping flowers of desert plants in the families Asteraceae (Puecephyllum), Bignoniaceae (Chilopsis), Chenopodiaceae (Atriplex), Lamiaceae (Hyptis), Loasaceae (Eucnide, Mentzelia), and Rosaceae (Fallugia). The larvae and thus biology of species of Mauroniscidae is completely unknown. Notes: The family Mauroniscidae was described by Majer (1994) based primarily on characters of the antennomeres, mouthparts and tarsal claws (see above). Recent molecular data (Bocakova et al., 2011) confirm placement of the family as a basal clade within the melyrid lineage. The family is known only from the Americas ranging from Chile and Argentina North to the southwestern United States where some species occur as far east as Kansas. Blackwelder (1957) did not report members of this recently described family from Peru. However, some species can be found listed under the genera Dasytes (Dasytes titschacki Pic) and Sydates (Sydates discipennis Pic) in Melyridae. The five genera and 27 species of Mauroniscidae were monographed by Majer (1995), who recorded five species in two genera from Peru. The main characters that will differentiate species of Mauroniscidae from other families of the melyrid lineage in Peru, are the small size, and simple tarsal claws lacking membranous (ungual) appendages. Most recently, Howell (1997) described Mecomycter majeri from the Sonoran desert region of southern California. All members of the family occur in desert or prairie regions, and there are probably many new species to be found in the desert regions of Peru. Images of a few North American species can be found on BugGuide at http://bugguide.net/node/view/ 748441. The following checklist of validated names was derived from Majer (1995).

Phylogeny of the Agathidiini Westwood (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) and implications for classification and contractile morphology

AbstractA cladistic analysis of the tribe Agathidiini Westwood is presented. Agathidiines are slime mould specialists and they are hypothesized to be a monophyletic group consisting of 12 genera (Afroagathidium Angelini & Peck, Agathidium Panzer, Anisotoma Panzer, Besuchetionella Angelini & Peck, Cyrtoplastus Reitter, Decuria Miller & Wheeler, Gelae Miller & Wheeler, Liodopria Reitter, Pseudoagathidium Angelini, Sphaeroliodes Portevin, and Stetholiodes Fall), based on three synapomorphies: epipleuron present to apical third, mesoventrite without longitudinal carina and longitudinal setal lines present on the tibiae. The dataset for phylogenetic analysis comprised 72 characters representing 198 character states derived from adult morphology. These data were analysed using equal weighting and implied weighting (k = 1–6) and supported the monophyly of the tribe based on three unique characters (epipleuron present to apical third, mesoventrite without longitudinal carina, longitudinal setal lines present on tibia) and two homoplastic characters [antennomeres 7–10 (or 6–9) asymmetrical, apical shape of terminal antennomere abruptly tapered]. The topology of IW trees with k = 4–6 was identical with one of three EW trees. Decuria was sister group to the remaining agathidiine genera whereas the following groups were resolved as monophyletic: Anisotoma, Gelae + Liodopria, and Pseudoagathidium (Afroagathidium + Besuchetionella). The clade [Sphaeroliodes rufescens (Agathidium bockshini, Agathidium subcostatum)] was supported in all analyses except for the IW (k = 1) cladogram. The monophyly of Agathidium was not supported at all and was rendered paraphyletic by the placements of Sphaeroliodes, Stetholiodes and the Pseudoagathidium (Afroagathidium + Besuchetionella) clade. Sphaeroliodes is synonymized with Agathidium (syn.n.) resulting in two new combinations [A. acuminatus (Švec) and A. rufescens (Portevin)]. Contractability is a complex character composed of several morphological features that have evolved independently within the agathidiine tree. Conglobation (the ability to roll the body into a ball) has arisen at least twice in Agathidiini.

Built to break: The antenna of a primitive insect, Petrobius brevistylis (Archaeognatha)

Jumping bristletails (Archaeognatha) have flagellate antennae with frequent breakpoints, structures destined to break when undue mechanical stress is applied. In natural populations of Petrobius brevistylis at least 67% of animals had broken antennae. In twenty-four trials, all antennae broke at a breakpoint under the animal's weight. Breakpoints consist of two cylinders of laminated cuticle, one stuck inside the other. For half the length of the breakpoint the cylinders are separated by a non-laminated layer of cuticle; thus a tripartite cuticle is formed. During a breakage, the two cylinders slide apart along that non-laminated middle layer that seems to act like a lubricant. While the cylinders pull apart, a thin cuticle unfolds that closes off the new tip of the antenna formed by the outer breakpoint cylinder. Later on, the cylinder is not replaced by a new terminal antennomere. Instead, the antennomere directly proximal to a breakpoint, i.e. the one that after the break forms the last antennomere, already possess the same complement of sensilla as the original terminal antennomere. This includes sensilla basiconica Type A and B found exclusively on these antennomeres and the original terminal antennomere. Breakpoints are common to Archaeognatha and Thysanura, insects that moult throughout their lifetime.

Morphological conservatism in the foreleg structure of cicada hatchlings, Burmacicada protera n. gen., n. sp. in Burmese amber, Dominicicada youngi n. gen., n. sp. in Dominican amber and the extant Magicicada septendecim (L.) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Two cicada hatchlings (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in Burmese and Dominican amber are described as Burmacicada protera n. gen., n. sp. and Dominicicada youngi n. gen., n. sp., respectively. Although very similar in appearance, the two species can be separated by body contour, the nature of the process on the terminal antennomere and the shape and size of protrusions, teeth and spines on the forelegs. A comparison of the forelegs of the fossil hatchlings with those of an extant hatchling of the periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim (L.), reveals a remarkable degree of morphological conservatism over 100 million years. A brief review of fossil cicadas is presented.

New species, new records and new morphological characters of the genus Tillicera Spinola from China (Coleoptera, Cleridae, Clerinae)

Two new species of the genus Tillicera Spinola, 1841 from China are described and illustrated: Tillicera sensibilis sp. n. from Yunnan (also from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos) and Tillicera wenii sp. n. from Taiwan. Tillicera bibalteata Gorham, 1892, Tillicera hirsuta (Pic, 1926) and Tillicera michaeli Gerstmeier & Bernhard, 2010 are newly recorded from China. Tillicera auratofasciata (Pic, 1927) is newly recorded in some provinces of China. A key to species of the genus from China is provided. Relationships between species are discussed with emphasis on characters of male phallus, female internal reproductive organs and pit-like sensilla in male terminal antennomere, which is discovered in Tillicera for the first time. The present generic definition of Tillicera is discussed as well. Photos of terminalia of the previously known species are also provided for comparison.

Sensilla on antennae, ovipositor and tarsi of the larval parasitoids, Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron 1906) and Cotesia flavipes Cameron 1891 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): a comparative scanning electron microscopy study

Two braconid parasitoids of cereal stemborers in eastern Africa, Cotesia sesamiae and Cotesia flavipes, have been shown to display a similar hierarchy of behavioural events during host recognition and acceptance. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying host recognition and acceptance, the morphology of antennal sensilla on the last antennomeres, on the ovipositor, and on the fifth tarsomere and pretarsus of the prothoracic legs tarsi were studied using scanning electron microscopy followed by selective silver nitrate staining. It appeared that female C. sesamiae and C. flavipes shared the same types and distribution of sensory receptors, which enable them to detect volatiles and contact chemical stimuli from their hosts. In both parasitoids, four types of sensilla were identified on the three terminal antennomeres: (i) non-porous sensilla trichodea likely to be involved in mechanoreception, (ii) uniporous sensilla chaetica with porous tips that have gustatory functions, (iii) multiporous sensilla placodea, which are likely to have olfactory function, and (iv) sensilla coeloconica known to have thermo-hygroreceptive function. The tarsi of both parasitoids possessed a few uniporous sensilla chaetica with porous tips, which may have gustatory functions. The distal end of the ovipositor bore numerous dome-shaped sensilla. However, there were no sensilla coeloconica or styloconica, known to have gustatory function in other parasitoid species, on the ovipositors of the two braconid wasps.

Anatomy of <I>Ectonocryptoides</I> (Scolopocryptopidae: Ectonocryptopinae) and the phylogeny of blind Scolopendromorpha (Chilopoda)

The chilopod subfamily Ectonocryptopinae (Scolopocryptopidae) comprises rarely-encountered, small-bodied scolopendromorphs known only from Mexico and Belize. Three species have been described, one in Ectonocryptops Crabill, 1977, and two in Ectonocryptoides Shelley & Mercurio, 2005. External characters ally this clade with the speciose Neotropical subfamily Newportiinae. Scanning electron microscopic documentation of the mouthparts, peristomatic structures and foregut in Ectonocryptoides quadrimeropus Shelley and Mercurio, 2005, together with new data for Newportia, enable analysis of ectonocryptopine relationships based on the current character set for scolopendromorph phylogeny. A distinctive “pineapple-shaped” gizzard projection strengthens the alliance between Ectonocryptopinae and Newportiinae, which group together as a well-supported clade that is stable under equal and implied weights. In all shortest cladograms across a range of character weights, Ectonocryptopinae nests within Newportiinae. Scolopocryptopidae (sensu Shelley (2002)), which groups species with 23 trunk segments, kinked gizzard projections, and a pectinate second maxillary claw, is monophyletic in most cladograms under equal weights and is consistently monophyletic when homoplastic characters are down-weighted; the alternative set of equally-weighted cladograms resolves the 21-segmented Plutoniuminae within Scolopocryptopidae. Ectonocryptoides quadrimeropus displays pore fields on the ventral surfaces of the swollen tibia and first tarsus of the ultimate leg that evidently represent glandular openings. Observations on Ectonocryptoides quadrimeropus and Newportia monticola suggest that new systematic characters for Scolopocryptopidae can be found in the specialised apical setae on the terminal antennomere.

Distribution patterns and morphology of sensilla on the apical segment of the antennae and palpi of Hydradephaga (Coleoptera: adephaga).

The sensilla on the terminal antennomere of selected Hydradephagans (Coleoptera) are modified in several distinct ways as compared to the sensilla on the terminal antennomere of Geadephagans (Coleoptera). There are no long sensilla of any type on antennae of Hydradephagans, the sensilla are either short, peg-like sensilla that may be recessed in the antennal surface or they are multiporous plate-like sensilla. Multiporous plate-like sensilla have not been found on the antennae of Geadephagans. A pit sensillum occurs on the antennae of one family, Gyrinidae, in the Hydradephaga whereas it is found on the antennae of several species from the families of Geadephaga. The sensilla on the terminal antennomere of Hydradephaga are often grouped into sensory fields that could be located on a particular area of the antennomere. Sensory fields are also located on the apices of the maxillary and labial palps and the most unique sensory fields occur in the Noteridae. The maxillary palpal apex of Hydrocanthus oblongus (Noteridae) is bifurcate and a sensory field with several types of sensilla is at the apex of each branch. The terminal labial palpomere is greatly enlarged and has a long, slender sensory field at the apex and a secondary sensory field on a thumb-like projection. The sensilla on the palpal apices are more diverse and complex in form as compared to the sensilla on the palps of Geadephaga. The most complex sensillum has a cuticular collar and a dome that is divided into six or seven triangular sections. The dome may be opened or closed and a peg-like sensillum with a very wide apical pore is situated beneath the dome.