Viviparous Females Research Articles

Adenophoraphis, a new aphid genus from Kazakhstan (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Macrosiphini)

Currently, 889 species of aphids from three families are known in Kazakhstan: Adelgidae (10 species), Phylloxeridae (2), Aphididae (877) [1]. A new to science genus of aphids Adenophoraphis gen. n. and a new species Adenophoraphis burabaica sp. n. described from Kazakhstan. The specimens of the new taxon were collected in Akmola Region of the northern Kazakhstan in 2002. The new genus belongs to the subtribe Macrosiphina of the tribe Macrosiphini (Aphidinae). It lives on Adenophora liliifolia (L.) A. DC, no ant attendance was observed. During the collection period, only apterous viviparous females were found. The specimens were collected in a deciduous forest, in the Kazakh uplands, on the Kokshetau Upland. The new genus belongs to the subtribe Macrosiphina of the tribe Macrosiphini of the subfamily Aphidinae. In addition to the new genus, the other members of Macrosiphina inhabiting Campanulaceae include Campanulaphis Kadyrbekov, 2016, Megouroleucon Miyazaki, 1971, Tshernovaia Holman et Szelegiewicz, 1964 and Uroleucon Mordvilko, 1914.

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS APHIDUROMYZUS UMAROV ET IBRAIMOVA, 1967 (HEMIPTERA: APHIDOMORPHA: APHIDIDAE) FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Aphiduromyzus dzhungaricus Kadyrbekov, sp. n. is described from the South- Eastern Kazakhstan (Dzhungar Alatau). The new species differs from A. rosae Umarov et Ibraimova, 1967 by ratios of processus terminalis to base of VI antennal segment, length of siphunculus to length of cauda, and ultimate rostral segment to base of VI antennal segment, by the presence of marginal tubercles only on the pronotum, I‒IV and VII abdominal segments and quantity of setae on the cauda. A key to apterous and alate viviparous females of the genus Aphiduromyzus Umarov et Ibraimova, 1967 is provided.

Higher locomotor costs of pregnancy in viviparous compared to oviparous common lizards (Zootoca vivipara).

Pregnancy is a physiological cost of reproduction for animals that rely on fleeing to avoid predators. Costs of reproduction are predicted to differ between alternative reproductive strategies or modes, such as egg-laying (oviparity) or live-bearing (viviparity). However, disentangling the factors that comprise this cost and how it differs for oviparous or viviparous females is challenging due to myriad environmental, biological, and evolutionary confounds. Here, we tested the hypothesis that costs of pregnancy differ between oviparous and viviparous common lizards (Zootoca vivipara). We predicted that the degree of locomotor impairment during pregnancy and therefore the cost of reproduction would be higher in viviparous females. We conducted our experiment in a hybrid zone containing oviparous and viviparous common lizards. Due to the common environment and inclusion of hybrid individuals, we could infer whether differences were inherent to parity mode. We found that the average and maximum running speed of pregnant females was slower than after they had given birth or laid eggs. Viviparous females experienced an additional pregnancy weight burden and for a longer time period, but were not slower at running than pregnant oviparous females. In addition, we found a parity mode-specific effect of reproductive investment; producing larger clutches was costlier for the locomotor performance of viviparous females for reasons other than the mass increase. Locomotor costs were found to be intermediate in hybrid females, indicating that they are specific to each reproductive mode. Our study shows that viviparous females experience an additional physical and physiological cost of pregnancy and reproductive investment. This two-fold cost implies that viviparous females modulate resource allocation decisions and/or adjust their behavioural responses that result from locomotor impairment.

Taxonomic Revision of the Nearctic Genus Drepanaphis Del Guercio (Hemiptera, Aphididae: Drepanosiphinae).

The Nearctic aphid genus Drepanaphis Del Guercio, 1909, the largest within the subfamily Drepanosiphinae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is characterised by distinctive dorsal abdominal tubercles. This study presents a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus, expanding the recognised species to 18, including the newly described Drepanaphis robinsoni Malik sp. nov. Detailed descriptions and figures for 44 morphs, encompassing alate viviparous females, oviparous females and males, are provided, with new identification keys for all known species and morphs. The sexual morphs of 15 species, particularly oviparous females, are documented for the first time. Morphometric and principal component analyses (PCA) are employed to distinguish the studied taxa. This study identifies and corrects numerous misidentifications in museum collections, previously labelled as D. acerifoliae, D. choanotricha, D. kanzensis, D. knowltoni, D. parva, D. sabrinae or D. tissoti. Furthermore, it revalidates the distinct status of D. nigricans and D. tissoti, which had been synonymised in earlier works. Current range maps for all species and images of key morphological features obtained through light and scanning electron microscopy are also presented, providing a more complete understanding of this understudied genus.

Color polymorphism and mating trends in a population of the alpine leaf beetle Oreina gloriosa.

The bright colors of Alpine leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are thought to act as aposematic signals against predation. Within the European Alps, at least six species display a basal color of either blue or green, likely configuring a classic case of müllerian mimicry. In this context, intra-population color polymorphism is paradoxical as the existence of numerous color morphs might hamper the establishment of a search image in visual predators. Assortative mating may be one of the main factors contributing to the maintenance of polymorphic populations. Due to the marked iridescence of these leaf beetles, the perceived color may change as the viewing or illumination angle changes. The present study, conducted over three years, involved intensive sampling of a population of Oreina gloriosa from the Italian Alps and applied colorimetry and a decision tree method to identify the color morphs in an objective manner. The tertiary sex ratio of the population was biased in favor of males, suggesting that viviparous females hide to give birth. Seven color morphs were identified, and their frequencies varied significantly over the course of the study. Three different analyses of mating (JMating, QInfomating, and Montecarlo simulations) recognized a general trend for random mating which coexists with some instances of positive and negative assortative mating. This could help explain the pre-eminence of one morph (which would be favored because of positive selection due to positive assortative mating) in parallel with the persistence of six other morphs (maintained due to negative assortative mating).

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Aphid Genus Nippolachnus Matsumura, 1917, with Synonymy of the Mysterious Neonippolachnus Shinji, 1924 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae).

Nippolachnus Matsumura, 1917 is a small aphid genus from the tribe Tuberolachnini (Hemiptera: Lachninae) occurring in Southeast Asia. Species from this genus are quite characteristic and stand out among lachnids for their morphology and ecological associations. We have performed a revision and phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the relationships within Nippolachnus and other representatives of Tuberolachnini. Here, the taxonomy of the genus is revised based on morphological data to include seven species, three of them newly described: Nippolachnus chakrabartiisp. nov. from India, Nippolachnus sinensissp. nov. from China, and Nippolachnus malayaensissp. nov. from Indonesia. Nippolachnus appear to be non monophyletic genus and a new genus, Indolachnusgen. nov., is described to accommodate Nippolachnus himalayensis (van der Goot, 1917) as Indolachnus himalayensis (van der Goot, 1917) comb. nov. The new genus is a sister group to the remaining Nippolachnus species, which created a monophyletic clade. Neonippolachnus Shinji, 1924 syn. nov. is recognised as a synonym of Nippolachnus, and Neonippolachnus betulae Shinji, 1924 syn. nov. as a synonym of Nippolachnus micromeli Shinji, 1924. For the first time, a scanning electron microscopy study of the sexual generation of N. piri Matsumura, 1917 has been performed. Apterous and alate viviparous females of N. bengalensis Basu and Hille Ris Lambers, 1968, N. piri, and N. micromeli, and alate viviparous females of N. xitianmushanus Zhang and Zhong, 1982 are re-described and illustrated, as well as apterous and alate viviparous females of I. himalayensiscomb. nov. Hitherto unknown morphs of N. micromeli, N. piri, and N. xitianmushanus are described. A lectotype and paralectotypes of N. xitianmushanus are designated herein. Notes on distribution and host plants are given, and keys to apterous and alate viviparous females of the genera Nippolachnus and Indolachnus are also provided.

Macrosiphoniella (Asterobium) herczeki sp. nov.a new aphid species from Bulgaria (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

Here we present a description of a new aphid species from the subgenus Asterobium Hille Ris Lambers, 1938 of the genus Macrosiphoniella Del Guercio, 1911 in the tribe Macrosiphini Wilson, 1910 (Aphididae). The new speciesMacrosiphiniella (Asterobium) herczeki sp. nov. living on Galatella villosa (Asteraceae) in Tolbuchin region, Bulgaria, is described based on apterous viviparous females. The new species is morphologically similar to M. (Asterobium) konyratica Kadyrbekov, 2018 from Kazakhstan from which it differs in several morphological and metric characters. We provided an updated key to Blackmans & Eastop online key to Aster-feeding aphids.

Epicuticular wax chemicals of Lablab purpureus subsp. bengalensis influence short-range attraction and oviposition responses in Aphis craccivora and Aphis gossypii.

Lablab purpureus subsp. bengalensis (Jacq.) Verdc. is an important legume of India and Africa. Both aphids, Aphis craccivora Koch and A. gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are important herbivorous pests of this legume crop. These viviparous females lay nymphs on the leaf surface of this legume plant. Therefore, it is of considerable interest to study whether leaf surface wax chemicals (long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids) of this legume plant served as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in both females to lay nymphs. Twenty-one n-alkanes from n-C12 to n-C35 and 11 free fatty acids from C12:0 to C22:0 were identified in leaf surface waxes. Nonacosane and nonadecanoic acid were the most abundant among n-alkanes and free fatty acids, respectively. Both females were attracted towards one leaf equivalent surface wax against the control solvent (petroleum ether) in short Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. A synthetic blend of tetradecane, pentadecane, tetracosane, tridecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, and heneicosanoic acid comparable to one leaf equivalent surface wax served as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in A. craccivora; whereas a synthetic blend of tetradecane, hexadecane, docosane, nonadecanoic acid, and arachidic acid comparable to one leaf equivalent surface wax acted as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in A. gossypii. These results can provide the basis for efficient pest management strategies of A. craccivora and A. gossypii against L. purpureus subsp. bengalensis using host plant leaf surface wax compounds. Further, SEM studies of antennae and forelegs of both aphids were conducted to observe sensilla structures, which help in chemoreception.

Two new species of Aphis (Toxoptera) Koch (Hemiptera, Aphididae) from China.

Two new aphid species, Aphis (Toxoptera) fafuensis Cheng & Huang, sp. nov., feeding on Adinandramillettii (Pentaphylacaceae) from Fujian, China, and Aphis (Toxoptera) sennae Cheng & Huang, sp. nov., feeding on Sennabicapsularis (Fabaceae) from Yunnan, China, were described. Morphological characters and molecular data supported the taxonomic position of the new species within the subgenus Aphis (Toxoptera). A key for identifying species of apterous viviparous females in this subgenus is provided.

A new species of Cinara (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Japan, and concomitant specimen data publication

Abstract Thirty-one species of Cinara Curtis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are recorded from Japan, including five that are undescribed. We here formally describe one of the five, Cinara stigmaticasp. nov., from viviparous apterous females on two species of Abies Miller (Pinaceae). Morphological and molecular diagnoses are provided. Specimen data are simultaneously published in an open-access machine-readable format.

Morphology, taxonomy, and systematic position of the enigmatic aphid genus Sinolachnus (Hemiptera: Aphididae, Lachninae)

Here, we present a revision of the poorly studied aphid genus, Sinolachnus from the tribe Tuberolachnini of the subfamily Lachninae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) modified to include eight species. Apterous and alate viviparous females of the type species S. niitakayamensis are redescribed together with alate viviparous females of Sinolachnus elaeagnensis. Alate viviparous females of a new species Sinolachnus takahashii sp. nov. and apterous and alate viviparous females of Sinolachnus yushanensis sp. nov. associated with Elaeagnus oldhamii, from Taiwan are described. Sinolachnus is, for the first time, recorded from Japan and the alate viviparous female of Sinolachnus nipponicus sp. nov. is described. Additionally, we recognize two other species of the Lachninae as members of this genus: Sinolachnus plurisensoriatus (Zhang, 1988) comb. nov. (= Cinara plurisensoriata Zhang, 1988) from China, and Sinolachnus rubi (Ghosh & Raychaudhuri, 1972) comb. nov. (= Maculolachnus rubi Ghosh & Raychaudhuri, 1972) from India. We have designated the lectotype for Sinolachnus niitakayamensis. For the first time, we have provided scanning electron microscopy analyses to show the morphology and sensilla of this genus. Following comparative analyses with other Tuberolachnini and Lachninae genera, we propose to transfer the genus Sinolachnus from the tribe Tuberolachnini to the Tramini. http://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:ED1A226C-6DEA-4F17-9669-1D2E33E86566

GIBBOMYUS FAVRETI SP. N. (HEM. APHIDIDAE MACROSIPHINI), A SECOND SPECIES IN THE GENUS

Gibbomyzus is recorded for the first time in South America; it was known in Costa Rica and Mexico. Gibbomyzus favreti sp. n. is described from apterous and alate viviparous females collected in Salta and Jujuy provinces (Argentine Northwest) on Jungia polita Griseb. (Asteraceae) and on an unidentified species of climbing dicot. It is the second species of Gibbomyzus Nieto Nafría, Pérez Hidalgo, Martínez-Torres and Villalobos Muller, 2013 (Aphididae, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini). The differences between Gibbomyzus and Delfinoia Nieto Nafría & Mier Durante, 2017 are provided, the latter genus being established after Gibbomyzus. The features that allow differentiating G. favreti sp. n. from the type species of the genus, G. pteridophytorum, are also provided. The possibility that other species of Gibbomyzus are still to be discovered is commented on. Key Words: Gibbomyzus, Aphididae, new species, South America, Argentina, Jungia polita.

Two new species of the genus Macrosiphoniella Del Guercio, 1911 (Hemiptera, Aphidomorpha: Aphididae) inhabits yarrow in Kazakhstan

Two new aphid species of the nominotypical subgenus of the genus Macrosiphoniella (Aphidinae) are described from Kazakhstan. Both species inhabits yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.). Macrosiphoniella kazakhstanica sp. n. most similar to M. silvestrii Roberti, 1954 but differs latter in the number of secondary rhinaria in apterous and alate viviparous females (5–10 and 24–26 vs 14–25 and 48–68), proportion of the processus terminalis to the base of the VI antennal segment (3.7–4.9 vs 2.8–3.6), proportion of antennal segment III to processus terminalis (0.82–0.98 vs 1.11–1.36), as well as the absence of dorsal sclerites at base of setae and color of all tibiae (brown in M. silvestrii and pale in the middle in new species). Macrosiphoniella sarmatica sp. n. is similar to M. terraealbae Kadyrbekov, 2000 but differs from latter in the ratios of the length of the processus terminalis to the length of the base of the 7th antennal segment (3.15–3.75 vs 2.7–3.1), length of the frontal setae to diameter of third antennal segment (1.6–1.7 vs 2.2–2.6), the number of accessory setae on the ultimate rostral segment (6 vs 7–8) and the number of setae on the cauda (10–13 vs 12–19).

Strong Linkage Between Symbiotic Bacterial Community and Host Age and Morph in a Hemipteran Social Insect.

The relationships between symbionts and insects are complex, and symbionts usually have diverse ecological and evolutionary effects on their hosts. The phloem sap-sucking aphids are good models to study the interactions between insects and symbiotic microorganisms. Although aphids usually exhibit remarkable life cycle complexity, most previous studies on symbiotic diversity sampled only apterous viviparous adult females or very few morphs. In this study, high-throughput 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing was used to assess the symbiotic bacterial communities of eleven morphs or developmental stages of the social aphid Pseudoregma bambucicola. We found there were significant differences in bacterial composition in response to different morphs and developmental stages, and for the first time, we revealed male aphids hosted very different symbiotic composition featured with low abundance of dominant symbionts but high diversity of total symbionts. The relative abundance of Pectobacterium showed relatively stable across different types of samples, while that of Wolbachia fluctuated greatly, indicating the former may have a consistent function in this species and the latter may provide specific function for certain morphs or developmental stages. Our study presents new evidence of complexity of symbiotic associations and indicates strong linkage between symbiotic bacterial community and host age and morph.

Two species of Brachyunguis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) new to Iran, and a key to the Iranian species of this genus

Brachyunguis dendrostellerae Kadyrbekov, 2014 and B. monstratus Kadyrbekov, 1999, both living on Diarthron lessertii (Wikstr.) Kit Tan. (Thymelaeaceae), are recorded for Iranian aphid fauna for the first time. The hitherto unknown alate viviparous females of B. dendrostellerae are described, and the little-known apterous viviparous females are redescribed. An identification key for apterous viviparous females of Brachyunguis species known from Iran is provided.

New Lipaphis species (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Macrosiphini) from central Trkiye living on Sisymbrium sp. (Brassicaceae).

Lipaphis (Lipaphis) erdemi sp. nov. is described from apterous and alatae viviparous females collected in Central Anatolia (Trkiye) on Sisymbrium sp. (Brassicaceae). The new species is markedly different from the other species of the subgenus Lipaphis by having secondary rhinaria on the antennal segments III, IV and frequently V in apterous viviparous females, and always having secondary rhinaria on the antennal segments III, IV and V in alate viviparae. Other features that allow to separate the new species from the other species of the subgenus are presented. The new species is morphologically most similar to L. erysimi and L. pseudobrassicae. An identification key based on apterous viviparous females of the genus Lipaphis known from Trkiye is provided.

The genus Aphis (Hemiptera, Aphididae) living on Asteraceae species in southern South America: Argentina and Chile, with five new species.

In the whole of Argentina and Chile, southern South America in this paper, 20 species of the genus Aphis hosted in species of Asteraceae were known; eleven of them are native South American, and those introduced are mostly polyphagous and widespread. The Chilean regions and the Argentine provinces in which each one of them is known, as well as the host plants on which it has been recorded, are listed. New data of 15 of them are presented, with several first records in different Argentine provinces or hosted on diverse plants: The knowledge of A. conspicua and A. fuentesi, which were recently described living on species of Baccharis, is improved from specimens respectively collected on Senecio and Gutierrezia. A. rogerblackmani Nieto Nafra, Ortego Mier Durante sp. n. is described from apterous and alate viviparous females, oviparous females and males collected on Baccharis in Argentina. Other four species are described from apterous and alate viviparae: A. gutierreziae Ortego, Mier Durante Nieto Nafra sp. n., collected on species of Gutierrezia in Argentina, A. hyalis Mier Durante, Nieto Nafra Ortego sp. n., collected on Hyalis argentea in Argentina, A. pulverea Nieto Nafra, Moreno-Gonzlez Ortego sp. n., collected on species of Senecio in Chile and Argentina, and A. sanrafaelina Ortego, Mier Durante Nieto Nafra sp. n., collected on Tagetes mendocina, Thymophylla pentachaeta and Pectis odorata in Argentina. The intraspecific diversity of Aphis pulverea has been analysed by a principal component analysis followed by hierarchical clustering of principal components. An identification key to viviparous females of the species of Aphis hosted in Asteraceae and known in southern South America is presented.

Morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and DNA barcoding revealed a new unusual species of the aphid genus Pleotrichophorus from the USA (Insecta, Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Here, we present the descriptions of a new aphid species in the genus Pleotrichophorus Brner, 1930 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Macrosiphini), found by Kenneth L. Hibbard, inspection supervisor for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. It is associated with Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt. (Asteraceae) a native plant species in Florida, USA. Apterous and alate viviparous and oviparous females of Pleotrichophorus blackmani sp. n. are described and illustrated using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images of apterous viviparous female of Pleotrichophorus glandulosus (Kaltenbach, 1846), type species of the genus Pleotrichophorus, are given for the first time. Taxonomic notes are given, and an updated key to the apterae of the Euthamia-feeding aphids is provided. A multigene phylogenetic analyses of two New World Pleotrichophorus species places the genus in the tribe Macrosiphini sensu stricto. Pleotrichophorus glandulosus, the type species of the genus, was described from Germany. European specimens of P. glandulosus from France had similar molecular sequences to both Florida species, strongly suggesting that the new species belongs in Pleotrichophorus. COI and gnd sequence data indicate that P. blackmani sp. n. can be identified reliably by DNA barcodes.

Description of a new Myzocallis (Hemiptera Aphididae) living on Valonia oak in Southern Italy with DNA barcoding accounts on allied species-group.

The aphid Myzocallis macrolepidis sp. n. is described from the Apulia region, Italy, where it was collected on Quercus macrolepis. The new taxon has a pale-yellow colour in life as alate viviparous females and paler nymphs. Its life cycle remains unknown at present, as sexual morphs were not yet collected; nevertheless, being the aphid host plant a deciduous oak species, very probably the insect performs a monoecious holocycle. Morphologically most similar aphids are M. occidentalis and M. schreiberi from which the new species can be mainly distinguished by the different ratio of last rostral joint to second hind tarsomer and a few other morphological and ecological features. The molecular analysis also confirms the genetic difference of the new taxon from the other allied congeneric species, and molecular differences are briefly discussed.

A new chestnut-feeding species of Stomaphis Walker (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae) from Korea.

A new aphid species, Stomaphis (Stomaphis) blackmani sp. nov., is described on the basis of specimens collected on the chestnut tree, Castanea crenata Siebold Zucc. (Fagaceae) from Korea. The apterous and alate viviparous female of the new species are described with biometric measurements and illustrations. Being the first report of Stomaphis on chestnut worldwide, a brief note on the biology of the new species, and a key to Stomaphis species in the Korea Peninsula is provided.