Viviparous Females Research Articles

Description of a new species of Hyadaphis Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Turkey

Apterous and alate viviparous females of Hyadaphis bupleuriphila sp. n. living on Bupleurum sp. (Apiaceae) and further undetermined Apiaceae are described from the Ankara province in central Turkey. The new species is morphologically similar to Hyadaphis coerulescens (Narzikulov, 1965), H. ferganica Mukhamediev & Akhmedov, 1979 and H. foeniculi (Passerini, 1860). A key to the apterous viviparous females of Hyadaphis spp. in Turkey is given.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2A0A29EA-5FE7-459D-A337-CFA47601874E

Two new species of the genus Aphis (Hemiptera, Aphididae) from Chile on host species of Alstroemeriaceae and Ericaceae.

Specimens from Southern Chile belonging to two undescribed aphid species held at the Natural History Museum in London have been studied. Aphis luzuriagae sp. n. collected on Luzuriaga radicans and on other unidentified Luzuriaga species (Alstroemeriaceae) is described from apterous and alate viviparous females. Aphis gaultheriae sp. n. collected on Gaultheria mucronata (Ericaceae) is described from apterous viviparous females. Taxonomic peculiarities of both species are discussed.

Description of oviparous females and alate males of Macrosiphum dzhibladzeae Barjadze, 2010 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Georgia

SummaryThe hitherto unknown oviparous females and alate males of M. dzhibladzeae Barjadze, 2010, living on Euphorbia macroceras Fish. & Mey. and Euphorbia sp. (Euphorbiaceae), are described from resort Bakhmaro (Chokhatauri district, Guria region, Western Georgia). The life cycle of this species is established. Apterous and alate viviparous females and oviparous females of M. dzhibladzeae are compared to the same morphs of morphologically similar M. meixneri Börner, 1950. A key is provided to Euphorbia-feeding Macrosiphum spp. based on males.

New records of an alien aphid species Tinocallis (Sappocallis) takachihoensis from countries in central and northern Europe (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Calaphidinae).

The aphid genus Tinocallis Matsumura, 1919 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Calaphidinae) in central and northern Europe is reviewed; it includes four species. The first records of the Asian elm aphid Tinocallis takachihoensis Higuchi, 1972 are reported from the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Poland. The record in Denmark is the first in Scandinavia. Alate viviparous females and nymphs of T. takachihoensis were collected from Ulmus glabra “Pendula” (the Czech Republic and Poland) and from U. minor (Denmark) in 2017. Tinocallis takachihoensis is the fourth Tinocallis species to be recorded from Poland and together with two other species from the subgenus Sappocallis, T. nevskyi and T. saltans, is a species of alien origin. The alate viviparous females are reviewed and re-described and their affinities and distribution in central and northern Europe are discussed. A key to the European species of Tinocallis based on the characters of live and slide-mounted specimens is also given.

Seasonal shifts along the oviparity-viviparity continuum in a cold-climate lizard population.

Squamate embryos require weeks of high temperature to complete development, with the result that cool climatic areas are dominated by viviparous taxa (in which gravid females can sun-bask to keep embryos warm) rather than oviparous taxa (which rely on warm soil to incubate their eggs). How, then, can some oviparous taxa reproduce successfully in cool climates - especially late in summer, when soil temperatures are falling? Near the northern limit of their distribution (in Sweden), sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) shift tactics seasonally, such that the eggs in late clutches complete development more quickly (when incubated at a standard temperature) than do those of early clutches. That acceleration is achieved by a reduction in egg size and by an increase in the duration of uterine retention of eggs (especially, after cool weather). Our results clarify the ability of oviparous reptiles to reproduce successfully in cool climates and suggest a novel advantage to reptilian viviparity in such conditions: by maintaining high body temperatures, viviparous females may escape the need to reduce offspring size in late-season litters.

European species of the aphid genus Eulachnus Del Guercio, 1909(Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae): revision and molecular phylogeny.

The aphid genus Eulachnus in Europe is revised to include 12 species, using an integrative taxonomy approach, based on morphometric, molecular and biological traits. Fundatrix, apterous and alate viviparous female of a new species-Eulachnus stekolshchikovi Kanturski sp. nov. are described. Neotypes are designated for E. agilis, E. brevipilosus and E. nigricola. Lectotypes are designated for E. alticola, E. cembrae, E. rileyi and E. tuberculostemmatus. New synonyms are proposed: E. abameleki syn. nov. (= Cinara pini), E. cretaceus syn. nov. (= E. agilis), E. tauricus syn. nov. (= E. rileyi), E. pallidus syn. nov. (= E. tuberculostemmatus). Eulachnus mingazzinii (near Cinara piniphila) and E. nigrofasciatus (near C. brauni) are regarded as incertae sedis. Full species status is given for E. garganicus stat. nov. and E. ibericus stat. nov. Apterous viviparous female of E. cembrae; apterous and alate viviparous females of remaining species are redescribed. Sexual morphs of E. agilis, E. alticola, E. cembrae, E. intermedius, E. nigricola, E. rileyi and oviparous female of E. tuberculostemmatus are fully redescribed and figured for the first time. Fundatrices of E. agilis, E. brevipilosus, E. cembrae, E. rileyi and E. tuberculostemmatus, sexuales of E. brevipilosus and the alate male of E. tuberculostemmatus are described and figured. A new host plant-Pinus cembra for E. brevipilosus is reported, and this species is recorded for the first time from Czech Republic. Eulachnus tuberculostemmatus is reported for the first time from Croatia. Phylogenetic studies, based on the COI and ITS2 molecular markers, are provided to visualize and discuss the relationships within the European species. COI barcodes are provided for seven species.

A new Caryophyllaceae-feeding species of Macrosiphum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Republic of Georgia, and a redescription of Macrosiphum hartigi Hille Ris Lambers.

Apterous and alate viviparous females and the alate males of Macrosiphum eastopi Barjadze & Blackman sp. n. living on Oberna multifida Ikonn. (=Silene multifida Rohrb.) (Caryophyllaceae) are described from the Republic of Georgia (Caucasus). Type specimens are deposited at the Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University (IZISU), Tbilisi, Georgia; the Natural History Museum (BMNH), London, U.K.; and the University of Catania (UCI), Sicily, Italy. Apterous and alate viviparous females of its close relative M. hartigi Hille Ris Lambers, 1947, living on Silenevulgaris(Moench) Garcke and Stellaria holostea L. (Caryophyllaceae) are redescribed, based on co-types and other material from Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland. The hitherto unknown fundatrix, oviparous females and alate males of M. hartigi are described from Italy and Switzerland. Macrosiphum eastopi sp. n. is differentiated from the morphologically similar M. hartigi and compared with other Macrosiphum species living on Caryophyllaceae. A key is provided to apterous viviparous females of all aphid species recorded on Oberna multifida.

Redescription of Neoamphorophora ledi (Wahlgren, 1938) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Japan

SummaryApterous viviparous females of Neoamphorophora ledi (Wahlgren, 1938) living on Rhododendron degronianum Carr. (Ericaceae) on Honshu island, Japan, are redescribed and the hitherto unknown alate viviparous females are here described. Rhododendron degronianum is a new host plant species for this aphid. This species is recorded for aphid fauna of Eastern Palearctic for the first time. Keys to species of Neoamphorophora based on apterous and alate viviparous females are given. A key to aphid genera with swollen siphunculi living on species of Rhododendron worldwide based on apterous viviparous females is also provided.

First record of Aphis passeriniana (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Asia Minor peninsula

Abstract Apterous and alate viviparous females of the sage aphid, Aphis passeriniana (Del Guercio, 1900) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were collected on Garden sage, Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) in a cultivated sage field in Bornova, Izmir Province, Turkey. The aphid is recorded for the first time from Turkey. Brief information about the morphology, biology and worldwide distribution of the sage aphid, including collecting data and a key to the apterous females of aphid species known to infest garden sage worldwide, are provided.

The Lachnus of Pakistan with description of a new species (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae)

The aphid genus Lachnus Burmeister, 1835 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae) in Pakistan is reviewed to include two species. A new species, Lachnus margallaensis Kanturski & Zia sp. nov. is described on the basis of specimens collected in 2016 in Pir Sohawa, Margalla Hills from Himalayan oak (Quercus oblongata). The fundatrix, apterous and alate viviparous female of the new species are described and figured in detail. On the basis of type specimens and Pakistani material, L. acutihirsutus Kumar and Burkhardt, 1970 is redescribed and compared with the new species. The place of the new species within Blackman and Eastop's key to Lachnus on Quercus as well as key to Lachninae aphids of Pakistan are also provided.

Contribution to the knowledge of North-American species Hyperomyzus subgenus Neonasonovia (Aphididae, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini)

American specimens of the Hyperomyzus subgenus Neonasonovia conserved in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (Paris, France) and the Natural History Museum (London, United Kingdom), have been studied. Data to complement previous descriptions of apterous and alate viviparous females of H. nabali and of apterous viviparae of H. nigricornis, H. inflatus, H. niger and H. pullatus, are presented. Apterous and alate virginogeniae females of H. nigricornis, alate viviparous females of H. inflatus, H. niger and H. pullatus, plus oviparous females of H. nabali, are described for the first time. The morphological and biological variability of H. pullatus is discussed. An identification key for viviparous females of the American species of Neonasonovia is presented for the first time. Microphotographs of apterous and alate viviparous females of H. nabali, H. nigricornis, H. inflatus and H. niger, alate viviparous females of H. pullatus, and oviparous female of H. nabali, are presented.

A review of the Tinocallis Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the Korean peninsula, with description of one new species

The aphid genus Tinocallis Matsumura, 1919 is reviewed on the Korean Peninsula. In total, 8 species are recognized by adding 1 new species, T. (T.) latifoliae sp. nov. and 2 new records: T. (T.) mushensis (Takahashi, 1925) and T. (T.) viridis (Takahashi, 1929) to its current 5 previously recorded species. In the present paper, all 8 species are illustrated and keyed to the alate viviparous females. A new species description is also given.

Perianal structures in myrmecophilous subterranean aphids (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae) – Comparative morphology of trophobiotic organ with its first description in Lachninae

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light stereoscopic microscopy (LSM) were used for the first time to elucidate the external morphology of the so called “trophobiotic organ” on the end of abdomen of apterous viviparous females of six aphid species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae), representatives of the myrmecophilous, subterranean aphids from the subfamilies Anoeciinae (Anoecia furcata), Eriosomatinae (Forda formicaria, Geoica utricularia, Tetraneura ulmi), and Lachninae (Protrama flavescens, Trama troglodytes). We examined and compared the external morphology in the parthenogenetic generation living on roots of deciduous plants. FE-SEM images based on HMDS preparation techniques revealed great similarity of perianal structures even between not closely related groups. Rectangular, vertically positioned anal plate, extremely shortened cauda and setae around the anus seem to be common features of these aphids. However, some differences in the number and length of setae, their arrangement and inclination of anal plate may be observed. The discussion focuses on the adaptive importance of such modifications, with respect to underground life mode and myrmecophily, but with reservations concerning living in galls by representatives of Eriosomatinae, which is hypothesized to be a factor driving the development of such modifications of perianal structures in this group of aphids.

Delfinoia, a new South American aphid genus (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Macrosiphini) on Cayaponia (Cucurbitaceae).

The genus Delfinoia Nieto Nafría & Mier Durante gen. n. is established, and Utamphorophora peruviana (Essig), originally Amphorophora peruviana and currently Delfinoia peruviana comb. n., is designated species type of the genus. The synonymy between this species and Wahlgreniella australis Delfino syn. n. is established. Apterous and alate viviparous females of D. peruviana are redescribed; the male is also described. The species is currently known from Peru and Argentina; a plant of the genus Cayaponia (Cucurbitaceae) is the only identified host.

Compositional differences among female-associated and embryo-associated microbiota of the viviparous Pacific Beetle cockroach, Diploptera punctata.

All cockroach species, except one, harbor the endosymbiont Blattabacterium, transmitted from females to embryos. Adult cockroaches acquire non-Blattabacterium bacteria as part of their gut microbiota over time, but our knowledge of the possible transmission of these non-Blattabacterium bacteria from females to embryos is rudimentary. We characterized the gut microbiota of gravid viviparous Diploptera punctata females and the non-Blattabacterium microbiota of associated developing embryos, as well as the gut microbiota of non-gravid females, and the microbiota of orphan embryos (females not included), following high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to assess bacterial transference. We determined significant differences in community composition between gravid females and associated embryos and overall greater similarity in community composition among embryos than adult females. Results suggest various routes of transference of bacteria from females or the environment to embryos. The bacterial families Halomonadaceae and Shewanellaceae were more abundant in embryos than in gravid females. The functional relevance of these families remains to be elucidated, but provisioning of amino acids deficient in the brood sac secretion is a possibility. Overall, our results highlight the need for further studies investigating the uptake and selective screening of microbes by D. punctata embryos, as well as their functions.

Una nueva especie de <em>Aphis</em> Linnaeus, 1758 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) recogida sobre <em>Gymnophyton</em> Clos (Apiaceae) en Argentina

Se describe Aphis cuyana López Ciruelos & Ortego, sp. n. (Aphididae, Aphidinae) a partir de hembras vivíparas ápteras y aladas recogidas sobre Gymnophyton polycephalum (Apiaceae) en localidades de las provincias argentinas de La Rioja, San Juan y Mendoza. Se presenta una tabla con las diferencias de las hembras vivíparas ápteras de la nueva especie con las de Aphis y sus géneros vecinos Andinaphis y Protaphis, conocidas en América del Sur.

Ex utero culture of viviparous embryos of the lizard, Zootoca vivipara, provides insights into calcium homeostasis during development

The chorioallantoic membrane resides adjacent to either the inner surface of the egg shell or uterine epithelium in oviparous and viviparous reptiles, respectively. Chorionic cells face the shell or uterine epithelium and transport calcium to underlying embryonic capillaries. Calcium transport activity of the chorioallantois increases in the final stages of development coincident with rapid embryonic growth and skeletal ossification. We excised embryos from viviparous Zootoca vivipara females at a stage prior to significant calcium accumulation and incubated them ex utero with and without calcium to test the hypothesis that chorioallantois calcium transport activity depends on developmental stage and not calcium availability. We measured calcium uptake by monitoring incubation media calcium content and chorioallantois expression of calbindin-D28K, a marker for transcellular calcium transport. The pattern of calcium flux to the media differed by incubation condition. Eggs in 0mM calcium exhibited little variation in calcium gain or loss. For eggs in 2mM calcium, calcium flux to the media was highly variable and was directed inward during the last 3days of the experiment such that embryos gained calcium. Calbindin-D28K expression increased under both incubation conditions but was significantly higher in embryos incubated with 2mM calcium. We conclude that embryos respond to calcium availability, yet significant calcium accumulation is developmental stage dependent. These observations suggest the chorioallantois exhibits a degree of functional plasticity that facilitates response to metabolic or environmental fluctuations.

The interplay between natural and sexual selection in the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in Sceloporus lizards (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae).

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) evolves because body size is usually related to reproductive success through different pathways in females and males. Female body size is strongly correlated with fecundity, while in males, body size is correlated with mating success. In many lizard species, males are larger than females, whereas in others, females are the larger sex, suggesting that selection on fecundity has been stronger than sexual selection on males. As placental development or egg retention requires more space within the abdominal cavity, it has been suggested that females of viviparous lizards have larger abdomens or body size than their oviparous relatives. Thus, it would be expected that females of viviparous species attain larger sizes than their oviparous relatives, generating more biased patterns of SSD. We test these predictions using lizards of the genus Sceloporus. After controlling for phylogenetic effects, our results confirm a strong relationship between female body size and fecundity, suggesting that selection for higher fecundity has had a main role in the evolution of female body size. However, oviparous and viviparous females exhibit similar sizes and allometric relationships. Even though there is a strong effect of body size on female fecundity, once phylogenetic effects are considered, we find that the slope of male on female body size is significantly larger than one, providing evidence of greater evolutionary divergence of male body size. These results suggest that the relative impact of sexual selection acting on males has been stronger than fecundity selection acting on females within Sceloporus lizards.

Aphis species (Hemiptera, Aphididae) living on Mulinum (Apiaceae) in South America, with a description of a new species.

Aphis species living on the South American native genus Mulinum are studied. Aphis vurilocensis Nieto Nafría, Brown and López Ciruelos, sp. n. is described from apterous viviparous females. Alate viviparous females, oviparous females and winged males of Aphis roberti are described. Knowledge of intraspecific variability of apterous viviparous females of A. martinezi, A. paravanoi and A. roberti is developed. An identification key of apterous viviparous females of Aphis species living on Mulinum is presented.

Macrosiphoniella remaudierei, a new species of aphid on Helichrysum in Iran (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

A new species of aphid, belonging to the genus Macrosiphoniella Del Guercio, 1911, is described using three samples collected in Iran on Helichrysum armenium (Asteraceae, Inuleae) by the late Prof. G. Remaudière. Both apterous and alate viviparous females of the new taxon, Macrosiphoniella remaudierei sp. n., are described and compared to corresponding morphs of the closely allied Macrosiphoniella aetnensis and to other congeneric aphid species on Helichrysum in the Palaearctic region. Type specimens are now stored in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris.