Five flightless species of Micromus are known from the Hawaiian Archipelago; only one, the rare Micromus usingeri, is reported from the Island of Hawai'i. Herein, we report the natural occurrence of intermediates between this brachypterous species and its near relative, the macropterous Micromus longispinosus. We compare some morphological and life-history characteristics of the two species and the intermediates. Our study shows that: (1) The two closely related species are broadly distributed on Hawai'i, but they appear to be allopatric altitudinally. (2) M. usingeri is associated with a cool, misty, high-altitude environment, M. longispinosus with warmer, rainy conditions at lower elevations. The intermediates occur in both types of situations and generally at intermediate elevations. (3) The macropterous M. longispinosus has large, oblong, flexible, membranous forewings and hind wings. In contrast, the brachypterous M. usingeri has convex, shortened, elytra-like forewings with reticulate venation, and very small, thick, triangular, stub-like hind wings with greatly reduced venation. The wings of intermediate specimens exhibit a broad range of variation between the two species. (4) Several characteristics of wing venation are highly correlated with reduced wing size; others are not. (5) Aside from the wings, adults of M. usingeri and M. longispinosus differ in relatively few morphological features, most notably the antennal and metatibial length, prothoracic length, mesothoracic length and width, and the length of the spine-covered process on the posteroventral margin of the male T9+ectoproct. The intermediate specimens are variable in adult characteristics, but they generally fall between the two species. (6) Egg size and larval characteristics (except the body length of the fully-fed first and third instars) do not differ between the two species. (7) The evolution of the wing variation is discussed.
The mouthparts of the spoon-winged lacewing Nemoptera sinuata are adapted for the uptake of pollen and nectar. Form and function of the mouthparts are described, and the technique of food uptake is discussed in context with flower-visiting behaviour and floral architecture of the preferred flowers. The maxillae are the main organs for food uptake. The brush-shaped laciniae, galeae and maxillary palpi form a functional unit which can be extended by the action of the cardo-stipes joint. Video analyses of the mouthpart movements distinguished different patterns of maxillary motions which occur in nectar feeding or pollen collecting. The flower-visiting behaviour and the specialised mouthparts of the Nemopteridae are derived traits which probably evolved from predatory and biting/chewing mouthparts within the Neuroptera.
Ant-like stone beetles (Coleoptera: Scydmaenidae) include more than 4,850 described species in about 90 genera maintained as a separate cosmopolitan family since 1815. Recent authors have hypothesised that Scydmaenidae might be rooted deep inside rove-beetles (Staphylinidae). To test this hypothesis we analysed 206 parsimoniously informative larval and adult morphological characters scored for 38 taxa. Strict consensus topologies from the shortest trees in all 12 analyses consistently placed Scydmaenidae as sister to (Steninae + Euaesthetinae) in a monophyletic Staphylinine Group (with or without Oxyporinae). The single fully resolved and most consistently supported topology maintains a monophyletic Staphylinine Group consisting of Oxyporinae + (Megalopsidiinae + (("Scydmaenidae" + (Steninae + Euaesthetinae)) + (Leptotyphlinae + (Pseudopsinae + (Paederinae + Staphylininae))))); Solierius lacks larval data and is ambiguously placed within the Group. Eight analyses of variably aligned 18S rDNA data for 93 members of Staphylinoidea under parsimony, neighbour-joining and Bayesian approaches were markedly inconsistent, although partly congruent with the Scydmaenidae + (Steninae + Euaesthetinae) hypothesis. Our results strongly suggest that ant-like stone beetles do not form an independent family, but are morphologically modified members of Staphylinidae and, consequently, should be treated as a 32nd recent subfamily within the megadiverse Staphylinidae sensu latissimo. Formal taxonomic acts are: Scydmaeninae Leach, 1815, status novus (= Scydmaenidae Leach, 1815); Scydmaenitae Leach, 1815, status novus (= Scydmaeninae Leach, 1815); Mastigitae Fleming, 1821, status novus (= Mastiginae Fleming, 1821); Hapsomelitae Poinar & Brown, 2004, status novus (= Hapsomelinae Poinar & Brown, 2004). The family Staphylinidae sensu latissimo becomes the largest in Coleoptera and in the whole of the Animal Kingdom, with 55,440 described species (extant plus extinct), thus surpassing Curculionidae with an estimated 51,000 described species.
First instar larvae of Polystoechotidae sp., and first and older instar larvae of Ithone fusca Newman and Oliarces clara Banks are described; those of the latter species for the first time. The family Ithonidae is unique in Neuroptera in having grub-like C-shaped older instar larvae. Potential morphological synapomorphies of mature larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae are the mandibles with exceptionally broad base and markedly thickened apical part; antennal curvature is fixed and rather characteristic in shape; ocular area reduced or absent; cardo and stipes are markedly enlarged with stipes much larger than the cardo; presence of gula (Polystoechotes) or some traces of gular sclerotisation (Ithone, Oliarces). Larvae of Ithone have numerous larval autapomorphies such as C-shaped first instar larva with reduced abdominal segments IX and X; fused tibia and tarsus on all legs and dorsally directed maxillae. Larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae have some similarities with those of the family Dilaridae, such as no or one pair of stemmata; body not flattened dorso-laterally; mesothoracic spiracle located on fold between prothorax and mesothorax; short and stout mandibles widened at base and tapered apically; robust and elongated fore legs; tarsi on all legs markedly shortened; more than three larval instars. Older instar larvae of Ithonidae are markedly similar to those of the beetle superfamily Scarabaeoidea in having a C-shaped body, at least in older instars; body round in cross-section; sclerites on thorax and abdomen reduced and body surface membranous; each thoracic and abdominal segment subdivided dorsally into two or three fleshy lobes; ventral surface of abdominal apex bears a field of short and stout setae. Chaetotaxy pattern in first instar Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae larvae suggests that it is possible to homologise the sensilla in different genera and provide a system of sensilla designation for Neuroptera larvae. This study is illustrated with 36 morphological drawings.
The ground plan and comparative morphology of the nymphal head of Membracoidea are presented with particular emphasis on the position of the clypeus, frons, epistomal suture, and ecdysial line. Differences in interpretation of the head structures in Auchenorrhyncha are discussed. Membracoidea head may vary more extensively than heads in any other group of insects. It is often modified by the development of an anterior carina, which apparently was gained and lost multiple times within Membracoidea. The main modifications of the head of Membracoidea and comparison of those changes with the head of other superfamilies of Auchenorrhyncha are described.
The recently described and originally monotypic genus Discheramocephalus Johnson, 2007 from the Solomon Islands is revised. Six new species are described, illustrated and keyed: Discheramocephalus brucei sp. n. (Cameroon), D. elisabethae sp. n. (Cameroon), D. mikaeli sp. n. (Tanzania), D. stewarti sp. n. (Bolivia), D. jarmilae sp. n. (Bolivia), D. minutissimus sp. n. (Indonesia). Adults of D. minutissimus have a body length of about 400-426 µm, which is at the lower limit among non-egg-parasitoid insects. Evidence is provided that an egg size large enough to produce a viable larva is the main factor limiting miniaturisation of female insects. Females and males of egg-parasitoids are able to overcome the 400 µm threshold and reach limits of 180 µm and 130 µm, respectively. Brain size is likely the second most important factor limiting miniaturisation in insects.
A revision of the diversity and distribution of Potamogeton hybrids in the Czech Republic is presented. Thorough examination of herbarium material and recent extensive field studies revealed the present and/or past occurrence of eight Potamogeton hybrids in the Czech Republic. In addition tomorphological characters, stem anatomy and/or molecular analysis were used to identify some of the hybrids. All the hybrids detected are between broad-leaved species of the genus, suggesting that hybrids between linear-leaved species may be overlooked because of the overall morphological similarity of taxa within this group. Four of the hybrids identified, P. ×nitens, P. ×olivaceus, P. ×sparganiifolius and P. ×undulatus, are recorded for the first time from the Czech Republic. Four of the hybrids are now extinct in the Czech Republic and the extant hybrids are rare. The occurrence of P. ×lintonii was not confirmed; the previous record was based on extreme forms of P. gramineus. The name P. ×concinnitus, proposed for a putative hybrid combination “P. pusillus × P. crispus”, was lectotypified and reduced to a synonym of P. crispus. Although the absolute number of finds of specimens of Potamogeton hybrids per decade is increasing, this is not a result of more frequent hybridization but of an increase in recording activity. Most records for recent decades are associated with targeted research by a few experts. The typical habitat of Potamogeton hybrids in the Czech Republic are ponds that were previously drained in summer and allowed to dry out. Many historical localities disappeared when the traditional fishpond management was largely abandoned and fish farming become more intensive. In the 19th century in particular some hybrids were recorded also in rivers but these occurrences generally disappeared after the extensive channelling of rivers at the beginning of the 20th century. Many hybrids occur at the same localities as their parents but it is documented that hybrids can persist vegetatively in the absence of the parental species, presumably as relics of the previous presence of the parent plants. Although almost all Potamogeton hybrids are consistently sterile, a cultivation experiment showed that P. ×angustifolius set seeds that were fertile and successfully produced adult plants.
Odontomyia ochropa Thomson, 1869, is redescribed and found to be identical with O. dorsoangulata Brunetti, 1920, which is proposed as a new synonym. The female holotype of O. ochropa from the Philippines was examined and compared with specimens from India, Thailand and Singapore. Terminalia and other diagnostic characters of both sexes are illustrated. The larva of O. ochropa is described in detail. The larval characters are in accordance with the characters of O. dorsoangulata mentioned by Brunetti (1920). The larva of O. ochropa is compared with that of O. cyanea described by Mathur (1933). Cuticular structures and diagnostic characters of both larvae are documented by drawings and SEM micrographs. A new identification key to larvae of Odontomyia known from the Oriental Region is provided.
Adults of Copestylum tamaulipanum and C. lentum were reared from larvae collected from decaying platyclades of the cactus Opuntia in the state of Veracruz (Mexico). The larvae and puparia of both species, as well as preliminary data about their life cycles are described. The feeding behaviour of the larva in relation to the morphology of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton is analysed.
This paper focuses on the morphology, taxonomy and ecology of the widespread cyanobacteria of the genus Nodularia Mertens ex Bornet & Flahault. In this study the benthic strain of N. sphaerocarpa, isolated from a sand-pit near Olomouc (Czech Republic), is compared with brackish and seawater strains. Changes in morphology and growth parameters (biomass and chlorophyll a) recorded in varying salinity gradients were studied and a 16S rRNA sequencing and AFLP analysis conducted. Morphological and ecophysiological characteristics found were in congruence with molecular data. Three major subgroups of the benthic Nodularia (N. sphaerocarpa, N. moravica and N. harveyana) were found using the polyphasic approach. The results of both the molecular and morphological study clearly separated N. moravica and N. sphaerocarpa, as freshwater species preferring a low salinity and the N. harveyana strains originating from a marine environment preferring a high salinity.