1
|
Matsushima R. Evidence of morphological adaptation to life underwater: sternal keel affects swimming speed in giant water scavenger beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilini). CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fundamentally, insects evolved on land and secondarily inhabited aquatic environments multiple times. To live underwater, aquatic insects have acquired enormously variable morphological, developmental, physiological, and ecological traits, such as gas exchange systems and swimming-related characteristics. Giant water scavenger beetles of the tribe Hydrophilini (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) are characterized by the presence of a sternal keel, which often extends posteriorly. Despite being a conspicuous morphological trait, its function remains unclear. Here, I verified two hypotheses: keel affects (1) submergence time following air replacement and (2) speed and oscillatory movement during forward swimming in Hydrophilus acuminatus Motschulsky, 1854. Submergence time was affected by body mass rather than keel removal; in other words, larger individuals replaced their gas gills more frequently. Keel removal reduced swimming speed by 12.5%. These observations support the second hypothesis, and are also consistent with previous speculations that the sternal keel is a key adaptation for swimming, but the results showed that the degree of oscillation was closely related to body mass but not to keel removal. Further studies are warranted to elucidate precise factors through which the presence of the keel increases swimming speed. Such studies would provide clues into understanding the associations among body size, swimming methods, and morphological traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Matsushima
- Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Genetic and Morphologic Variation in a Potential Mosquito Biocontrol Agent, Hydrochara Affinis (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12135481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hydrochara affinis (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), a water scavenger beetle, was recently identified as a natural and effective agent for biological mosquito control; it was reported to exhibit high rates of mosquito larvae predation. However, maintaining the quality (i.e., natural ecological attributes, such as genetic variation) of laboratory-reared populations is essential for ensuring the long-term success of biological control programs. Accordingly, here, we aimed to use mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences to document the genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogenetic position of natural and lab-reared H. affinis populations in South Korea and use geometric morphometric analysis to investigate the populations’ morphological divergence. The natural H. affinis populations possessed high genetic diversity and numerous COI haplotypes, suggesting that these populations were healthy and could be directly applied to mosquito habitats without alterations to their natural genetic attributes. The lab-reared populations also possessed high genetic diversity and, thus, the potential for high adaptive capacity to new environments. Although no distinct population genetic structures were observed, quantitative variation was observed in the body shape of both the natural and lab-reared populations. The high levels of genetic and morphologic variation observed in the H. affinis populations examined here indicate the species’ favorable conservation status, genetic diversity, adaptive capacity, and, thus, “suitability” for field application as an effective mosquito control agent.
Collapse
|
3
|
Sato S, Inoda T, Niitsu S, Kubota S, Goto Y, Kobayashi Y. Asymmetric larval head and mandibles of Hydrophilus acuminatus (Insecta: Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae): Fine structure and embryonic development. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2017; 46:824-842. [PMID: 28830832 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The larvae of a water scavenger beetle, Hydrophilus acuminatus, have strongly asymmetric mandibles; the right one is long and slender, whereas the left one is short and stout. The fine structure and embryonic development of the head capsule and mandibles of this species were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy, and asymmetries in shape were detected in these structures applying an elliptic Fourier analysis. The larval mandibles are asymmetric in the following aspects: whole length, the number, structure and arrangement of retinacula (inner teeth), and size and shape of both the molar and incisor regions. The larval head is also asymmetric; the left half of the head capsule is larger than the right, and the left adductor muscle of the mandible is much thicker than the right. The origin and developmental process of asymmetric mandibles were traced in developing embryos whose developmental period is about 270 h and divided into 10 stages. Mandibular asymmetries are produced by the cumulative effects of six stepwise modifications that occur from about 36% of the total developmental time onward. The significance of these modifications was discussed with respect to the functional advantages of asymmetries and the phylogeny of members of the Hydrophilidae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shun'ichi Sato
- Laboratory of Systematic Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan; Ozakudai 3-7-15, Hamura-shi, Tokyo 205-0001, Japan
| | - Toshio Inoda
- Shibamata 5-17-10, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-0052, Japan; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Shuhei Niitsu
- Laboratory of Systematic Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Souichirou Kubota
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Yuji Goto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Yukimasa Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Systematic Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan; Sayamadai 2-21-18, Sayama-shi, Saitama 350-1304, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nasserzadeh H, Alipanah H, Gilasian E. Phylogenetic study of the genus Sternolophus Solier (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) based on adult morphology. Zookeys 2017; 712:69-85. [PMID: 29187789 PMCID: PMC5704179 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.712.14085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The phylogeny of the hydrophilid genus Sternolophus Solier, 1834 was examined in this study using 60 morphological adult characters, eight of them continuous and 52 discrete. The cladistic analysis resulted in a single most parsimonious tree with two major subclades corresponding, respectively, to species previously assigned to the subgenera Sternolophus s. str. Solier and Neosternolophus Zaitzev, although they are not re-instated. The species groups S. angolensis (Erichson, 1843) and S. solieri Castelnau, 1840 are recovered as monophyletic. The biogeography and diversification of the species of Sternolophus are briefly discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiva Nasserzadeh
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
-
Insect Taxonomy Research Department, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran
| | - Helen Alipanah
-
Insect Taxonomy Research Department, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Gilasian
-
Insect Taxonomy Research Department, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Arce-Pérez R, Morón MÁ. El género Hydrophilus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilina) en México y Centroamérica. REV MEX BIODIVERS 2013. [DOI: 10.7550/rmb.32113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
6
|
Mađarić BB, Stanković VM, Čorak L, Ugarković Đ, Komarek A. Contributions to molecular systematics of water scavenger beetles (Hydrophilidae, Coleoptera). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vlatka Mičetić Stanković
- Group for Systematic Zoology and Entomology; Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; University of Zagreb; Zagreb Croatia
| | - Luka Čorak
- Molecular Biology Department; Rudjer Bošković Institute; Zagreb Croatia
| | - Đurđica Ugarković
- Molecular Biology Department; Rudjer Bošković Institute; Zagreb Croatia
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Darılmaz MC, Kıyak S, Short AEZ. Discovery of the water scavenger beetle genus Brownephilus Mouchamps in Turkey (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Hydrophilini. Zookeys 2010:13-6. [PMID: 21594128 PMCID: PMC3088036 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.53.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently described Hydrochara major İncekara, Mart, Polat, & Karaca, 2009 from Turkey is transferred to the genus Brownephilus Mouchamps. New records and habitat information are given for the species, as well as diagnostic features for separating it from the only other described member of the genus, Brownephilus levantinus Balfour-Browne. The discovery of Brownephilus in Turkey marks the first time the lineage has been found since its original description more than seventy years ago.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa C Darılmaz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Aksaray University, TR-68100 Aksaray, Turkey
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fikáček M, Wedmann S, Schmied H. Diversification of the greater hydrophilines clade of giant water scavenger beetles dated back to the Middle Eocene (Coleoptera:Hydrophilidae:Hydrophilina). INVERTEBR SYST 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/is09042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Fossil representatives of the hydrophilid genera Hydrochara Berthold, 1827, Hydrobiomorpha Blackburn, 1888 and Hydrophilus Geoffroy, 1762 were recorded at the lower Middle Eocene locality Grube Messel in Germany. Four morphospecies were recognised, including Hydrobiomorpha eopalpalis, sp. nov. showing sexually dimorphic maxillary palpomere 2 unknown in any recent or fossil species of the genus. These fossils are the oldest known records of the mentioned genera and indicate a minimum age of 47 million years for the divergence of the Hydrobiomorpha and Hydrophilus clades. Based on these data, we assume that the diversification of the ‘greater hydrophilines’ clade predated the lower Middle Eocene. The fossil record of the subtribe Hydrophilina is briefly reviewed, the reasons of the scarcity or absence of some genera in the fossil record are discussed, and the paleoenviromental significance of the presented fossils is discussed.
Collapse
|