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Acal DA, Sulikowska-Drozd A, Jaskuła R. Filling the gaps in ecology of tropical tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae): first quantitative data of sexual dimorphism in semi-arboreal Therates from the Philippine biodiversity hotspot. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16956. [PMID: 38495761 PMCID: PMC10944163 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual dimorphism, driven by sexual selection, leads to varied morphological distinctions in male and female insects, providing insights into selection pressures across species. However, research on the morphometric variability within specific taxa of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), particularly arboreal and semi-arboreal species, remains very limited. Methods We investigate sexual dimorphism in six semi-arboreal Therates tiger beetle taxa from the Philippines, focusing on morphological traits. We employed morphometric measurements and multivariate analyses to reveal patterns of sexual dimorphism between sexes within the taxa. Results Our results indicate significant sexual dimorphism in elytra width, with females consistently displaying broader elytra, potentially enhancing fecundity. Notable sexual size dimorphism was observed in Therates fulvipennis bidentatus and T. coracinus coracinus, suggesting heightened sexual selection pressures on male body size. Ecological factors, mating behavior, and female mate choice might contribute to the observed morphological variation. These findings emphasize the need for further studies to comprehend mating dynamics, mate choice, and ecological influences on morphological variations in semi-arboreal and arboreal tiger beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale Ann Acal
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Anna Sulikowska-Drozd
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Radomir Jaskuła
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
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Schmidt J, Scholz S, Wiesner J, Will K. MicroCT data provide evidence correcting the previous misidentification of an Eocene amber beetle (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) as an extant species. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14743. [PMID: 37679371 PMCID: PMC10484930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The fossil record suggests some insect species have a marked longevity. The oldest fossils purported to represent extant insect species are from the Oligocene and Eocene. One of the most cited fossils is the extant tiger beetle Tetracha carolina (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) that was identified over a century ago by Walther Horn in Eocene Baltic amber. We examined this and compared it to the previously described cincindelid Baltic amber fossil Palaeoiresina cassolai using X-ray microscopy and 3D imaging techniques. We conclude that Horn's fossil tiger beetle specimen is conspecific with the Eocene P. cassolai and is a member of an extinct stem group lineage of Cicindelidae. Based on a review of all the tiger beetle fossils described from Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits, we found that the assignment of these fossil species to extant lineages is not supported. There are currently no synapomorphies known from fossils that can provide evidence for Cretaceous Manticorni or Megacephalini nor is there evidence for Eocene Iresina. We provide evidence that rejects the idea of a recent beetle species persisting since the Eocene period, which is crucial for using the currently known fossil Cicindelidae species to calibrate divergence dating of beetle phylogenies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Schmidt
- Institute of Biosciences, General and Systematic Zoology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Stephan Scholz
- Institute of Biosciences, General and Systematic Zoology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Kipling Will
- Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
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Roggero A, Giachino PM, Casale A, Allegro G, Fiorito A, Palestrini C. Combination of Morphometric and Morphological Analyses: An Effective Approach for the Study of Platynus from the Italian W Alps (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Platynini). DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15040493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
In the W Italian Alps, an area characterized by considerable environmental complexity, the widespread Platynus were studied by focusing on their species composition. The ecological niche realized by the genus in this area encompasses a preference for humid and cold environments, sometimes associated with altitude. Several specimens from private and public collections were investigated by geometric morphometrics, a powerful technique capable of detecting even minor morphological variation. The quantitative analysis was paired to a qualitative survey of anatomical traits. To classify and discriminate species, external traits (head, pronotum, right elytron) and internal structures (male and female genitalia, mouthparts) were evaluated by direct examination and dissection. The results supported the presence of the five species already known from the study area and also helped to identify four new cryptic taxa to which the specific rank was assigned. They are herein described as Platynus maritimus n. sp., Platynus occitanus n. sp., Platynus simonisi n. sp., and Platynus vignai n. sp.
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Design of Structural Parameters of Cutters for Tea Harvest Based on Biomimetic Methodology. Appl Bionics Biomech 2021; 2021:8798299. [PMID: 34335873 PMCID: PMC8324377 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8798299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to their sharp teeth, crickets can eat through new shoots of the stalks of tea plants. Inspired by the special geometrical structure of the teeth of crickets, this study designed a biomimetic cutter to reduce the force and energy required to cut the stalks of tea plants. Therefore, four biomimetic cutters were considered: a, b, c, and d. Cutter a was a traditional cutter used for comparison with the other three cutters, which were biomimetic. The cutters were manufactured using 3D printing technology and assessed by a texture tester at different loading speeds (5, 10, and 15 mm/s, respectively). The results show that cutter c delivered better performance compared to cutter a at loading speeds of 5, 10, and 15 mm/s, respectively. However, at 15 mm/s loading speed, the maximum cutting forces required for cutters b and c were 9.43% and 6.04% lower, respectively, than that for cutter a (9.021 N). Similarly, the energies consumed by cutters b and c were 13.8% and 4.24% lower than that consumed by cutter a (1.225 J). In addition, cutter c delivered the best results compared to others. Based on the study results, it was concluded that the biomimetic cutters can thus help to optimize the tea harvest.
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Morphology and Material Composition of the Mouthparts of Stromatium unicolor Olivier 1795 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) for Bionic Application. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11070715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Research Highlights: The novelty of this study is the deep analysis of the morphologic, geometric and mechanical performance of longhorn beetle larvae mouthparts. Furthermore, a metal nano identification of jaw reinforced parts was made. Background and Objectives: Analysis of insect mechanical properties has shown an important application in the develop of bionic technologies such as new materials, industrial machines and structural concepts. This study aims to determine the mechanical and geometric properties of longhorn beetle (Stromatium unicolor Olivier 1795) larvae mouthparts to improve the development of innovative cutting tools. In addition, this study obtains a nano identification of metals in the cuticle of the mouthparts, which will enable the development of new nontoxic and sustainable preservation agents against xylophagous insects based on nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: five third-larval-stage samples of Stromatium unicolor were used to study its mandible morphologic, geometric and mechanical properties. To this end, mouthparts were analyzed by several microscopic techniques using a scanning electron microscope, a stereomicroscope and an optical microscope. Composition analysis was performed using with two Analytical-Inca X-ray detectors, dispersive energy spectroscopy and dispersive wavelength spectroscopy. Results: The main geometric parameters of the insect jaw are the edge angle (β = 77.3°), maximum path depth of the insect (120 μm), length (800 µm) and mouthpart movement, which were identified and measured. The chemical analysis results of the jaw tissues shows the presence of zinc and manganese. Conclusions: The geometry and angles of the mouthparts can be applied in the fabrication of bionic self-sharpening cutting tools. Molecular compounds that form the reinforcing elements in the jaws can be used to develop wood preservatives based on nanometals and metal absorption and metabolism inhibitors.
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Morphology of mouthparts poorly resolves the phylogeny of Sericini chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). ZOOL ANZ 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Functional morphology of the mouthparts of lady beetle Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with reference to their feeding mechanism. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-019-00474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Hao YN, Sun YX, Liu CZ. Functional morphology of the mouthparts of lady beetle Coccinella transversoguttata (Coccinellidae, Coleoptera), with reference to their feeding mechanism. J Morphol 2019; 280:701-711. [PMID: 30901106 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The lady beetle Coccinella transversoguttata is an important biocontrol agent of aphids. As the main the feeding apparatus, mouthparts play essential roles in feeding process, and the morphological variation of mouthparts is correlated with variation in food source and feeding behavior. To better understand the feeding behavior of C. transversoguttata, we studied the functional morphology of mouthparts, with special attention to the fine morphology of each part of mouthpart and various kinds of sensilla. The mouthpart of C. transversoguttata is typical mandibulate type that composed of labrum, mandible, maxillae, labium, and hypopharynx. Detailed descriptions were given about the fine morphology of each part, and various types of sensilla were identified and classified. In total, two types of sensilla chaetica, four types of sensilla basiconica, two types of sensilla styloconica, two types of sensilla placodea, and one type of cuticular pore were identified according to their length, morphology and distribution. Specially, the putative function of each part of mouthpart as well as each kind of sensilla and their coordinative mechanisms in feeding process were discussed. These results would lay a solid foundation for understanding the feeding mechanism of lady beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Hao
- Biocontrol Engineering Laboratory of Crop Diseases and Pests of Gansu Province, College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Xing Sun
- Biocontrol Engineering Laboratory of Crop Diseases and Pests of Gansu Province, College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chang-Zhong Liu
- Biocontrol Engineering Laboratory of Crop Diseases and Pests of Gansu Province, College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Vesović N, Ivanović A, Ćurčić S. Sexual size and shape dimorphism in two ground beetle taxa, Carabus (Procrustes) coriaceus cerisyi and C. (Morphocarabus) kollari praecellens (Coleoptera: Carabidae) - A geometric morphometric approach. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2019; 49:1-9. [PMID: 30710632 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We investigated morphometric variation in size and shape of the head, pronotum, and abdomen between the taxa and sexes of two ground beetles, Carabus coriaceus cerisyi Dejean, 1826 and C. kollari praecellens Palliardi, 1825. These two taxa differ in overall size, and both of them are characterized by significant sexual size dimorphism. In many taxa, allometry, the relationship between changes in shape and changes in size, can be a major component of intra- and interspecific variation in body shape. In the present study, we applied landmark-based geometric morphometrics to explore allometric and non-allometric components of shape variation between the taxa and more importantly between sexes within the taxa. We were able to show that the differences of shape between the taxa cannot be explained by allometric changes, as allometry explains only a small amount of total shape variation between the taxa, which was expected due to the fact that the taxa belong to separate subgenera. Between the sexes, on the other hand, allometry contributes largely to the variation, particularly in abdomen shape. However, the differences of head and pronotum shape between the sexes cannot be entirely explained in terms of allometric scaling. Our results indicate that allometry contributes largely to differences of body shape between the sexes, while differences between the taxa are influenced by other factors and processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Vesović
- Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Ana Ivanović
- Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Srećko Ćurčić
- Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
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López-Cubillos S, Sarmiento CE. A mandible arresting system in neotropical social wasps (Vespidae; Polistinae): structural diversity within homogeneous functionality. Naturwissenschaften 2013; 100:429-35. [PMID: 23568094 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-013-1041-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2012] [Revised: 02/09/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Microtrichia are epidermal protuberances that may serve as temporary adhesive devices. Several insects possess these structures; however, they have not previously been reported in social wasps. With scanning electron microscopy, we characterize the shape and abundance of microtrichia in ten species of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) and three species of related taxa (Vespidae: Eumeninae, Pompilidae, and Scoliidae). Semi-thin sections of the head of Leipomeles spilogastra and Apoica albimacula were also studied. We found microtrichia on a thin, flexible membrane connected to the mandible in all the Vespidae specimens. The flexible membrane can be divided into three regions: the basal region that covers the mandibular mesial emargination, the medial region located around the height of the mandibular condyles, and the distal region that appears anterior to the apodeme folding. Basal and distal regions of the membrane are extensively covered by microtrichia while the medial region has either less microtrichia or is entirely devoid of them. The shape and density of the microtrichia differed between species, and these traits are unrelated with nest material construction or phylogenetic closeness. We propose that the microtrichial membrane described is a passive mechanism to keep the wasps' mandibles retracted through a mechanical interlocking system. It is possible that this energy-saving mechanism is present in other mandibulate insects.
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Dos Santos GIM. On immature and adult forms of Trichognathus marginipennis Latreille, 1829 (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Galeritini). Zookeys 2012:45-62. [PMID: 22933849 PMCID: PMC3428703 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.212.2705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The pupa of Trichognathus marginipennis Latreille, 1829 is described for the first time and the adult is redescribed. Habitus and important structures of larva, pupa and adult are illustrated. This work improves the knowledge on immatures and adults of Trichognathus marginipennis.
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