浙江蚊蝎蛉属一新种(长翅目,蚊蝎蛉科)

记述了产于中国浙江的蚊蝎蛉属Bittacus Latreille,1805 1新种,浙江蚊蝎蛉Bittacus zhejiangicus sp.nov.,提供了雄性正模成虫的整体照片,绘制了雄性和雌性外生殖器特征图。新种与中华蚊蝎蛉Bittacus sinensis Walker和天目山蚊蝎蛉B.tienmushana Cheng相似,但根据羽状触角,翅Av脉存在,前足腿节明显黑褐色,雄性上生殖瓣基部下缘大的耳状突起,载肛突末端有1小突起,突起上有1束长毛,生殖肢端节不具突起等特征容易区分。正模♂,采于浙江凤阳山七星潭;副模: 1♀,采于浙江泰顺乌岩岭; 1 ♂,采于浙江庆元百山祖。模式标本分存于西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆[NWAU]和上海昆虫博物馆[SHEM]。     

中国蚊蝎蛉属四新种记述(长翅目,蚊蝎蛉科)

记述了中国蚊蝎蛉属Bittacus Latreille 4新种,即暗蚊蝎蛉Bittacus obscurus sp.nov.,浅黄蚊蝎蛉Bittacusflavidus sp nov,长突蚊蝎蛉Bittacus longiprocessus sp.nov.和四边蚊蝎蛉Bittacus trapezoideus sp.nov..模式标本保存于西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆.     

米仓山蚊蝎蛉二新种记述(长翅目:蚊蝎蛉科)

记述陕西南部米仓山蚊蝎蛉2新种,净翅蚊蝎蛉Bittacus puripennatus Cai et Hua和缠绕蚊蝎蛉Bittacus implicatus Huang et Hua。模式标本均保存在西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆。     

扁蚊蝎蛉的行为学观察

通过室内饲养和观察,记述了扁蚊蝎蛉Bittacus planusCheng成虫捕食过程、雌雄交配和产卵行为。捕食过程分准备、捕捉、取食和清洁等4个步骤。观察到了雄虫的献礼行为,雌虫边取食边交配。存在有自相残杀行为。     

中国大巴山蚊蝎蛉属一新种(长翅目,蚊蝎蛉科)

记述采自中国大巴山的蚊蝎蛉属1新种,周氏蚊蝎蛉Bittacus Choui sp.nov.,模式标本保存于西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆,并通过人工饲养获得卵、幼虫和蛹等所有虫态,提供了成虫、卵、幼虫和蛹等虫态照片,绘制了雌雄外生殖器特征图,简要报道了新种的生物学和生活史.     

中华蚊蝎蛉成虫口器感器的超微结构

口器感器在昆虫取食活动中起着重要作用,但蚊蝎蛉成虫口器上感器的种类和形态迄今末见报道.我们利用扫描电子显微镜,观察了中华蚊蝎蛉Bittacus sinensis Walker成虫口器上的感器.结果显示:中华蚊蝎蛉口器上共有8种感器,分别为锥形、毛形、刺形、指形、掌状、钟形、柱状感器及BOhm氏鬃毛.主要集中于内唇、下颚...     

蝎蛉科与蚊蝎蛉科昆虫触角感器超微形态比较

触角是昆虫重要的感觉器官,其感觉功能主要是通过其上的各类感器来实现的。本文以染翅蝎蛉Sinopanorpa tincta(Nav偄s)和中华蚊蝎蛉Bittacus sinensis Walker为代表,采用扫描电子显微镜观察了蝎蛉科Panorpidae和蚊蝎蛉科Bittacidae触角感器的类型及其超微结构,并简要讨论了各种感器的功能。结果显示:染翅蝎蛉触角上共发现7种感器,分别为短刺形感器、Bhm氏鬃毛、毛形感器、短毛形感器、锥形感器、刺形感器、和微毛形感器。中华蚊蝎蛉触角上也发现7种感器,分别为Bhm氏鬃毛、芽形感器、毛形感器、刺形感器、畸形毛感器、腔锥感器和钟形感器。蚊蝎蛉触角与蝎蛉的最大区别是着生有大量的腔锥感器,初步推测众多的腔锥感器可能与蚊蝎蛉对湿度的高度敏感有关。     

淡黄蚊蝎蛉染色体特征及其系统发育意义

【目的】染色体特征在昆虫系统发育研究中起着重要作用。然而,长翅目(Mecoptera)蚊蝎蛉科(Bittacidae)昆虫的染色体研究却比较匮乏。【方法】通过室内饲养获得淡黄蚊蝎Bittacus flavidus Huang & Hua各龄幼虫、蛹和成虫。取淡黄蚊蝎雄性末龄(4龄)幼虫、蛹和新羽化成虫精巢细胞进行染色体制片,通过4′,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚(4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, DAPI)荧光染色,研究染色体核型、减数分裂行为和性别决定机制。【结果】结果表明,淡黄蚊蝎蛉的染色体数目为2n=26+X0,染色体均具有中着丝粒,核型高度对称。二价体绝对长度为(3.20±0.07)~(1.53±0.19) μm,相对长度为(5.31±0.29)~(2.73±0.24),均呈梯度变化。淡黄蚊蝎蛉的减数分裂为交叉型,其中核的平均交叉频率为11.5,二价体的平均交叉频率为0.88。性别决定机制为XX/X0型。DAPI荧光带型显示,粗线期二价体一端呈现高亮的AT富集区块。【结论】染色体特征(包括染色体数目、染色体臂基本数和核型公式等)在蚊蝎蛉科中表现出显著变异,表明染色体重排(尤其是融合、断裂和倒位)在蚊蝎蛉科昆虫的谱系分化和染色体演化中起着重要作用。     

长蝎蛉幼期形态附生物学记述

【目的】蝎蛉科(Panorpidae)是长翅目(Mecoptera)最大的科,是重要的生态指示昆虫。然而,由于对环境条件要求苛刻,饲养困难,其幼期研究很不充分。【方法】本研究通过人工饲养成虫获得了长蝎蛉Panorpa macrostyla Hua的卵、幼虫和蛹等全部虫态,运用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微技术观察了其超微形态,并简要记载了其生物学特性。【结果】长蝎蛉每年发生1代,成虫发生于6月末至8月初。卵椭球形,卵壳表面覆盖一层隆起的网状结构。幼虫蠋型,具3对分4节的胸足和8对不分节的腹足;头壳高度骨化,具1对由26个小眼组成的复眼和1对3节的触角,口器咀嚼式;腹部第1-9节背面具有成对的背毛突,第10节仅有1根背毛突,腹部末端具有一个可伸缩的吸盘;呼吸系统为周气门式,具1对前胸气门和8对腹气门。幼虫共4个龄期,以预蛹期在土室内越冬。蛹为强颚离蛹,外形接近成虫,雄蛹腹部末端膨大。【结论】基于幼虫形态特征,长蝎蛉明显区别于新蝎蛉属Neopanorpa、华蝎蛉属Sinopanorpa、双角蝎蛉属Dicerapanorpa以及单角蝎蛉属Cerapanorpa幼虫。然而,长蝎蛉幼虫头部刚毛L2和SO2,腹部末节刚毛D2,SD1和SD2端部均膨大呈棒状,与蝎蛉属Panorpa其他种类区别明显,表明长蝎蛉的属级地位需要进一步研究。     

中国东北晚侏罗世蝎蛉化石研究(长翅目:蚊蝎蛉科,直脉蝎蛉科)(英文)

本文描述蝎龄化石1新属4新种。新属Megabittacus2新种,即Megabittacuscolosseussp.nov.,Megabittacusbeipiaoensissp．nov,新种Sibirobittacusatalussp.nov.属于现生的蚊蝎蛉科,新种Orthophlebialiaoningensissp．nov．属于绝灭的直脉蝎蛉科。化石采于辽宁省北票市晚侏罗世义县组地层中。这些新的化石属种,其虫体特征包括触角、喙、足和翅脉特征均完整的保存。模式标本保存在中国地质博物馆。     

Allometry of the leg muscles of birds

The musculoskeletal components of the hindlimbs of 20 species of birds, considered non-runners, were examined. Allometry was used to compare these data with previously published information on the limbs of running birds. In non-runners the digital flexor muscle and tendon areas scaled approximately isometrically, in contrast to running birds where tendon areas had a lower exponent. Non-running birds had muscle fibre areas approximately half that of runners of equal mass. In both groups, the muscle:tendon area ratio for m. gastrocnemius increased as M^0.13, suggesting factors other than elastic energy storage are important. Runners exhibited relatively longer tibiotarsi and tarsometatarsi and shorter toes. With very few exceptions, the linear dimensions of bones, tendon cross-sectional areas, and muscle masses and fibre areas in the legs of the non-running birds scaled closely according to the requirements for geometric similarity, but the confidence limits are often wide. Deviations from geometric similarity in birds reflect differences in locomotor behaviours and abilities.     

In vivo motion of the rectus femoris muscle after tendon transfer surgery

Rectus femoris transfer surgery is performed to convert the rectus femoris muscle from a knee extensor to a knee flexor. In this surgery, the distal tendon of the rectus femoris is detached from the patella and reattached to one of the knee flexor tendons. The outcomes of this procedure are variable, and it is not known if the surgery successfully converts the muscle to a knee flexor. We measured the motion of muscle tissue within the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius during knee extension in 10 unimpaired control subjects (10 limbs) and 6 subjects (10 limbs) after rectus femoris transfer using cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Displacements of the vastus intermedius during knee extension were similar between control and tendon transfer subjects. In the control subjects, the rectus femoris muscle consistently moved in the direction of the knee extensors and displaced more than the vastus intermedius. The rectus femoris also moved in the direction of the knee extensors in the tendon transfer subjects; however, the transferred rectus femoris displaced less than the vastus intermedius. These results suggest that the rectus femoris is not converted to a knee flexor after its distal tendon is transferred to the posterior side of the knee, but its capacity for knee extension is diminished by the surgery.     

Architectural properties of distal forelimb muscles in horses,Equus caballus

Articular injuries in athletic horses are associated with large forces from ground impact and from muscular contraction. To accurately and noninvasively predict muscle and joint contact forces, a detailed model of musculoskeletal geometry and muscle architecture is required. Moreover, muscle architectural data can increase our understanding of the relationship between muscle structure and function in the equine distal forelimb. Muscle architectural data were collected from seven limbs obtained from five thoroughbred and thoroughbred-cross horses. Muscle belly rest length, tendon rest length, muscle volume, muscle fiber length, and pennation angle were measured for nine distal forelimb muscles. Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) was determined from muscle volume and muscle fiber length. The superficial and deep digital flexor muscles displayed markedly different muscle volumes (227 and 656 cm3, respectively), but their PCSAs were very similar due to a significant difference in muscle fiber length (i.e., the superficial digital flexor muscle had very short fibers, while those of the deep digital flexor muscle were relatively long). The ulnaris lateralis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles had short fibers (17.4 and 18.3 mm, respectively). These actuators were strong (peak isometric force, Fmax=5,814 and 4,017 N, respectively) and stiff (tendon rest length to muscle fiber length, LT:LMF=5.3 and 2.1, respectively), and are probably well adapted to stabilizing the carpus during the stance phase of gait. In contrast, the flexor carpi radialis muscle displayed long fibers (89.7 mm), low peak isometric force (Fmax=555 N), and high stiffness (LT:LMF=1.6). Due to its long fibers and low Fmax, flexor carpi radialis appears to be better adapted to flexion and extension of the limb during the swing phase of gait than to stabilization of the carpus during stance. Including muscle architectural parameters in a musculoskeletal model of the equine distal forelimb may lead to more realistic estimates not only of the magnitudes of muscle forces, but also of the distribution of forces among the muscles crossing any given joint.     

The neuromuscular compartments of the flexor carpi ulnaris

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Report on the vascular supply and innervation pattern of the flexor carpi ulnaris. 2. Describe the muscle architecture of the flexor carpi ulnaris, including the physiological cross-sectional area and fiber length. 3. State the uses of the flexor carpi ulnaris both for resurfacing defects in the vicinity of the elbow and in local functional tendon transfers. 4. Understand the principles of splitting skeletal muscles based on neurovascular supply to enhance its utilization in reconstructive procedures. The aim of this study was to describe the intramuscular innervation and vascular supply of the human flexor carpi ulnaris, with confirmation of findings by a similar study in the primate. Two distinct intramuscular nerve branches running parallel to each other, on either side of a central tendon, from the proximal quarter of the muscle belly to its insertion were found. The muscle could then be split into a humeral and an ulnar compartment, each with its own primary nerve branch. Perfusion studies confirmed the adequacy of circulation to the two compartments. In the primate flexor carpi ulnaris, electrical stimulation of the respective branches revealed independent contraction of each compartment. This study provides useful information for enabling the local transfer of the muscle as a whole, both for resurfacing in the vicinity of the elbow and for functional tendon transfers. It will also enable the transfer of the muscle as one or two separate compartments (for resurfacing, in tendon transfers for muscle paralysis, congenital defects, and muscle defects resulting from trauma, and after resections for neoplasm and infection).     

Effect of muscle contraction levels on the force-length relationship of the human Achilles tendon during lengthening of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit

Findings from animal experiments are sometimes contradictory to the idea that the tendon structure is a simple elastic spring in series with muscle fibers, and suggest influence of muscle contraction on the tendon mechanical properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of muscle contraction levels on the force-length relationship of the human Achilles tendon during lengthening of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit. For seven subjects, ankle dorsiflexion was performed without (passive condition) and with contraction of plantar flexor muscles (eccentric conditions, at 3 contraction levels) on an isokinetic dynamometer. Deformation of the Achilles tendon during each trial was measured using ultrasonography. The Achilles tendon force corresponding to the tendon elongation of 10mm in the passive condition was significantly smaller than those in the eccentric conditions (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Within the eccentric conditions, the Achilles tendon force corresponding to the tendon elongation of 10mm was significantly greater in the maximal contraction level than those in submaximal eccentric conditions (p<0.05 or p<0.01). In addition, the tendon stiffness was greater in higher contraction levels (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Present results suggest that the human tendon structure is not a simple elastic spring in series with muscle fibers.     

Comparative anatomy of rabbit and human achilles tendons with magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging

We sought to describe the comparative anatomy of the Achilles tendon in rabbits and humans by using macroscopic observation, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography. The calcaneus-Achilles tendon-gastrocnemius-soleus complexes from 18 New Zealand white rabbits underwent ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and gross anatomic sectioning; these results were compared with those from a cadaveric gastrocnemius-soleus-Achilles tendon-calcaneus specimen from a 68-y-old human male. The medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle tendons merged 5.2 +/- 0.6 mm proximal to the calcaneal insertion macroscopically, at 93% of their course, different from the gastrocnemius human tendons, which merged at 23% of their overall course. The rabbit flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, corresponding to the flexor digitorum longus tendon in human and comparable in size with the gastrocnemius tendons, was located medial and anterior to the medial gastrocnemius tendon proximally and rotated dorsally and laterally to run posterior to the Achilles tendon-calcaneus insertion. In humans, the flexor digitorum longus tendon tracks posteriorly to the medial malleolus. The soleus muscle and tendon are negligible in the rabbit; these particular comparative anatomic features in the rabbit were confirmed on the MR images. Therefore the rabbit Achilles tendon shows distinctive gross anatomical and MR imaging features that must be considered when using the rabbit as a research model, especially for mechanical testing, or when generalizing results from rabbits to humans.     

Fluid collection within the synovial sheath of the tendon of the flexor hallus longus muscle in the tarsal joint of rats: an anatomic variant detectable with magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the right tarsal joint of 22 normal male Han:Wistar rats were acquired using a 4.7 T magnet. An intermediate-high signal area associated with the tendon of the flexor hallus longus muscle was noticed in three rats on T2-weighted images. These areas appeared as an intermediate-high signal on lightly T2-weighted images, but appeared as an iso-signal to muscle structure on proton density weighted images. Histology preparations showed that such areas were caused by a sizable fluid collection within the synovial sheath of the tendon of the flexor hallus longus muscle, with all other joint structures appearing normal. This anatomic variant could be potentially regarded as a lesion on T2-weighted MR images, such as inflamed tissue with oedema, especially when the spatial resolution and/or signal-to-noise ratio are not optimal.     

Middle phalanx skeletal morphology in the hand: Can it predict flexor tendon size and attachments?

Specific sites on the palmar diaphysis of the manual middle phalanges provide attachment for the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon. It has been assumed in the literature that lateral palmar fossae on these bones reflect locations for these attachments and offer evidence for relative size of the flexor tendon. This assumption has led to predictions about relative FDS muscle force potential from sizes of fossae on fossil hominin middle phalanges. Inferences about locomotor capabilities of fossil hominins in turn have been drawn from the predicted force potential of the flexor muscle. The study reported here provides a critical first step in evaluating hypotheses about behavioral implications of middle phalangeal morphology in fossil hominins, by testing the hypothesis that the lateral fossae reflect the size of the FDS tendon and the location of the terminal FDS tendon attachments on the middle phalanx. The middle phalangeal region was dissected in 43 individuals from 16 primate genera, including humans. Qualitative observations were made of tendon attachment locations relative to the lateral fossae. Length measurements of the fossae were tested as predictors of FDS tendon cross-sectional area and of FDS attachment tendon lengths. Our results lead to the conclusion that the hypothesis must be rejected, and that future attention should focus on functional implications of the palmar median bar associated with the lateral fossae.     

On the evolution of raptorial legs – an insect example (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae)

The presence of chelate and subchelate fore legs in Phymatinae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), or ambush bugs, provides a unique opportunity to study the evolution of different types of raptorial legs in a closely related group of arthropods. Themonocorini have simple, possibly raptorial legs, Phymatini and Macrocephalini distinct subchelate fore legs, and the charismatic Carcinocorini are the only insects with a chelate fore leg apart from female dryinid Chysidoidea (Hymenoptera). Relationships between the four phymatine tribes are here analyzed in a cladistic framework thus permitting testable hypotheses on the evolution of raptorial legs. The presented analysis of phymatine tribal level relationships is based on a dataset comprising 11 species of Phymatinae and 54 non‐phymatine Reduviidae and Heteroptera. The molecular data set consists of ～3500 MAFFT aligned bases of 16S, 28S D2–D3, and 18S ribosomal genes. Parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses resulted in identical topologies for the ingroup with the relationships Themonocorini + (Phymatini + (Carcinocorini + Macrocephalini)) receiving high support values. Eleven morphological characters, eight of them derived from fore leg morphology, were optimized on the parsimony analysis. These optimizations indicate that the ancestral ambush bug had a simple raptorial leg; that size reduction of the tarsus, enlargement of the femur, curvature of the fore tibia, armature of tibia and femur with rows of tiny tubercles that allow for gripping of a prey insect, and the large process on the ventral surface of the femur arose in the common ancestor of Carcinocorini + Macrocephalini + Phymatini. The chelate leg in Carcinocorini is likely derived from a subchelate precursor similar to the one seen in recent Macrocephalini and may have evolved through elongation of the ventral, proximal portion of the fore femur and modification of the median process to form part of the digitus fixus. © The Willi Hennig Society 2010.     

Structural modifications involved in the fore- and hind limb grip of some flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

A mechanism which enables flying foxes to lock their hind limb digits and thumbs in flexion is described. The deep digital tendons of the hind limbs have roughened fibrocartilage surfaces. The adjacent flexor tendon sheath supports ridges which interact with the rough tendon surface, temporarily 'locking' the two structures together. This tendon locking mechanism is of importance as it enables bats to reduce the energetic cost of hanging from branches. It does this by reducing, or eliminating, the need for digital flexor muscle activity.