Ultrastructural investigation of a salivary gland in a centipede: structure and origin of the maxilla I-gland of Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda, Notostigmophora)

The maxilla I-gland of Scutigera coleoptrata was investigated using light and electron microscopy methods. This is the first ultrastructural investigation of a salivary gland in Chilopoda. The paired gland opens via the hypopharynx into the foregut and extends up to the third trunk segment. The gland is of irregular shape and consists of numerous acini consisting of several gland units. The secretion is released into an arborescent duct system. Each acinus consists of multiple of glandular units. The units are composed of three cell types: secretory cells, a single intermediary cell, and canal cells. The pear-shaped secretory cell is invaginated distally, forming an extracellular reservoir lined with microvilli, into which the secretion is released. The intermediary cell forms a conducting canal and connects the secretory cell with the canal cell. Proximally, the intermediary cell bears microvilli, whereas the distal part is covered with a distinct cuticle. The cuticle is a continuation of the cuticle of the canal cells. This investigation shows that the structure of the glandular units of the salivary maxilla I-gland is comparable to that of the glandular units of epidermal glands. Thus, it is likely that in Chilopoda salivary glands and epidermal glands share the same ground pattern. It is likely that in compound acinar glands a multiplication of secretory and duct cells has taken place, whereas the number of intermediary cells remains constant. The increase in the number of salivary acini leads to a shifting of the secretory elements away from the epidermis, deep into the head. Comparative investigations of the different head glands provide important characters for the reconstruction of myriapod phylogeny and the relationships of Myriapoda and Hexapoda.     

低等六足动物系统学研究进展

低等六足动物包括原尾纲、弹尾纲和双尾纲三个类群,是探讨六足动物起源和进化问题的关键类群,近十年来成为节肢动物系统进化研究中的焦点之一。低等六足动物的系统发育地位以及它们之间的关系一直是备受争论的问题。通过介绍三类低等六足动物最新的分类系统,从经典分类学和系统发育两个方面对低等六足动物近十年来的研究进展进行了综述。迄今,对于三类低等六足动物都建立了比较完备的分类体系,原尾纲划分为3目10科,弹尾纲划分为4目30科,双尾纲划分为2亚目3总科10科。系统发育研究中,大多数的系统发育分析结果不支持传统的缺尾类假说,缺尾纲应摒弃不用。分子数据分析的结果普遍支持原尾纲与双尾纲近缘,但仍需要进一步探讨。线粒体基因组、比较胚胎学和比较精子学的研究结果表明,原尾纲可能经历了长期的趋异进化历史。最近的比较精子学研究支持了双尾纲的单系性。总之,三类低等六足动物系统学研究均取得了长足的发展,但仍然存在诸如研究人员匮乏和研究水平不均衡等问题。系统发育研究中,分子系统学研究成为关注的焦点,而基于核基因和线粒体基因的数据分别建立的系统发育假说存在分歧,亟需开发更优的数据分析方法。此外,需加强低等六足动物比较形态学、比较胚胎学、发育生物学等方面的研究,以便将来进行全证据的系统发育研究。     

有关节肢动物分类的几个问题

本文简要讨论了近年来有关节肢动物特别是昆虫高级分类研究中争论较大的几个关键问题,包括节肢动物的分类基础、“单肢亚门Ｕｎｉｒａｍｉａ”的单系性、六足总纲的单系性及昆虫纲（狭义）Ｉｎｓｅｃｔａ ｓ．ｓｔｒ．的范围等,以期引起我国动物学者的注意与重视。     

Circulatory organs of abdominal appendages in primitive insects (Hexapoda: Archaeognatha, Zygentoma and Ephemeroptera)

The abdominal circulatory organs and the haemolymph supply of the terminal filament and the cerci were investigated in a total of nine species (serial semithin sections, TEM, in vivo observations). In all investigated species, the dorsal vessel features a bidirectional flow. In the 10th abdominal segment, there is an intracardiac valve preventing flow in the anterior direction. The posterior portion of the dorsal vessel differs significantly from the anterior portion in design and wall structure. Pumping actions and frequencies do not correspond with each other in the two portions. Vessels supply haemolymph to the long terminal appendages. The terminal filament vessel is connected to the dorsal vessel, the two cercal vessels originate from a transverse septum at the base of the terminal filament. All taxa show the same flow pattern through the caudal appendages. Ephemeroptera have a unique spherical body at the posterior end of the dorsal vessel functioning as a backflow valve. The results indicate that the plesiomorphic state of the circulatory organs in the abdomen of primitive insects differ distinctly from that of higher insects which serve as bases for generalized schemes common to entomological textbooks.     

Checklist of the springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) of Turkey

A checklist of the species of springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) hitherto recorded from Turkey is presented. This list contains 53 species belonging to 39 genera in 13 families. The diversity of Collembola in Turkey is poorly known and it is clear that numerous species wait to be discovered.     

Explaining global insect species richness: lessons from a decade of macroevolutionary entomology

The last 10 years have seen more research on insect macroevolution than all the previous years combined. Here, I summarize and criticise the claims that have been made by comparative phylogenetic and fossil studies, and identify some future opportunities. We know the fossil record and phylogeny of insects much better than we did 10 years ago. We cannot simply ascribe the richness of insects, or their subtaxa, to either age or diversification rate. There is evidence that fossil family richness peaked much earlier than previously suspected. Phylogenetic evidence, however, suggests that species‐level net diversification rates are accelerating, though this is highly variable across taxa, implying ongoing changes in global taxonomic composition. Although there is evidence that wings and metamorphosis have had some macroevolutionary effects, the most definitive broad phylogenetic study does not suggest that they directly elevated net diversification of species. There is little evidence that insect body size influences net diversification rate. Compared to other phyla, arthropod richness, of which insects comprise the major part, is best explained by non‐marine habit, presence of parasitic lifestyles, a skeleton, vision, and dioecy. Herbivory cannot yet robustly be said to increase diversification over other diets across all insects: there are contrary analyses, and effects differ in different taxa. Many phylogenetic studies now document how it sometimes does: from co‐speciation, to diffuse co‐evolution with host shifting. The last decade has shown that climate change and biogeographic processes are likely important in generating or limiting insect diversification, but there is a need for greater statistical rigour in such studies. There is also a need to understand the validity of some widely used statistical methods better, and to make better use of the data and methods that exist. Macroevolutionary entomology could greatly benefit from online data integration platforms to facilitate analyses of broader scope.     

Ultrastructural investigation of the vesicular glands in Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda,Notostigmophora)

In the notostigmophoran centipedes, two pairs of vesicular glands have evolved. These paired glands are situated in the first and second trunk segment and open via cuticular ducts in the upper part of the particular pleura. The vesicular glands of Scutigera coleoptrata were investigated using light and, for the first time, electron microscopical methods. The glands consist of wide sac‐like cavities that often appear vesicular. The epithelia of both glands are identically structured and consist of numerous glandular units. Each of these units consists of four different cells: a single secretory cell, a small intermediary cell, and one proximal and one distal canal cell. The intermediary cell forms a conducting canal and connects the secretory cell with the canal cells. Proximally, the intermediary cell bears microvilli, whereas the distal part is covered with a distinct cuticle. The cuticle is a continuation of the cuticle of the canal cells. This investigation shows that the ultrastructure of glandular units of the vesicular glands is comparable to that of the glandular units of other epidermal glands in Chilopoda and Diplopoda, although the glands look completely different in the light microscope. Thus, it is likely that the vesicular glands and epidermal glands share the same ground pattern. With regard to specific differences in the cuticular lining of the intermediary cells, a common origin of epidermal glands in Myriapoda and Hexapoda is not supported. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Surviving out in the cold: Antarctic endemic invertebrates and their refugia

Aim To identify Antarctic palaeoendemic taxa and their probable glacial refugia from regional groups of endemic species records. Location Antarctica. Methods We compiled a list of Antarctic non‐marine invertebrates from published literature, and then deleted all records relating to non‐endemic, zoochoric (phoretic and parasitic), marine and partially identified species to leave only the elements endemic to Antarctica. We then used cluster analysis and principal components analysis to identify regional groupings within this endemic fauna. Results Some 170+ of the reported 520+ Antarctic invertebrates are free‐living and endemic, but only nine of these are pan‐Antarctic, with the majority having either ‘continental’/eastern or ‘maritime’/western distributions. Main conclusions All invertebrates endemic to continental Antarctica are confined to, or found adjacent to, ice‐free palaeorefugial mountains, nunataks and coastal exposures. By contrast, only one maritime Antarctic palaeorefugium has been identified, and most endemic taxa are currently associated with coastal lowland neorefugia. We suggest which regions of Antarctica (1) are likely to be refugial, and (2) simply require more data in order that the nature and origin of their fauna can be elucidated.     

六足总纲系统发育研究进展与新分类系统

简要综述了昆虫分纲、分目的历史变化,包括昆虫分目多少的变化,昆虫是纲级还是总纲级阶元的变化,昆虫各目分类地位系统排列的变化以及六足总纲系统发育研究进展。根据近10年来形态特征与分子测序数据相结合的系统发育研究,整理出六足总纲与系统发育支序分析相一致的分类系统,对昆虫35目的分类运用了10个分类阶元。在此基础上,删减次要分类阶元,提出简明分类系统,既反映每个高级分类单元的单系性,明晰各目的共祖近度,又减少了分类阶元层次,方便各分类单元的识别与鉴定。六足总纲Hexapoda分为4纲:原尾纲Protura(包括蚖目Acerentomata、华蚖目Sinentomata、古蚖目Eosentomata),弹尾纲Collembola(包括弹尾目Collembola),双尾纲Diplura(包括双尾目Diplura),昆虫纲Insecta。昆虫纲分为单髁亚纲SubclassMonocondylia(包括石蛃目Archaeognatha)与双髁亚纲SubclassDicondylia。双髁亚纲分为衣鱼部DivisionZygentoma(包括衣鱼目Zygentoma)与有翅部DivisionPterygota。有翅部分为10个总目、27目。