Digestion and excretion of nitrogen and carbohydrate by the cranefly larva Tipula paludosa (Diptera: Tipulidae)

The nitrogenous and carbohydrate components of ryegrass and faeces from larvae of Tipula paludosa Meigen, fed on ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), were compared. Proteins in ryegrass were efficiently digested and uric acid was the major nitrogenous excretory product. The alkaline midgut (pH 9.1) was considered to enhance the digestibility of hemicellulose, by removing inhibitory acetyl groups, and of cellulose by altering its crystallinity. T. paludosa larvae assimilated 50% of ryegrass cellulose, and 50% of an isolated ¹⁴C-labelled cellulose, whereas 86% of hemicellulose was digested.     

Bacteria Associated with the Gut Tract of Larval Stages of the Aquatic Cranefly Tipula abdominalis (Diptera; Tipulidae)

Scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and direct isolations were used to examine the distribution and diversity of bacteria in the gut tracts of larval stages of Tipula abdominalis. The animal had an enlarged hindgut which housed a diverse bacterial community in the lumen and directly attached to the gut wall. Distinct localization was noted, with the most dense and most diverse community anterior to the rectum. A distinct architecture of bacteria occurred in this region, characterized by a layering or a “weblike” array of filamentous bacteria overlying mats of bacteria closely associated with the gut wall. Although morphological diversity was high in the hindgut, filamentous bacteria were the dominant morphology observed. The attached microbiota, sloughed during ecdysis, recolonized to the same density and diversity observed before the molt. The majority of the isolatable bacterial types were facultatively anaerobic. The distinct localization and attached nature of the hindgut bacteria and the recolonization after each molt suggest they are indigenous to this region of the gut tract.     

Isolation of Polymer-Degrading Bacteria and Characterization of the Hindgut Bacterial Community from the Detritus-Feeding Larvae of Tipula abdominalis (Diptera: Tipulidae)

The Tipula abdominalis larval hindgut microbial community presumably facilitates digestion of the lignocellulosic diet. The microbial community was investigated through characterization of bacterial isolates and analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. This initial study revealed novel bacteria and provides a framework for future studies of this symbiosis.     

Isolation of polymer-degrading bacteria and characterization of the hindgut bacterial community from the detritus-feeding larvae of Tipula abdominalis (Diptera: Tipulidae)

The Tipula abdominalis larval hindgut microbial community presumably facilitates digestion of the lignocellulosic diet. The microbial community was investigated through characterization of bacterial isolates and analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. This initial study revealed novel bacteria and provides a framework for future studies of this symbiosis.     

Life budgets for a population of Tipula sacra (Diptera; Tipulidae)

Abstract.

• 1 A population of Tipula sacra was studied intensively from 1969 to 1974 in a series of abandoned beaver ponds. Beavers recolonized the ponds from 1974 to 1976 and again in 1978.
• 2 The basic life-cycle is of 2 years duration, but cohort-splitting occurs in the autumn as a result of some larvae growing faster and completing the life-cycle in 1 year.
• 3 Some periods are more favourable for growth than others and the size of the fast-growing cohort varies from year to year. This insight allows some anomalies in the estimates of population size to be explained and life budgets have been produced for three year-classes.
• 4 The short-fall in realization of egg potential is massive, apparently due to heavy female mortality by predation and the prevention of oviposition by inclement weather.
• 5 Mortality rate is relatively low and constant from stage II larvae until pupation, but increases to adult emergence. There is a correlation between larval density and mortality rate.
• 6 Certain aspects of the life-history (e.g. high fecundity, variability in growth rate) appear to fit the species to life in a temporally unstable habitat.

     

Analysis of cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzyme activity within the Tipula abdominalis (Diptera: Tipulidae) larval gut and characterization of Crocebacterium ilecola gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the Tipula abdominalis larval hindgut

Abstract In forested stream ecosystems of the north and eastern United States, larvae of the aquatic crane fly Tipula abdominalis are important shredders of leaf litter detritus. T. abdominalis larvae harbor a dense and diverse microbial community in their hindgut that may aide in the degradation of lignocellulose. In this study, the activities of cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes were demonstrated from hindgut extracts and from bacterial isolates using model sugar substrates. One of the bacterial isolates was further characterized as a member of the family Microbacteriaceae. Taxonomic position of the isolate within this family was determined by a polyphasic approach, as is commonly employed for the separation of genera within the family Microbacteriaceae. The bacterial isolate is Gram-type positive, motile, non-sporulating, and rod-shaped. The G + C content of the DNA is 64.9 mol%. The cell wall contains B2γ type peptidoglycan, D- and L-diaminobutyric acid as the diamino acid, and rhamnose as the predominant sugar. The predominant fatty acids are 12-methyltetradecanoic acid (ai-C_15:0) and 14-methylhexadecanoic acid (ai-C_17:0). The isolate forms a distinct lineage within the family Microbacteriaceae, as determined by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. We propose the name Crocebacterium ilecola gen. nov., sp. nov., to accommodate this bacterial isolate. The type species is T202^T (ATCC BAA-1359; GenBank Accession DQ826511).     

Two new species of Tipula (Lunatipula) Edwards (Diptera: Tipulidae) from Turkey

Two new species in the acuminata group of subgenus Tipula (Lunatipula), Tipula (Lunatipula) oosterbroeki sp. n. and T (L) jaroslavi sp. n., were described and illustrated from Southwest part of Asian Turkey.     

First record of the subgenus Tipula (Ramatipula) (Diptera,Tipulidae) from China,with description of two new species

The subgenus Ramatipula Alexander, 1971 of the genus Tipula is recorded for the first time in China. Two new species, Tipula (Ramatipula) dolabcorolla, sp. nov., and Tipula (Ramatipula) spathulata, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. A key to the species of Tipula (Ramatipula) from the world is presented.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:405A10AD-9C5E-4D81-A04B-403D96A286EC.     

Description and DNA barcoding of Tipula ( Pterelachisus) recondita sp. n. from the Palaearctic region (Diptera, Tipulidae)

Tipula (Pterelachisus) recondita Pilipenko & Salmela, sp. n. is described. The new species is collected from two localities: Finland, Kittilä (North boreal ecoregion) and Russia, Primorski kray (Zone of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests). Although variation in the structure of male hypopygium between the Finnish and Russian populations is observed, DNA barcode sequences differ only by three nucleotides (0.2 % K2P distance), supporting presence of one widespread species. K2P minimum distances between the new species and 17 other species of the subgenus range from 5.3 to 15.8 % (mean 8.8 %). The new species is forest-dwelling, known from an old-growth herb-rich forest (Finland) and Quercus mongolica forest (Russia). The new species is perhaps closest to Tipula (Pterelachisus) imitator Alexander and in lesser extent to Tipula (Pterelachisus) pauli Mannheims; the inner gonostylus of both species are illustrated.     

Differentiation between larvae of Tipula paludosa and Tipula oleracea (Diptera: Tipulidae) using isoelectric focusing, and their occurrence in grassland in northern Britain

Thin layer agarose isoelectric focusing (IEF) was used to separate proteins from the larvae of Tipula oleracea Linnaeus and Tipula paludosa Meigen (Diptera, Nematocera). Silver staining revealed protein banding patterns which consistently distinguished these two species at any stage in their life cycles. Within the pH range 5–6 Tipula paludosa contained one major protein band and T. oleracea two bands, with the pI value of the T. paludosa protein being slightly higher than those of T. oleracea. The IEF method is particularly useful for the larval stages of these species because they are often visually inseparable. Leather jackets obtained during a survey of Northern Ireland and north-eastern and western Scotland were tested to determine the distribution and frequency of these species occurring in grassland. In each area surveyed T. paludosa predominated with only one field in Northern Ireland and north-eastern Scotland found to contain T. oleracea. In western Scotland T. oleracea occurred in five fields each year of the survey, and was locally abundant on the Isle of Bute in the 1990/91 survey making up 15% of the total larvae tested.     

Revision of Tipula (Yamatotipula) stackelbergi Alexander (Diptera, Tipulidae), and a short discussion on subspecies among crane flies

All available type material of Tipula stackelbergi Alexander, Tipula usuriensis Alexander and Tipula subpruinosa Mannheims were examined. Tipula (Yamatotipula) stackelbergistat. rev. is elevated from a subspecies of Tipula (Yamatotipula) pruinosa Wiedemann to a valid species. Two new synonyms are proposed: Tipula usuriensissyn. n. proved to be a junior synonym of. Tipula (Yamatotipula) pruinosa and Tipula subpruinosasyn. n. a junior synonym of Tipula (Yamatotipula) freyana Lackschewitz. Tipula (Yamatotipula) stackelbergi is redescribed, male and female terminalia of Tipula (Yamatotipula) pruinosa are illustrated and discussed. Female terminalia of Tipula (Yamatotipula) freyana are described and illustrated for the first time. A key to both sexes of Tipula (Yamatotipula) stackelbergi and Tipula (Yamatotipula) pruinosa, and a key to females of Tipula (Yamatotipula) chonsaniana, Tipula (Yamatotipula) freyana and Tipula (Yamatotipula) moesta are provided. Subspecies are not uncommon among crane flies, but their ranges and traits are poorly known. An interdisciplinary approach (genetics, ecology, taxonomy) is suggested if subspecific ranks are to be used in tipuloid systematics.     

New species of subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) from China,with redescription of T. (S.) parvauricula and a key to all known species of the Oriental Region (Diptera,Tipulidae, Tipula)

Species of Tipula (Sivatipula) biprocessa sp. n. from Guangxi, China is described and illustrated as new in the subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) Alexander, 1964. Tipula (Sivatipula) parvauricula Alexander, 1941 is redescribed and illustrated based on additional morphological characters. Semen pump of this subgenus is discussed. A key to all described species in this group is compiled.     

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) against Tipula paludosa (Diptera: Tipulidae), a turfgrass pest on golf courses

The European crane fly (ECF), Tipula paludosa Meigen feeds on leaves, crowns, and roots of cool-season turfgrasses causing damage to residential lawns and golf courses. A laboratory study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of ECF larvae to four commercial entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species (Heterorhabditis marelatus, H. megidis, Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae). The virulence of four S. feltiae isolates recovered from golf courses in Quebec and Ontario were also compared to a commercial strain. LC₅₀ values of EPN against late instar ECF larvae were 152, 562, 763, and 3584 for S. feltiae, H. megidis, H. marelatus and S. carpocapsae, respectively. When non-feeding (without grass seedling), ECF larvae mortalities decreased for all nematode species and concentrations tested. At 25°C, LC₅₀ values for the two most virulent indigenous S. feltiae were 129 and 187 nematodes/larva, not different from the commercial strain. At 5°C, the commercial S. feltiae was more effective than both BIC14A and RE6A isolates against ECF larvae. However, at 15°C, BIC14A was the most virulent at the low concentration of 200 IJs/larva.     

The effect of soil flooding on the survival and development of the eggs of Tipula oleracea L. and T.paludosa Meigen (Diptera: Tipulidae)

A comparison is made of the survival and development of eggs of Tipula oleracea and T.paludosa, at certain temperatures, under water only or under water standing over soil. The significance the activity of the soil microflora and mechanical disturbance of the water is discussed.     

Feeding ecology of the freshwater detritivore Ptychoptera paludosa (Diptera, Nematocera)

1. We examined selected aspects of the nutritional ecology of larval Ptychoptera paludosa and their role in nutrient cycling in the Breitenbach, a first-order stream in Hesse, Germany.
2. Food preference experiments demonstrated significant preference for sediments with a high organic matter content and live bacteria.
3. pH was circumneutral in all sections of the gut.
4. Enzymatic activity (β-glucosidase and amino-peptidase) in different parts of the gut was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β- D -glucopyranoside (MUF-Glc) and leucine-4-methylcoumarinyl-7-amide (Leu-MCA). β-glucosidase activity was highest in the hindgut.
5. The mean larval gut passage time was between 7 and 8 h.
6. The egestion rate of last instar larvae was about 0.35 mg dry weight (DW) faeces per larva h^–1 and about 1.25 mg ash-free dry weight (AFDW) faeces per mg larval AFDW day^–1.
7. Larval faeces contained at least 4–18 times more organic matter than the average in the sediments in which they were feeding, that is, larvae fed selectively, extracting organic matter from sediments.
8. P. paludosa larvae are important in the dynamics of detritus in slow-flowing reaches of the Breitenbach. They gather organic material from the sediment to a depth of 3 cm, and release it as faeces onto the sediment surface. A total of 770 g DW faeces m^–2 yr^–1, comprising about 16% organic matter, was produced by the Ptychoptera population.     

The Tipulidae (Diptera) of northern Morocco with a focus on the Rif region,including the description of a new species of Tipula (Lunatipula) and an updated checklist for Morocco

An overview of the Tipulidae known to occur in northern Morocco with an emphasis on the Rif mountains is given, incorporating new distribution data based on recently collected material in the area. Dolichopeza (Dolichopeza) hispanica, Tipula (Lunatipula) subpustulata, and Tipula (Yamatotipula) afriberia afriberia are recorded for the first time for the Rif. Tipula (L.) stimulosa Mannheims, 1973 and T. (Vestiplex) vaillanti vaillanti Theowald, 1977 are reported for the first time for the Rif and Morocco. Tipula (Lunatipula) pseudocinerascens Strobl, 1906 and Tipula (Savtshenkia) confusa van der Wulp, 1883 are recorded for the first time for the Rif, Morocco and North Africa. A new species of the subgenus Lunatipula, T. (L.) pjotri n. sp., is described and illustrated. Nephrotoma exastigma, previously reported for the Rif, seems to be absent in Morocco. Reports of Tipula (Emodotipula) obscuriventris Strobl, 1900 for Morocco actually refer to T. (E.) leo. This brings the number of Tipulidae for Morocco to 39 species and for the Rif to 28. An updated checklist of the Tipulidae of Morocco is provided.     

Species of crane flies (Diptera,Tipulidae) new for Tuva and Russia

11 species of crane flies are recorded for Tuva for the first time, among them five are also new to the Russian fauna.