Traits and evolution of wing venation pattern in paraneopteran insects

Two different patterns of wing venation are currently supposed to be present in each of the three orders of Paraneoptera. This is unlikely compared with the situation in other insects where only one pattern exists per order. We propose for all Paraneoptera a new and unique interpretation of wing venation pattern, assuming that the convex cubitus anterior gets fused with the common stem of median and radial veins at or very near to wing base, after separation from concave cubitus posterior, and re‐emerges more distally from R + M stem. Thereafter, the vein between concave cubitus posterior and CuA is a specialized crossvein called “cua‐cup,” proximally concave and distally convex. We show that despite some variations, that is, cua‐cup can vary from absent to hypertrophic; CuA can re‐emerge together with M or not, or even completely disappear, this new interpretation explains all situations among all fossil and recent paraneopteran lineages. We propose that the characters “CuA fused in a common stem with R and M”and “presence of specialized crossvein cua‐cup” are venation apomorphies that support the monophyly of the Paraneoptera. In the light of these characters, we reinterpret several Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic fossils that were ascribed to Paraneoptera, and confirm the attribution of several to this superorder as well as possible attribution of Zygopsocidae (Zygopsocus permianus Tillyard, 1935) as oldest Psocodea. We discuss the situation in extinct Hypoperlida and Miomoptera, suggesting that both orders could well be polyphyletic, with taxa related to Archaeorthoptera, Paraneoptera, or even Holometabola. The Carboniferous Protoprosbolidae is resurrected and retransferred into the Paraneoptera. The genus Lithoscytina is restored. The miomopteran Eodelopterum priscum Schmidt, 1962 is newly revised and considered as a fern pinnule. In addition, the new paraneopteran Bruayaphis oudardi gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described fromthe Upper Carboniferous of France (see Supporting Information). J. Morphol., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Evidence for Carboniferous origin of the order Mantodea (Insecta: Dictyoptera) gained from forewing morphology

Homologies of the forewing venation pattern of the order Mantodea (Insecta: Dictyoptera) consistent with the accepted insect wing venation groundplan are proposed. A comparative morphological analysis was carried out based on a broad taxonomic sample of extant taxa. Besides macromorphological aspects, focus is given to the pattern of the tracheal system as a basis for establishing primary homologies. All extant praying mantids exhibit a composite stem composed of the posterior radius (RP) and the media (M) and most praying mantids exhibit a fusion of the anterior branch of RP + M with the anterior radius (RA). The wing venation of the species ?Mesoptilus dolloi, previously assigned to the polyphyletic fossil assemblage ‘Protorthoptera’, is re‐interpreted in the light of the new homology statement. Our interpretation suggests that it is a putative stem‐Mantodea, as are some other ‘protorthopterous’ taxa. This hypothesis implies that the total‐group Mantodea arose as soon as the Late Carboniferous, i.e. about 175 million years earlier than previously estimated. This analysis contributes to the view that most of the Late Carboniferous ‘Protorthoptera’ are stem‐representatives of the major polyneopteran clades (e.g. cockroaches, grasshoppers and crickets, rock‐crawlers), suggesting a survivorship of several main Pterygota lineages at the end‐Permian extinction event higher than previously expected. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 79–113.     

Structure of the female reproductive system of the lac insect,Kerria chinensis (Sternorrhyncha,Coccoidea: Kerridae)

The ovaries of female lac insects, Kerria chinensis Mahd (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerridae), at the last nymphal stage are composed of several balloon‐like clusters of cystocytes with different sizes. Each cluster consists of several clusters of cystocytes arranging in rosette forms. At the adult stage, the pair of ovaries consists of about 600 ovarioles of the telotrophic‐meroistic type. An unusual feature when considering most scale insects is that the lateral oviducts are highly branched, each with a number of short ovarioles. Each ovariole is subdivided into an anterior trophic chamber (tropharium) containing six or seven large trophocytes and a posterior vitellarium harbouring one oocyte which is connected with the trophic chamber via a nutritive cord. No terminal filament is present. Late‐stage adult females show synchronized development of the ovarioles, while in undernourished females, a small proportion of ovarioles proceed to maturity.     

Guyiling jianboni gen. et sp.n., an antlion‐like lacewing,illuminating homologies and transformations in Neuroptera wing venation

A new genus and species of antlion‐like fossil lacewing, Guyiling jianboni gen. et sp.n. (Insecta: Neuroptera) are described based on a single specimen from the Yixian Formation (Liaoning Province, China; Early Cretaceous). The new taxon exhibits derived traits such as distally dilated antennae and well‐developed anterior Banksian line (known in Myrmeleontidae), but also genuine plesiomorphies (at the level of Myrmeleontiformia), such as the divergence of a distinct CuA1 stem from MP2 + CuA1 (forewing), and a basal origin of MA (diverging from RP + MA; both wing pairs). This combination is unique among the ‘Palaeoleontidae’, a group better considered as a paraphyletic assemblage of various stem‐Myrmeleontiformia. The wing morphology of the new species is considered in the light of a survey of wing venation topological homologies (and implied transformations) among several Neuroptera families. The survey includes a revision of the holotype of Leptolingia jurassica Ren (Grammolingiidae; Jiulongshan Formation, Daohugou locality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; middle Jurassic). The forewing morphology of Guyiling jianboni gen. et sp.n. demonstrates that the fusion of MP2 with CuA, and the differentiation of CuA into two distinct main stems (namely CuA1 and CuA2) are traits shared with Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae (and possibly Nemopteridae). However, the survey also demonstrates that a fusion of MP2 with CuA occurred repeatedly among Neuropterida, although by means of various modalities (namely translocation vs regular fusion). The ‘pectinate fusion’ of CuA(1) with MP2 [i.e. CuA1 has no distinct stem and emits successive branches from MP2 + CuA(1) partim] is a further step in this fusion, and occurred repeatedly as well (at least in the hind wings of Osmylidae and Nymphidae, and both fore‐ and hindwings of a sub‐group of Myrmeleontiformia including Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae, and possibly Nemopteridae). It is anticipated that the current contribution will constitute useful background information for further studies, focusing on particular transformation cases, ideally including a documentation of intraspecific variation.     

Spinicaudatans and ostracods (Crustacea) from the Montceau Lagerstätte (Late Carboniferous, France): morphology and palaeoenvironmental significance

Spinicaudatans and ostracods form two components of the diverse arthropod fauna from the Montceau Lagerstätte (Stephanian, France). Spinicaudatans are represented by Montcestheria orri gen. and sp. nov. and Euestheria feysi sp. nov., and ostracods by a single species, Carbonita sp. aff. salteriana (Jones, 1862). Allied forms such as Montcestheria sp. aff. orri, Montcestheria sp. and Euestheria cebennensis (Grand'Eury, 1890), all from coeval localities in France, are also described. Montcestheria gen. nov. has carapace features, external (possibly sexual) dimorphism, preserved soft parts (e.g. appendages, gut) and resting eggs similar to those of Recent spinicaudatans, suggesting comparable lifestyles, reproductive strategies and feeding modes. Detailed anatomical comparisons are made with Cyzicus tetracerus from Recent ephemeral freshwater ponds. The ostracods belong to the Superfamily Carbonitoidea, which is a recurrent component of Carboniferous non‐marine biotas. Spinicaudatan‐rich assemblages typically occur in several Westphalian–Stephanian Lagerstätten (including Montceau) and localities from Europe and North America, where freshwater conditions prevailed, indicating that the group had already colonized continental waters by the Late Carboniferous. Similarities with the fauna from Recent temporary freshwater ponds (e.g. low diversity/high density spinicaudatan‐ostracod populations, synchronous spinicaudatan populations developing from resting eggs, high diversity/low density insects, amphibians) suggest the presence of temporary or ephemeral aquatic environments at Montceau as part of a complex limnic ecosystem. Flooding may have been the main driving force by which faunal and floral elements drifted away from their respective biotopes into the depositional areas, thus explaining the co‐occurrence of terrestrial (e.g. myriapods, scorpions, plants), amphibian and aquatic (e.g. conchostracans and syncarids from temporary and permanent settings, respectively) elements in fossil assemblages.     

SALMFamide2 and serotonin immunoreactivity in the nervous system of some acoels (Xenacoelomorpha)

Acoel worms are simple, often microscopic animals with direct development, a multiciliated epidermis, a statocyst, and a digestive parenchyma instead of a gut epithelium. Morphological characters of acoels have been notoriously difficult to interpret due to their relative scarcity. The nervous system is one of the most accessible and widely used comparative features in acoels, which have a so‐called commissural brain without capsule and several major longitudinal neurite bundles. Here, we use the selective binding properties of a neuropeptide antibody raised in echinoderms (SALMFamide2, or S2), and a commercial antibody against serotonin (5‐HT) to provide additional characters of the acoel nervous system. We have prepared whole‐mount immunofluorescent stainings of three acoel species: Symsagittifera psammophila (Convolutidae), Aphanostoma pisae, and the model acoel Isodiametra pulchra (both Isodiametridae). The commissural brain of all three acoels is delimited anteriorly by the ventral anterior commissure, and posteriorly by the dorsal posterior commissure. The dorsal anterior commissure is situated between the ventral anterior commissure and the dorsal posterior commissure, while the statocyst lies between dorsal anterior and dorsal posterior commissure. S2 and serotonin do not co‐localise, and they follow similar patterns to each other within an animal. In particular, S2, but not 5‐HT, stains a prominent commissure posterior to the main (dorsal) posterior commissure. We have for the first time observed a closed posterior loop of the main neurite bundles in S. psammophila for both the amidergic and the serotonergic nervous system. In I. pulchra, the lateral neurite bundles also form a posterior loop in our serotonergic nervous system stainings.     

Antennal heart morphology supports relationship of Zoraptera with polyneopteran insects

The antennal hearts of the zorapteran Zorotypus hubbardi and of two psocopteran species (Caecilius sp., Embidopsocus sp.) are described in detail and compared to those of other insects. In Zorotypus, the ampullae of this organ are located dorsally of the antennal base. They are attached to the frontal cuticle of the head capsule and laterally suspended by two delicate bands of connective tissue. The associated muscles comprise a well‐developed M. interampullaris and a M. ampulloaortica, which together act as dilators of the ampullae. The connected antennal vessel has a very thin wall and is uniform along its entire length. In the two studied psocopterans the ampullae are likewise connected to the head capsule and have two additional elastic bands. In Caecilius sp. the anterior band is muscular, while in Embidopsocus sp. it is the posterior one. The psocopteran antennal hearts have no additional musculature. Antennal hearts with a musculature configuration resembling that of Zoraptera are known only from Dictyoptera, Phasmatodea and some orthopterans. This condition thus might be a synapomorphy of a polyneopteran subgroup including Zoraptera.     

Diet of sympatrically breeding Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides and White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides

The Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides and White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides are insectivore, cavity-nesting bird species, both of which occur in the Zambezi Region, north-eastern Namibia. I examined there the diet composition of these species by an analysis of prey remnants. The Southern Carmine Bee-eater chick's diet consisted of exclusively insects, represented by seven orders. The most numerous were orthopterans and beetles (40.9% and 26.1%, respectively; n = 582 prey items). Hymenopterans (18.7%) and bugs (12.9%) supplemented the diet, whereas dragonflies (Odonata) and moths (Lepidoptera) were preyed only occasionally. In the diet of the White-fronted Bee-eater, nesting at the same site, beetles were the most important prey (81.2% of all 101 prey items identified), with scarabaeids comprising more than half of the beetle diet. In comparison with the White-fronted Bee-eater, a lower proportion of beetles, but much larger proportion of orthopterans were recorded in the diet of the Southern Carmine Bee-eater. In both bee-eater species, hymenopterans appear to be less important than was expected. The essential difference in the proportion of main prey groups recorded in Southern Carmine and White-fronted Bee-eaters breeding at the same site may represent a shift in food niche due to both temporal segregation in breeding, and differences in food preferences (feeding sites).     

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.     

Systematic position of Triplosoba,hitherto the oldest mayfly,from Upper Carboniferous of Commentry in Central France (Insecta: Palaeodictyopterida)

A revision of the holotype of Triplosoba pulchella (Brongniart, 1883), the ‘oldest mayfly’, provides evidence for new attribution to Palaeodictyopterida sensu Bechly. New character states derived from the venation pattern, namely the basal connection of the median anterior with the radius and radius posterior in the forewing, the median anterior remote from the radius posterior and basally fused with the median posterior in the hindwing, and a strong costal margin formed by two connected or fused veins with a series of small spines (costa and subcosta anterior), support an ordinal placement of Triplosoba into Palaeodictyopterida (inclusive of Diphanopterodea sensu Bechly) versus Ephemeroptera as supposed by previous authors. It shares with Diaphanopterodea a potential synapomorphy in the presence of long curved connections between the three stems of the radius, media, and cubitus in the basal part of the forewing, a character not present in other groups of Palaeodictyopterida.     

Comparative analysis of the circulatory system in Amphipoda (Malacostraca, Crustacea)

We present data on the haemolymph vascular system (HVS) in four representatives of the major amphipod lineages Gammaridea, Hyperiidea and Caprellidea based on corrosion casting and three‐dimensional reconstructions of histological semi‐thin sections. In all these species the HVS comprises a dorsal pulsatile heart, which is continued in the body axis by the anterior and posterior aortae. The heart is equipped with three pairs of incurrent ostia. The number of cardiac arteries that lead off the heart varies among species: in the studied Gammaridea four pairs occur, in Hyperia galba only the three posterior pairs of cardiac arteries occur, while in Caprella mutica cardiac arteries are absent. In all the studied species the posterior aorta leads as a simple tube into the pleon attached to the dorsal diaphragm. The anterior aorta runs from its origin in the anterior part of the second thoracic segment into the cephalothorax. Both pairs of antennae have an arterial supply off the anterior aorta. An overview of previously studied species including our present findings shows the amphipod HVS to be relatively uniform and the gammarid form is discussed as being closest to the ground pattern of Amphipoda.     

Digestive proteolysis organization in two closely related Tenebrionid beetles: red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum)

The spectra of Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum larval digestive peptidases were characterized with respect to the spatial organization of protein digestion in the midgut. The pH of midgut contents in both species increased from 5.6–6.0 in the anterior to 7.0–7.5 in the posterior midgut. However, the pH optimum of the total proteolytic activity of the gut extract from either insect was pH 4.1. Approximately 80% of the total proteolytic activity was in the anterior and 20% in the posterior midgut of either insect when evaluated in buffers simulating the pH and reducing conditions characteristic for each midgut section. The general peptidase activity of gut extracts from either insect in pH 5.6 buffer was mostly due to cysteine peptidases. In the weakly alkaline conditions of the posterior midgut, the serine peptidase contribution was 31 and 41% in T. castaneum and T. confusum, respectively. A postelectrophoretic peptidase activity assay with gelatin also revealed the important contribution of cysteine peptidases in protein digestion in both Tribolium species. The use of a postelectrophoretic activity assay with p‐nitroanilide substrates and specific inhibitors revealed a set of cysteine and serine endopeptidases, 8 and 10 for T. castaneum, and 7 and 9 for T. confusum, respectively. Serine peptidases included trypsin‐, chymotrypsin‐, and elastase‐like enzymes, the latter being for the first time reported in Tenebrionid insects. These data support a complex system of protein digestion in the Tribolium midgut with the fundamental role of cysteine peptidases. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A new species of Centromochlus (Siluriformes,Auchenipteridae, Centromochlinae) from the middle Rio Tocantins basin,Brazil

A new species of the catfish genus Centromochlus (Auchenipteridae, Centromochlinae) is described. The new species is diagnosed by having numerous dark rounded blotches over the body and fins, dorsal‐fin spine with serrations anteriorly and smooth posteriorly, anal fin of mature males with three unbranched and seven branched rays, anterior nuchal plate absent and posterior nuchal plate not extended ventrally. The new species is described from a small stream in the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral de Tocantins, a natural reserve in the centre of the Brazilian Cerrado, close to the watershed between the Rio Tocantins and the Rio São Francisco basins. The new species is possibly the sister taxon to the recently described Centromochlus meridionalis from the upper Rio Tapajós. Those two species share with Centromochlus perugiae, from the upper Amazon and upper Paraguay, derived features associated with the modified anal fin in sexually mature males.     

Oviductal morphology and egg shelling in the oviparous lizards Crotaphytus collaris and Eumeces obsoletus

Morphological changes occurring in the oviduct and epithelial cells of the lizards Crotaphytus collaris and Eumeces obsoletus during the natural reproductive cycle were examined and quantified. Additionally, development of the eggshell at different stages of gravidity was described. The anterior uterus of each species has a distinct glandular type which differs between species: in E. obsoletus, the glands are tubular and in C. collaris, branched saccular. The branched saccular glands in the anterior uterus of C. collaris produce collagen-like material that forms the fibers of the shell membranes. However, fibers from the eggshell of E. obsoletus did not stain for collagen. The shell of both species is composed of a multilayered inner boundary covered externally by fibers of varying thickness. Initial layers are composed of thick fibers all lying along the same general axis. Outer layers of fibers are progressively thinner and an external surface layer composed of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is also present. In C. collaris, calcium, which is deposited in relatively small amounts on the shell surface, appears to be secreted by the epithelium of the anterior uterus. The nonciliated secretory epithelial cells covering the villi-like folds of the posterior infundibulum secrete GAGs. Epithelial cell height of the infundibular villi is greatest during early gravidity. A functional relationship may exist between luteal activity and oviductal secretory activity because the activity of the glandular epithelium varied as gravidity progressed.     

中国锯天牛族后翅翅脉研究(鞘翅目,天牛科,锯天牛亚科,锯天牛族)(英文)

对中国锯天牛族的后翅基部关节和后翅翅脉特征进行了研究,发现利用Kukalová-Peck和Lawrence (2004)的后翅命名系统能够很好地对中国锯天牛族后翅翅脉进行命名。但是在中国锯天牛族中,后中脉( MP)和前肘脉(CuA)在后缘并不合并;当前臀脉( AA3)和前肘脉(CuA3 +4)与后肘脉(CuP)相遇时,前臀脉(AA3)消失,前肘脉(CuA3 +4)和后肘脉(CuP)合并,因此楔室(W)仅由肘脉(Cu)的分支脉围成。尽管基部翅关节在研究的各属和各种之间没有表现出差异,但是后翅翅脉在土天牛属Dorysthenes和锯天牛属Prionus不同种类之间差异明显,这些特征包括径室的长宽比例和各边的长度关系、r3存在与否及其长度、后径脉的长度、楔室的长宽比例、以及后中脉(MP3 +4)和前肘脉(CuA3 +4)端部是否分叉等。因此,后翅翅脉特征在土天牛属Dorysthenes和锯天牛属Prionus分种时可能具有分类学意义。     

THE ANATOMY OF THE PISTILLATE INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWER OF CASUARINA VERTICILLATA LAMARCK (CASUARINACEAE)

The pistillate inflorescence of Casuarina verticillata is described as consisting of a primary axis bearing whorls of bracts with a cymule in the axil of each bract of the more central whorls. Each cymule consists of an atepallate, two-carpellate, syncarpous floret and two, lateral, once-lobed bracteoles. A “peripheral intercalary” meristem, in which divisions are primarily periclinal, forms a meshwork beneath the bracts from early development and moves the connate bracts centrifugally around the cymules and extends and binds the bracts, and to some extent the bracteoles, of the fertile part of the inflorescence together. Each bract receives a single trace; each cymule receives two traces. Each bundle extension of a cymule trace supplies: 1) a branch which joins its counterpart to become the anterior common carpellary bundle; 2) a second branch which joins its counterpart to become the posterior common carpellary bundle; and 3) a central branch which supplies a lateral bracteole. Within each floret, each common carpellary bundle provides a dorsal carpellary bundle, two ventral carpellary bundles (fertile anterior carpel) or one common ventral bundle (sterile posterior carpel). The ventral bundle-supplies join and form a single placental bundle which lies in the gynoecial septum, and which, in turn, supplies the two ovules in the anterior carpel. Whether the inflorescence is a simple racemose or a condensed cymose type cannot be determined from this species alone. The function of the sclerenchymatous, enclosing bracteoles and connate bracts is discussed.     

Revision of Iquius nipponicus Jordan 1919 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Miocene of Iki Island, Nagasaki, Japan and its phylogenetic position

Iquius nipponicus Jordan 1919 was described on the basis of a single specimen from the Miocene of Iki Island, Nagasaki, Japan, and was tentatively assigned to the family Clupeidae. The holotype consists of the anterior portion of the body (lacking the anal and caudal fins and most of the caudal vertebrae), and is re-examined. The species is re-described based on additional specimens from the type locality. This species possesses an extremely stout third dorsal spine-like fin ray with a smooth posterior edge, an expanded anterior portion of the maxilla covering approximately half of the bone, 13 branched anal fin rays, and 22 abdominal and 16 caudal vertebrae. A phylogenetic study using the character matrix from a previous study suggests that the species forms a clade with xenocyprinins, but it differs from xenocyprinins in the form of the maxilla and the dentary and the numbers of branched anal fin rays and vertebrae. The present study concludes that the genus Iquius does not belong to the family Clupeidae. Iquius is a distinct and valid genus that is closely related to cultrins and xenocyprinins of the family Cyprinidae.     

Morphological organization of abdominal colour patterns in pyrrhocorid bugs (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha)

Postembryonic development of abdominal colour patterns, both epidermal pigmentation and cuticular melanization, of two model species, Pynhocoris apterus and Dysdercus cingulatus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is analysed with the aim of revealing morphological regularities involved in colour-pattern organization. This analysis is supplemented with a comparative study of diversity of colour patterns among 90 species of the Pyrrhocoridae. Comparison of both these approaches suggests that epidermal and cuticular patterns are ontogenetically independent of each other; that the ventral cuticular melanization is paired and respects boundaries delineated by epidermal pigmentation; that the dorsal cuticular melanization is unpaired and does not respect epidermal-colour boundaries; that the adult cuticular melanization develops almost independently of the larval one; and that the anterior and posterior regions of different segments are developmentally (and also evolutionarily) more tightly correlated than anterior and posterior parts of the same segment. These regularities are then compared with data concerning intrasegmental patterning of Drosophila and other insects.     

Lodetiella magnifica nov. gen. and nov. sp. (Insecta: Palaeodictyoptera; Permian), an extreme situation in wing morphology of palaeopterous insects

Based on published data and review of Mecynoptera splendida Handlirsch, 1904, a wing venation ground plan applicable to most taxa of the Palaeozoic superorder Palaeodictyopteroidea is proposed, where each major vein system has a simple anterior sector, and, primitively, a dichotomously branched posterior sector. Lodetiella magnifica nov. gen. and sp. is described, based on an isolated hind wing from the Salagou Formation (Middle to Late Permian; Hérault, France). The venation of Lodetiella magnifica conforms to the predicted ground plan, but differs by its simple posterior cubitus sector. This character is diagnostic of the family Calvertiellidae (Palaeodictyoptera), whose diagnosis is updated. Wing movement in flight is inferred from the peculiar wing vein organization of Lodetiella magnifica. Some ecological preferences might explain the relative rarity of calvertiellids in the fossil record.     

Feeding behavior of Geoffroy's marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest fragment of South-eastern Brazil

We report on the diet and feeding behaviour of a group of Geoffroy's marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest fragment in south-eastern Brazil, studied during the period February 1993 to Januaray 1994. Major food categories were gums (68.6%) fruits (15%), and small animal prey (invertebrates 14.6% and vertebrates 0.8%). Dietary changes were observed between the wet and dry seasons, although they were not statistically significant. Insects and gums were consumed throughout the year but fruits were more prevalent in the diet in the wet season. Plant species exploited for their gums includedInga stipularis, followed byAcacia paniculata, Paulinia carpopodia, andBauhinia angulosa. Chemical analysis of the gum of the four species most used all presented high values for carbohydrates and crude proteins. Fruits of an unidentified species of Myrtaceae (sp. 2) were consumed the most. Animal prey consisted mainly of insects, arachnids, snails, and in three cases, lizards and frogs, with orthopterans being the most prevalent insect prey. This study demonstrates thatC. geoffroyi efficiently exploits resources typically available in secondary and disturbed forest habitat. The main threat to the species is forest destruction, degradation, and fragmentation, but the management of small forest fragments may be an effective corservation strategy.