Morphology and identification of the final instar nymphs of three cicadas (Hemiptera,Cicadidae) in Guanzhong Plain,China based on comparative morphometrics

The present investigation provides comparative morphometrics of the final instar nymphs of three dominant cicada species, i.e., Cryptotympana atrata (Fabricius), Meimuna mongolica (Distant) and Platypleura kaempferi (Fabricius), in Guanzhong Plain, China. Particularly, characters on the antennae, legs, and apex of abdomen of both males and females of these three species were investigated and analyzed. In addition, the numbers of hind tibial spines of the final instar nymphs of 21 representatives of Cicadoidea were compared. The results provide useful characteristics for nymph identification of related species and for further taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of Cicadoidea.     

Behavioural and phylogeographic observations on Epipomponia nawai (Dyer, 1904): An East Asian moth (Lepidoptera; Epipyropidae) whose larvae are ectoparasitic on cicadas (Hemiptera; Cicadidae; Sonatini)

The lepidopteran family of the Epipyropidae contains currently 32 known species of moths with larvae that are parasitic on plant and leafhoppers as well as cicadas. This paper focuses on behavioural aspects of the final instar of the cicada parasite Epipomponia nawai (Dyer 1904) on the cicada Hyalessa maculaticollis (de Motschulsky 1866) and represents only the second report of the species from South Korea. This species is a new host for E. nawai in Korea, since in the past it had only been reported once from Meimuna opalifera and Oncotympana fuscata in Korea. Molecular relationships between specimens of E. nawai collected in China, Japan, and Korea were analysed. The Chinese haplotypes fell into two groups: one clearly related to the Korean haplotype, but the other tightly affiliated with the Japanese haplotype. The findings suggest two routes for the occurrence of E. nawai in mainland China. Once the host cicada was dead or too weak to move, the caterpillar crawled away from it, seeking a place to pupate. Very little is known about parasitic Lepidoptera and therefore any information on host species or behavioural aspects is of importance.     

蒙古寒蝉成、若虫触角形态及若虫龄期判别研究（半翅目：蝉科）

对蒙古寒蝉若虫与成虫的触角感器进行了研究,并结合不同龄期若虫触角的形态特征,采用Dyar法则与“头宽—龄期”的回归曲线验证,初步断定蒙古寒蝉若虫具有4个龄期。不同龄期若虫与成虫的触角形态差异显著,触角感器的种类、数量和分布也明显不同,其差异或与若虫和成虫的生态位不同密切相关。     

Asymmetric song responses in coexisting Japanese cicadas

Diel partitioning of singing, which has been observed from the tropics to the temperate regions, is among the various mechanisms of sound partitioning found in multispecies cicada assemblages and is regarded as an important mechanism of coexistence. Using playback experiments, we studied interspecific interference between two Japanese cicadas, Cryptotympana facialis and Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata, which exhibit similar peak frequencies in their calling songs and different diel patterns of song activity. We found that the males of the two species had different song response patterns: C. facialis responded significantly more to conspecific calling songs than G. nigrofuscata. These results suggest that male C. facialis have evolved more intense conspecific song recognition than G. nigrofuscata. This may cause male G. nigrofuscata to avoid destructive acoustic interference during their active singing time.     

Difference in the responses of male cicada Meimuna opalifera to the two parts of conspecific calling song

Meimuna opalifera males emit extremely complex calling songs, with the main section comprising two parts. To investigate whether these two parts of the calling song have different meanings for the receivers, we conducted playback experiments. We counted and compared the number of response calls when different types of sound stimuli were presented under laboratory conditions. Meimuna opalifera males emitted significantly greater response calls during the playback of stimuli containing the former part of the songs than those containing the latter part only. This suggests that M. opalifera males tend to respond by detecting characteristics in the former part of the songs. Because the peak frequencies were similar between the former and the latter parts, the temporal patterns of the songs might be important in short-range communication between males of M. opalifera.     

Morphological comparison and DNA barcoding of four closely related species in the genera Misgurnus and Paramisgurnus (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

To evaluate the feasibility of morphological and genetic identification of the closely related species in the genera Misgurnus and Paramisgurnus, the morphological characters of four species in these genera and DNA barcoding of five loaches (P. dabryanus, M. anguillicaudatus, M. bipartitus, M. mohoity, and Barbatula toni) were investigated. Twelve morphological characters were measured in 542 individuals to perform the comparative analysis. Among these characters, only the caudal peduncle length (L_CP) revealed significant difference (P < 0.05) among these four species. The clustering based on morphological characters formed two clusters (P. dabryanus and M. anguillicaudatus; M. bipartitus and M. mohoity). A total of 186 COI fragments for the five loaches investigated were sequenced and analyzed. The results showed that interspecific K2P distance was much higher than intraspecific distance within the five species. Bayesian inference of phylogeny showed that individuals of these species were divided into five specific clades. Meanwhile, the COI fragments exhibited 22 character attributes for the differentiation of the five loach species based on character-based method. Our results suggested that DNA barcoding based on COI can be used as an efficient identifier of these five loach species; the combination of distance-based method, Bayesian inference and character-based approach provides higher resolution of identification at species level.     

Diapause and prolonged development in the embryo and their ecological significance in two cicadas, Cryptotympana facialis and Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata

The seasonal timing mechanism of egg hatching was examined in two cicadas, Cryptotympana facialis and Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata, with different but overlapping geographical distributions. These species lay eggs in summer, and nymphs hatch in the summer of the following year after egg durations of 10-12 months. When eggs were maintained at 25 °C from oviposition, both the species entered embryonic diapause within 60 days irrespective of photoperiod, but at different developmental stages between the two species. The optimal temperature for diapause development was approximately 15 °C in both the species. The development rate for postdiapause morphogenesis increased linearly with temperature in the range of 20-27.5 °C in C. facialis, and of 15-25 °C in G. nigrofuscata. The lower development threshold and the sum of effective temperatures were computed as 14.3 °C and 715.3 day-degrees in C. facialis and 12.1 °C and 566.6 day-degrees in G. nigrofuscata, respectively. The hatching dates predicted by these large thermal constants accorded with the hatching dates observed in the field, i.e., late June and mid-July in G. nigrofuscata and C. facialis, respectively. Therefore, the high thermal requirements for postdiapause development compel the cicadas to hatch in summer.     

A new sexually dimorphic mantidfly species of Allomantispa Liu et al., 2015 from China (Neuroptera: Mantispidae)

Allomantispa Liu et al., 2015 is the only extant genus of the mantidfly subfamily Drepanicinae from Eurasia, being endemic to the Oriental region. It currently consists of only two species from southeastern Tibet and northern Myanmar, respectively. Here we describe a new species of this rarely observed mantidfly genus, namely Allomantispa coniprocessa sp. nov. from Yunnan, China. Interestingly, the new species displays distinctive sexual dimorphic characters on the pronotum. The molecular identification reveals obvious genetic divergence between the allopatric individuals of the new species. Their morphological variations are illustrated and compared. In addition, some characters with taxonomic or phylogenetic significance present on the pronotum, the abdomen and the genitalia in Allomantispa are also discussed. Our finding updates the morphological and distributional information on Allomantispa and implies a more diverse fauna of this genus in the Oriental region than previously assumed.     

A revision and phylogenetic analysis of Stoiba Spaeth?1909 (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Stoiba Spaeth, 1909 is revised with a phylogenetic analysis of 38 adult morphological characters for nine Stoiba species and 11 outgroup species (Mesomphaliini, Ischyrosonychini, and Hemisphaerotini). Four Cuban species of Stoiba were not sampled. Parsimony analysis located the four most parsimonious trees. The strict consensus (CI=0.59, RI=0.78, Steps=83) resolved the monophyly of Stoiba. The monophyly of Stoiba is supported by pale yellow antennae, antennomere VII broader than its length, and rounded basal line of pronotum. An illustrated key to ten species of Stoiba is provided along with a distribution map of 11 species. Stoiba rufa Blake is synonymized with Stoiba swartzii (Thunberg) by a morphological comparison which includes female genitalia.     

Influence of cuticle nanostructuring on the wetting behaviour/states on cicada wings

The nanoscale protrusions of different morphologies on wing surfaces of four cicada species were examined under an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The water contact angles (CAs) of the wing surfaces were measured along with droplet adhesion values using a high-sensitivity microelectromechanical balance system. The water CA and adhesive force measurements obtained were found to relate to the nanostructuring differences of the four species. The adhesive forces in combination with the Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel approximations were used to predict wetting states of the insect wing cuticles. The more disordered and inhomogeneous surface of the species Leptopsalta bifuscata demonstrated a Wenzel type wetting state or an intermediate state of spreading and imbibition with a CA of 81.3° and high adhesive force of 149.5 μN. Three other species (Cryptotympana atrata, Meimuna opalifer and Aola bindusara) exhibited nanostructuring of the form of conically shaped protrusions, which were spherically capped. These surfaces presented a range of high adhesional values; however, the CAs were highly hydrophobic (C. atrata and A. bindusara) and in some cases close to superhydrophobic (M. opalifer). The wetting states of A. bindusara, C. atrata and M. opalifer (based on adhesion and CAs) are most likely represented by the transitional region between the Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel approximations to varying degrees.     

Cellular and potential molecular mechanisms underlying transovarial transmission of the obligate symbiont Sulcia in cicadas

Vertical transmission of symbionts in insects is critical to persistence of symbioses across host generations. The key time point and related cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission in most insects remain unclear. Here, we reveal that in the bacteriome–endosymbiont system of the cicada Meimuna mongolica, the obligate symbiont Candidatus Sulcia muelleri (hereafter Sulcia) proliferates and migrates to the ovaries mainly after the adult emergence of cicadas. Sulcia cells swell to approximately twice their previous size with the outer membrane changed to be more irregular during this process. Almost all the Sulcia genes involved in biosynthesis of essential amino acids, heat shock protein, energy metabolism, DNA replication and repair and protein export were highly expressed in all life stages of cicadas. Among which, genes involved in DNA replication and synthesis of leucine and arginine were upregulated in the newly emerged adults relative to fifth-instar nymphs. Signal transduction is the pronounced function exhibited in both Sulcia and the cicada bacteriomes in newly emerged adults. The results suggest host sensing of arginine and leucine integrate Sulcia's output of host-EAAs into mTORC1 signalling. This study highlights the importance of signalling pathways in regulating the host/symbiont interaction and symbiont transmission in sap-feeding auchenorrhynchous insects.     

Pollen morphology of Campanula (Campanulaceae) and allied genera in Iran with special focus on its systematic implication

Pollen grains of 47 taxa of Campanulaceae including 35 taxa of Campanula that represent its five subgenera and nine sections are investigated. Moreover, five species and three subspecies representing three sections in Asyneuma and one species of each genera Legousia, Michauxia, Zeugandra and Theodorovia were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The basic shape of the pollen grains was spheroidal. The apertures vary from tri- to hexa-porate. The sculpturing pattern of exine was rugulate-echinate, rugulate-microechinate or in few species rugulate-microreticulate and microechinate. The most valuable characters for subgeneric classification were the length and density of echini. The length of echini were significantly long (> 2 μm) in C. sclerotricha, Legousia falcata and Michauxia laevigata. Pollen grains show low variation in different species of subgen. Rapunculus, but were variable among different species of some groups, such as sect. Rupestres, probably indicating their non-monophyly despite homogeneity with respect to other morphological characters. Pollen morphology does not support recognition of Asyneuma, Legousia, Michauxia, Symphyandra, Theodorovia, and Zeugandra as separated from Campanula, since none of them exhibit any unique feature.     

An analysis of macaque systematics using gene frequency data

Macaque gene frequencies for seven polymorphic protein systems are employed to generate dendrograms via two algorithms. The frequency data employed are drawn from 14 populations of macaques representing nine species. The two algorithms are the unweighted pair group method and an iterative program based on the additive hypothesis. The topologies generated by the two approaches are quite similar. The one major difference, involving M. fuscata, is investigated in detail.As measured by our index of dissimilarity (ID) conspecific populations of M. nemestrina, M. mulatta and M. fascicularis are closely related. Often the ID values separating conspecific groups are in agreement with expectations based on geographic considerations. Interspecific comparisons involving M. mulatta and M. fascicularis also exhibit clinal variation.M. cyclopis and M. fuscata show a particularly strong relationship to M. mulatta. This cluster of three species is closely related to M. fascicularis. M. speciosa, on the other hand, appears to be the most divergent of the species analyzed. The results are considered in light of previous thoughts about macaque systematics based on morphological characteristics.     

Genetic variability in macaques: Correlations between biochemical and dermatoglyphic systems

The palmar dermatoglyphics of four groups of macaque, Macaca nemestrina, M. fuscata yakui, M. f. fuscata and M. fascicularis, were compared, and the genetic affinities of the four groups were assessed using a dermatoglyphic mean square distance measure. According to this measure the two subspecies of M. fuscata were dermatoglyphically more distant from one another than was M. fuscata fuscata from M. nemestrina, suggesting that the two insular populations of M. fuscata had evolved in genetic isolation. The distributions of specific dermatoglyphic patterns were then compared with the frequency distributions of alleles at different protein structural loci in other macaque populations. The results of the comparison were consistent in that insular populations showed reduction in variability for both kinds of systems. The implications of this correlation are discussed in terms of population size and natural selection.     

Cladistic and phenetic analyses of relationships among Fusarium spp. in Dongtan wetland by morphology and isozymes

Variations of 12 morphological characters and 78 isozymic bands among 78 isolates of five Fusarium spp. from Dongtan wetland were described and analysed with cladistic parsimony and phenetic UPGMA methods. Hierarchical cluster analysis of 12 morphological characters grouped 78 strains into five defined species with a high overlap between isolates. Hierarchical cluster analysis of isozyme patterns showed a higher degree of relationship among five Fusarium spp., in which Fusarium nivale, Fusarium semitectum and Fusarium oxysporum clustered as one group, and F. semitectum was closer to F. nivale than to F. oxysporum; Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium moniliforme formed one group and showed clearly distinct from the first group. Groups of individual isolates indicated by a plot of principal component analysis were consistent with these findings. The comparison of two different data sets revealed that isozyme patterns showed higher variations between species and among individual isolates than morphological characters. Parsimony analysis of morphological characters yielded unresolved cladograms. Parsimony analysis of isozymes as presence/absence characters revealed the same five species in general as the results indicated by phenetic analysis, differing in the relative position of species in subclusters.     

Spatial pattern and association of tree species in a mixed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies holophylla</Emphasis>-broadleaved deciduous forest in Odaesan National Park

The mixed Abies holophylla-broadleaved deciduous forest is mature relative to other forest types in the midland of South Korea. The spatial distribution patterns of eight dominant canopy tree species were analyzed using Ripley’s K function. This study was conducted to clarify interspecific and intraspecific associations among growth stages and to interpret the coexistence mechanism among such species, by extension, to forecast their future. Disturbance-driven site heterogeneity has spatially separated disturbance-resistant Magnolia sieboldii from the other seven species. Spatial distribution of other species is affected by dispersal mechanisms and interspecific and intraspecific competition. These species were classified into three groups. The first group, composed of A. holophylla, Tilia amurensis, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, and Quercus mongolica, was the most dominant and intraspecifically affinitive. Additionally, it seemed that they were established before the others. Q. mongolica and T. amurensis are poorly resistant to shade and are likely to be crowded out. In contrast, the other two species may continue, as they are highly resistant to shade and have high reproductivity. The second group was composed of Carpinus cordata, Acer tegmentosum, and Acer mono, i.e., late-successional species that wait for chances with shade tolerance and high reproductivity. These species are expected to occupy much of the Q. mongolica and T. amurensis space. M. sieboldii, i.e., the third group, were negatively related with other species and have dominated the valleys where intense disturbances are repeated. Understories have poor reproductivity, but a stationary population is expected to be maintained if canopy gaps are created by occasional disturbances.     

Morphometric analysis of the genusHemerocallis L. (Liliaceae) in Korea

To better understand the patterns of variability and distributions ofHemerocallis in Korea, 53 locations were visited and measurements of 19 morphological and phenological characters were taken on plants directly from their natural habitats. For morphometric analysis, 10 plants from each of 34 populations and five herbarium specimens ofH. middendorffii were used and the data from 12 quantitative characters was analyzed using univariate analysis. Except the littoral populations of Cheju, Hong, Taehuksan, and Sohuksan Islands (H. hongdoensis M. Chung & S. Kang), three peninsular KoreanHemerocallis species can be recognized mainly in South Korea:H. hakuunensis Nakai (=H. micrantha Nakai, growing on southern, central, and northwestern Korea);H. thunbergii Baker (=H. coreana Nakai, found on southeastern and central Korea); andH. middendorffii Tr. et Mey. (central and northeastern Korea). Morphological and phenological features contributing to recognition of the three groups were; color of perianth, shape of roots, shape of inflorescence, flowering time, odor, length of inflorescence, width of the lowest bracts, length of perianth tube enclosing a ovary, width of the inner perianth lobes. Natural hybridization seems to be rare in KoreanHemerocallis. It appears that the KoreanHemerocallis species are relatively well characterized by their distribution patterns, phenology, and habitats compared with the JapaneseHemerocallis species.     

A New record of four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> species isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agarum clathratum</Emphasis> in Korea

Agarum clathratum, brown algae, play important ecological roles in marine ecosystem, but can cause secondary environment pollution when they pile up on the beach. In order to resolve the environment problem by A. clathratum, we focus to isolate and identify Penicillium because many species are well known to produce extracellular enzymes. A total of 32 Penicillium strains were isolated from A. clathratum samples that collected from 13 sites along the mid-east coast of Korea in summer. They were identified based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis using β-tubulin DNA sequences as well as a combined dataset of β-tubulin and calmodulin. A total of 32 strains were isolated and they were identified to 13 Penicillium species. The commonly isolated species were Penicillium citrinum, P. roseomaculatum, and Penicillium sp. Among 13 Penicillium species, four species – P. bilaiae, P. cremeogriseum, P. madriti, and P. roseomaculatum – have not been previously recorded in Korea. For these four new species records to Korea, we provide morphological characteristics of each strain.