A morphological investigation of Culicoides spp. biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Caribbean.

Features of the antennae, maxillary palps, and mouthparts of the females of seven species of Culicoides spp. biting midges collected from a montane rainforest site in Trinidad, West Indies, were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Comparisons were made with two British species, Culicoides impunctatus and Culicoides nubeculosus. Species-specific differences were demonstrated in the camber and pitch of mandibular teeth, the size and shape of the subapical labral sensilla, the size and depth of the palpal sensory pit, and the number and shape of heads of the palpal sensilla. Counts of sensilla coeloconica and palpal sensilla were suggested as being contributory features for the prediction of host preference, indicating that Culicoides darlingtonae, Culicoides glabellus, Culicoides insinuatus, Culicoides paraensis, and Culicoides pseudodiabolicus were probably mammalophilic species. The host preferences of Culicoides heliconiae and Culicoides flavivenula could not be determined accurately.     

Die sinnesorgane an der glossa,dem epipharynx und dem hypopharynx der arbeiterin von Apis mellifica L. (Insecta,Hymenoptera)

In the mouth of the honey bee several types of sensory organs are found: Sensillae chaeticae on the tongue, sensillae trichodeae on the epipharynx and sensillae basiconicae on the hypopharynx. These organs usually are built up by a trichogen and a tormogen cell and they possess primary bipolar sensory cells in a varying number.     

Répercussion sur la prise de nourriture de désafferénces sensitives de la région péribuccale de la larve de Locusta

Nerves of Locusta to the labrum, mandible, and hypopharynx were cut. Each of these operations deprived the whole organ of sensory nerves without affecting motor function. In other experiments palps, antennae, and galeae were removed. Feeding behaviour is measured by weighing faeces produced. This behaviour is not affected for long by suppressing a considerable number of sensory sensillae and it would appear that feeding is not dependent simply upon sensory areas in the regions studied.     

Sensory system of 2 species of cercariae of the genus Cryptocotyle (Trematoda, Heterophyidae)

The sensory system of two species of cercariae of the genus Cryptocotyle, C. concavum and C. lingua, is described and differences are indicated in the location of sensillae of both species which make possible the clear differentiation of both species.     

Morphology of the antennal sensory cone in insect larvae from various orders

This article describes the morphology of antennae in larvae of three species of beetles from the families Cerambycidae and Chrysomelidae; one species of the caddis fly from the family Limnephilidae; and four species of dipterans from the families Culicidae, Chironomidae, and Muscidae. In all investigated species, the antenna has a sensory cone on it. Larvae of the caddis fly, longhorn beetles, and leaf beetles have on their antenna solitary sensillae and the sensory cone. This proves the advanced evolution of these species. Despite reduction of the head capsule, the antennal sensory cone in ±9/58 larvae of higher dipterans has become the dominant sensory structure.     

The Structure and Evolution of the Apical Sensory Zone Structures in the Maxillary and Labial Palps of Caddisflies (Trichoptera)

A comparative morphological study of the apical regions of palps in Trichoptera from different evolutionary lines of the order was carried out, and a comparison was made with representatives of Lepidoptera and Mecoptera. Light and scanning electron microscopy methods were used to study the structure of palpal apices in 81 species of the order Trichoptera, 6 of Lepidoptera, and 2 species of Mecoptera. As a result, 11 types of sensilla were identified on the terminal palpal segments, and highly differentiated apical sensory zones with thick short basiconic sensilla were found on the maxillary and labial palps. The presence of an apical sensory zone in caddisflies and related orders is recognized as a plesiomorphic character.     

Sensory apparatus of the cercaria of 2 species of the genus Apatemon (Trematoda: Strigeidae)

The sensory apparatus of cercariae of two species of trematodes (A. cobitidis and A. minor) is described. The species differ both morphologically and biologically. The only common feature in the sensory apparatus of the above species is the topography of sensillae in the posterior half of the lateral complex of the caudal trunk and of the furcal complex.     

First evidence of neurons in the male copulatory organ of a spider (Arachnida,Araneae)

Spider males have evolved a remarkable way of transferring sperm by using a modified part of their pedipalps, the so-called palpal organ. The palpal organ is ontogenetically derived from tarsal claws; however, no nerves, sensory organs or muscles have been detected in the palpal bulb so far, suggesting that the spider male copulatory organ is numb and sensorily blind. Here, we document the presence of neurons and a nerve inside the male palpal organ of a spider for the first time. Several neurons that are located in the embolus are attached to the surrounding cuticle where stresses and strains lead to a deformation (stretching) of the palpal cuticle on a local scale, suggesting a putative proprioreceptive function. Consequently, the male copulatory organ of this species is not just a numb structure but likely able to directly perceive sensory input during sperm transfer. In addition, we identified two glands in the palpal organ, one of which is located in the embolus (embolus gland). The embolus gland appears to be directly innervated, which could allow for rapid modulation of secretory activity. Thus, we hypothesize that the transferred seminal fluid can be modulated to influence female processes.     

Comparative study of the sensory system in gamasid mites Rhinonyssus rhinolethrum,Rh. subrhinolethrum and Ptilonyssus motacillae (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Rhinonyssidae), parasites in the nasal cavity of birds

Sensillae of the tarsal receptor complex, palpal organ, and body chaetom were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy in three endoparasitic gamasid mites: Rhinonyssus rhinolethrum, Rh. subrhinolethrum and Ptilonyssus motacillae, the parasites of Anser albifrons, Anas crecca, and Motacilla alba, respectively. In the tarsal sensory complex, the scale of reduction of the olfactory sensilla reflects the adaptation of gamasid mites to cavernous parasitism. The topography of this sensilla is specific at generic and species taxonomic levels. In the palpal sensory organ, the number and scale of reduction of two main sensilla types depend on peculiarities of places of blood-sucking.     

Sexual dimorphism of the nymphal phase of ixodid tick species in the genus Dermacentor

In four studied Dermacentor species at preimaginal phases sexual dimorphism hardly reveals itself in body size and mass of individuals. The formation of sexual distinctions at the nymphal phase concerns different characters as in different species so in populations of one species. In D. niveus male and female nymphs differ in the length of II-III palpal joints and width of gnathosoma, in D. ushakovae in the length of scutum and its proportions, in the width of gnathosoma and hypostome and in the diameter of peritreme. The sex of D. silvarum nymphs can be identified by the width of gnathosoma, length of hypostome and diameter of peritreme. Female and male nymphs of D. marginatus from the Stavropol Territory and Armenia differ in the scutum proportions and populations from the western Pamirs in the length of scutum and gnathosoma.     

Antennal sensilla of grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in relation to food preferences and habits

The external structure, i.e. number and distribution of sensillae on male and female antennae of 12 species of grasshoppers belonging to Pamphaginae, Catantopinae, Oedipodinae and Gomphocerinae in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Five major types of antennal sensillae were detected - trichoid, long basiconic, short basiconic, slender and short basiconic, and coeloconic sensillae. Total number of antennal sensillae varied among different sexes, subfamilies, feeding groups, life forms and eco-forms. Males showed significantly more sensillae than females, due to presence of more short basiconic and coeloconic sensillae. Species under Catantopinae showed more long basiconic sensillae than the others. The Oedipodinae had the highest number of slender and short basiconic sensillae and coeloconic sensillae, followed by Catantopinae and Gomphocerinae; while Pamphaginae had the fewest. The total number of sensillae showed the same trend for these two types amongst the subfamilies as well, species which prefer habits on the ground possessed fewer antennal sensillae than species which prefer to stay on plants. The maximal number of antennal sensillae were observed in hygrophytous species,Chorthippus albomarginatus, in the 12 grasshopper species investigated, although the data is not statistically significant. The general trend which emerged was that species feeding on grass possessed more antennal sensillae, particularly coeloconic sensillae, compared to other feeding group species.     

Three-dimensional fine structural reconstruction of the nose sensory structures of Acrobeles complexus compared to Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda: Rhabditida)

Nematode sensory structures can be divided into two classes; cuticular sensillae, with dendrites ending outside the epidermis, and internal receptors, that typically are single dendrites terminating within the body cavity. Fine structure of the former has been described completely in more than a dozen nematode taxa, while the latter were previously only well understood in the microbial feeder Caenorhabditis elegans. The distantly related nematode Acrobeles complexus has a similar ecology and together the two span a clade representing a large proportion of nematode biodiversity. The cuticular sensillae and internal receptors of A. complexus are here shown to be remarkably similar in number, arrangement, and morphology to those of C. elegans. Several key differences are reported that likely relate to function, and suggest that this nematode has a cuticular sensillum morphology that is closer to that of the common ancestor of the two taxa. Internal sensory receptors have more elaborate termini than those of C. elegans. The existence of a novel form of mechanoreceptor in A. complexus and spatial relationships between sensillum dendrites suggest differences between two classes of sensillae in how a touch-response behavior may be mediated.     

开普蛛科(蛛形纲,蜘蛛目)在越南的新纪录

报道了越南蜘蛛1新纪录科,开普蛛科Caponiidae。描述了越南1新纪录种:刚毛老挝蛛Laoponia saetosa Platnick & Jager,2008和1新种:拟刚毛老挝蛛L.pseudosaetosa sp.nov.。这2个种的雄性触肢器的形状基本相同,但是触肢器生殖球的大小差异十分显著,该结构在拟刚毛老挝蛛中显著小于刚毛老挝蛛(P<0.05)。标本采集于越南北部的3个国家公园:库风国家公园(Cuc Phuong National Park),吉婆岛国家公园(CatBa National Park)和三岛国家自然公园(Tam DaoNational Park)。拟刚毛老挝蛛,新种Laoponia pseudosaetosa sp.nov.(图6～8,10,13)正模♂,副模20♂♂,越南永丰省三岛国家公园,2007-04-01至2008-03-31,范鼎飒采。词源:新种因生殖器结构与刚毛老挝蛛Laoponiasaetosa Platnick & Jager,2008相似而得此名。     

蜱类须肢感器的细微结构

用扫描电镜观察了1种软蜱和4属8种硬蜱的成虫以及血蜱属3种若虫的须肢感器的外部形态;同时用透射电镜观察了波斯锐缘蜱、中华革蜱和亚洲璃眼蜱3种成虫须肢感器的内部结构.结果表明,须肢感器的外部形态在硬蜱各属成虫之间存在着一定的差异,主要表现在感器形状、顶端感毛数目、类型及形态,基部感毛数目及形态等几个方面.同属各种间差异不大.血蜱属幼期和波斯锐缘蜱幼期之间也有一定的差异,主要表现在感器形状、顶端感毛数目以及基部感毛数目、形态和排列方式.须肢顶端感毛的内部结构在三种蜱中都可分为A、B两种类型.A型具两个腔:其一为圆形腔,内有树突;另一为新月形腔,无树突.靠近感毛顶端有通道通向外界.B型感毛在三种蜱中差异较大,其共同点是只具有一个含有树突的腔.     

Structure and localization of sensilla on antennae of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera)

Structure of antenna segments and ultrastructure of antennal sensillae in representatives of 28 caddisfly families from both modern suborders were studied by electron and light microscopy methods. On Trichoptera antennae, 16 types of sensillae were found, some of them being described for the first time. Morphological peculiarities of cuticular ultrastructures on the antennal surface demonstrate essential differences in structure both at the family level and at the lower taxonomic levels. Specialized sensory fields structurally different from the remaining antennal surface were revealed on antennal flagellae in representatives of the Phryganeina suborder. A new classification of sensillae based on the structure of their cuticular section is proposed.     

Adaptation of sensory systems of gamasid mites (Parasitiformes, Gamasina) to dwelling in different environment

The main complication sensory organs (the palpal organ and the tarsal sensory complex) of several species of gamasid mites were studied in scanning electron microscope. The species examined included permanent ectoparasites (Laelaps agilis, Laelaptidae), parasites of the nasal cavity and respiratory tract of birds (Sternostoma tracheocolum and Ptilonyssus reguli, Rhinonyssidae), dwellers of the sea littoral zone (Parasitus kempersi, Parasitus immanis, Parasitidae), and mites found on soil and on plants (Amblyseius barkeri, Parasitidae). Similar sensillar types, including olfactory SW-WP sensilla, contact chemo-mechanosensory (SW-UP and DW-UP) sensilla, termo-chemo-mechanosensitive (DW-WP) sensilla of two types, and tactile (NP) sensilla were found in all these species, excluding endoparasites, where some sensillar types (in particular, DW-WP sensilla with slit-like pores) are absent. It was shown that the topography of olfactory SW-WP sensilla of the tarsal complex reflects taxonomic position and phylogenetic history of mite genera, whereas the number of certain sensillar types and the degree of their development reflect ecological specialization of species. The palpal organ is characterized by rather uniform structure in mites of different families, dwellers of different environments, except for the endoparasites of the family Rhinonyssidae, where this organ is strongly reduced.     

中国广西两种跳蛛记述(蜘蛛目:跳蛛科)

记述了两种广西跳蛛：指状猎蛛Evarcha digitatia sp.nov.和条纹宽胸蝇虎Rhene setipes Zabka,1985,后者为我国新纪录种,模式标本保存于中国科学院动物研究所,量度单位为mm。     

Polygenic analysis of pattern formation in Drosophila: Specification of campaniform sensilla positions on the wing

This study was designed to measure the degree of correlation between vein formation and the specification of campaniform sensillae positions in the wing of Drosophila melanogaster. The campaniform sensillae are sensory organs placed at various locations on the wing. Those on the third longitudinal vein (L3) were the focus of this analysis. The system of polygenic modifiers of vein length is comparatively simple, as shown in whole chromosome assays of selected lines. This variability provides a sensitive method of altering vein-forming ability and of assessing correlated changes in other parts of the vein pattern. In selection lines of veinlet, sensillae were displaced toward the base of the wing as vein length decreased by distal loss of vein material. Changes in the amount of vein were, however, not directly proportional to changes in sensillae positions. The more distal sensillae were shifted the largest amount. In the mutant tilt, in which reduced L3 vein-forming competence results in subterminal gaps, distal campaniform sensillae were almost completely eliminated. The remaining sensillae were shifted toward the base of the wing where vein formation is normal. The placement of sensillae therefore appears to be sensitive to the same underlying determinants involved in vein-forming competence.     

External Structures of the Antennae and Mouth Parts of the Fourth Instar of Chironomus flaviplumus and Chironomus salinarius (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Chironomidae is usually the most abundant macroinvetebrate in freshwater. They form an important part of the foodweb, and also have long been known as indicators of water quality. However, there is a great deal of difficulty in its identification. Such is due to the complexity of larval taxonomy. The external fine structures of the mouth parts and antennae of 4th instar larva C. flaviplumus and C. salinarius were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antennae of the fourth instar larvae of C. flaviplumus and C. salinarius are short and composed of five segments. They consist of a scape, pedical, and three flagellar subsegments. The maxilla palps have 10 sensilla basiconica on its distal surface. They show the three morphological groups in the following numbers: six apical sensillae, three medial sensillae, and one lateral sensillae. The mandibles have strong apical and lateral teeth. These sensory structures are situated on the head capsule, each of which are represented with images to elucidate the identification of chironomidae.