Phylogenetic analysis of Staphyliniformia (Coleoptera) based on characters of larvae and adults

Abstract. One hundred and twenty-one morphological characters of larvae and adults of the series Staphyliniformia were scored (multistate coding) and analysed to determine the family group relationships of the polyphagan groups Scarabaeoidea, Histeroidea, Hydrophiloidea and Staphylinoidea. Cladograms were rooted with exemplars of Adephaga, Archostemata, Myxophaga and the polyphagan families Dascillidae, Derodontidae, Eucinetidae and Scirtidae. Analyses of the same dataset with multistate characters re-coded as presence/absence (144 characters) produced cladograms that were similar to those produced from analyses of the original characters. Cladograms produced from partitioned larval and adult characters differed strongly, with adult-only trees more similar to those produced by combined data. The results confirm the monophyly of Hydrophiloidea + Histeroidea and of Staphylinoidea (including Hydraenidae). The Epimetopidae + Georissidae are the only strongly supported clade within Hydrophiloidea. A clade comprising Hydrochidae, Spercheidae and Hydrophilidae, and a sister-group relationship between the latter two families were confirmed in analyses of the data with presence/absence coding. Helophoridae, Epimetopidae and Georissidae are probably not a monophyletic unit, and additional evidence is needed for a reliable placement of Helophoridae. Scarabaeoidea are placed as a sister taxon of Hydrophiloidea + Histeroidea, but support for this relationship is weak. The branching pattern ((Hydraenidae + Ptiliidae) + (Leiodidae + Agyrtidae)), and a clade comprising Scydmaenidae, Silphidae and Staphylinidae (= ‘staphylinid group’) are well founded. The branching pattern (Orchymontiinae + (Prosthetopinae + (Ochthebiinae + Hydraeninae))) within Hydraenidae is confirmed. Poor resolution at the base of the trees and the placement of some nonstaphyliniform taxa (Dascillidae, Derodontidae, Scirtidae and Eucinetidae) as a sister group to a clade comprising Scarabaeoidea, Hydrophiloidea and Histeroidea suggests that Staphyliniformia may be paraphyletic. It is recommended that series names are eliminated from the classification of Polyphaga, at least for the more ‘primitive’ groups.     

Antennal morphology of the endogean carabid genus typhlocharis (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Anillini): Description of sensilla and taxonomic implications

The antennal morphology and chaetotaxy were studied in 52 species of the endogean carabid genus Typhlocharis, using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The antennae are composed of 11 antennomeres (scape, pedicel, and nine flagellomeres). We found considerable variation between species in the third antennomere, with short‐stem and long‐stem forms, and flagellomere morphology, distinguishing two morphs: rounded (subovoid, subspheric and subquadrate, morph 1) and reniform shapes (morph 2). Antennal sensilla are grouped in six types of sensilla trichodea, three types of sensilla basiconica, one type of sensilla coeloconica, and one type of sensilla campaniformia. The distribution of sensilla along the antennomeres is described. The “rings” of trichoid sensilla in the antennomere body are affected by its shape and there is interspecific variation in the pattern of sensilla coeloconica in antennomere 11°, a novelty for the genus. The types of sensilla found in Typhlocharis are compared to those described in other Carabidae and the potential functionality and taxonomic interest of those variable antennal features are discussed. A correlation between the flagellomere morphology and the presence/absence of a stridulatory organ is suggested. The study also allowed comparing the observation of antennal features by SEM and light microscopy. J. Morphol., 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Larval head morphology of Hydroscapha natans (Coleoptera, Myxophaga) with reference to miniaturization and the systematic position of Hydroscaphidae

 The head of third instar larvae of Hydroscapha natans was reconstructed three dimensionally on a computer. This technique allowed a detailed examination and presentation of internal features of a representative of the ’suborder’ Myxophaga, which is characterized by the very small size of the immature stages and adults. Larval character states of H. natans were compared with features found in other representatives of the Coleoptera. The monophyly of the Myxophaga (excluding Lepiceridae) is supported by several autapomorphies of the larval head: a broadened, transverse head, scale-like cuticular surface structures, round and flattened labral sensilla, short antennae with only two antennomeres, a ligula with papillae, and a broadened tentorial bridge. A monophylum comprising the Hydroscaphidae and Microsporidae is characterized by a very unusual semientognathous condition of the mouthparts and an unusual shape and large relative size of the brain. The last common ancestor of the Hydroscaphidae, Torridincolidae, and Microsporidae was probably living in hygropetric habitats. Several apomorphies have evolved in correlation with this peculiar life style. The very dense arrangement of muscles and other internal structures, and the unusual shape and size of the cerebrum have resulted from miniaturization. The overall complexity of the head is not reduced in comparison to larvae of other representatives of Coleoptera. A negative allometric relationship between body size and the size of the brain, and a correlation between brain size and the size of neurons was found in several species of Coleoptera examined. Accepted: 16 December 1997     

The cephalic morphology of the troglobiontic cholevine species Troglocharinus ferreri (Coleoptera,Leiodidae)

Leiodidae are the second largest subterranean radiation of beetles at family rank. To explore morphological trends linked with troglobiontic habits and characters with potential phylogenetic significance, the head of the cave-dwelling species Troglocharinus ferreri (Cholevinae, Leptodirini) was examined in detail. Overall, the general pattern is similar to what is found in Catops ventricosus (Cholevini). Shared apomorphic features include a fully exposed anterolateral concavity containing the antennal socket, a distinct bead above this depression, a bilobed lip-like structure anterad the labrum, a flat elevated portion of the ventral mandibular surface, and a ventral process at the proximomesal edge of this mandibular area. The tentorial structures are well-developed as in C. ventricosus, with a large laminatentorium and somewhat shortened dorsal arms. The mouthparts are largely unmodified, with the exception of unusually well-developed extrinsic maxillary muscles. Features of T. ferreri obviously linked with subterranean habits are the complete lack of compound eyes, circumocular ridges, and optic lobes. A series of characters is similar to conditions found in other genera of Leptodirini: the head capsule completely lacks a protruding ocular region, a distinct neck is missing, the transverse occipital crest is indistinct, and the antennae are elongate and lack a distinct club. Two different trends of cephalic transformations occur in troglobiontic Leptodirini, with some genera like Troglocharinus and Leptodirus having elongated head capsules and antennae, and others having broadened, more transverse heads. In contrast, the modifications are more uniform in the closely related Ptomaphagini, with a pattern distinctly differing from Leptodirini: the head is transverse, with a distinctly protruding ocular region, a distinct transverse occipital crest, and a very narrow neck region.     

On the head morphology of Grylloblattodea (Insecta) and the systematic position of the order,with a new nomenclature for the head muscles of Dicondylia

External and internal head structures of adults of Galloisiana yuasai (Grylloblattodea) are described. The results are compared with conditions found in representatives of other lower neopteran lineages, notably in Austrophasma and Karoophasma (both Mantophasmatodea). Sutures and ridges of the head capsule are discussed. A new nomenclature for head muscles is presented for the entire Dicondylia (= Zygentoma + Pterygota). Galloisiana (like its sister taxon Grylloblatta) is mostly characterized by plesiomorphic features, such as the largely unspecialized orthopteroid mouthparts, the multisegmented filiform antennae, the presence of trabeculae tentorii, the absence of muscles associated with the antennal ampullae, the presence of musculus stipitalis transversalis (0mx11) and the presence of musculus tentoriofrontalis anterior (0te2). Autapomorphies of Grylloblattodea are: (i) compound eyes composed of only 60 ommatidia or less; (ii) a lacinia with a proximal tooth; (iii) a rounded submentum; (iv) loss of musculus craniohypopharyngealis (0hy3); and (v) loss of musculus labroepipharyngealis (0lb5). The phylogenetic evaluation of 104 characters of the head yields a branching pattern with Grylloblattodea as a sister group of Mantophasmatodea in clade Xenonomia. Putative synapomorphies of both taxa are: (i) a distinct angle (more than 60°) between the submentum and the mentum; (ii) posteriorly oriented labial palpi; (iii) a flat and lobe‐like hypopharynx with a suspensorium far ventrad of the anatomical mouth opening; (iv) loss of musculus tentorioparaglossalis (0la6); and (v) a connection between the antennal ampulla and the supraoesophageal ganglion containing nuclei. Xenonomia is placed in a clade with the two dictyopteran terminals. Another monophyletic group is Embioptera + Phasmatodea. Most branches of the single tree obtained in our analysis are weakly supported. The results clearly show that more data and a much broader taxon sampling are required to clarify the phylogenetic interrelationships of the lower neopteran orders. However, our results narrow down the spectrum of possible solutions, and represent a starting point for future phylogenetic analyses, with an extensive concatenated dataset.     

Towards the phylogeny of chafers (Sericini): analysis of alignment-variable sequences and the evolution of segment numbers in the antennal club

Scarabaeoid beetles display a distinctive lamellate antenna carrying olfactory sensillae which show various trends of surface enlargement, including the increased number of the terminal lamellate antennomeres. The presence of >3 lamellae ('plurilamellate' antennae) in some groups has been used in the classification of chafers (Melolonthinae) and in particular in the tribe Sericini. However, this character may not be phylogenetically conservative. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis based on partial 28S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase I (cox1) and 16S rRNA (rrnL) for 183 species of Scarabaeidae, representing all traditionally recognized subfamilies, with particular focus on Sericini. Alignments of length-variable sequences were obtained applying various alignment algorithms and parameter settings. Tree topologies from the combined analysis were very similar when rrnL alignment was based on the progressive alignment algorithm MAFFT, MUSCLE, and less so Clustal, but differed greatly when using the probabilistic PRANK and the 'local' alignment procedure BlastAlign, while alignment conditions for the smaller 28S rRNA had little impact on the combined analysis. Preferred conditions were chosen based on an extensive analysis of character congruence between markers and recovery of well established taxonomic groups. Combined analyses on the best alignments using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference generally supported the traditional classification, including the monophyly of Scarabaeidae, with Glaphyridae as its sister, the monophyly of Cetoniinae, and the monophyly of most tribes included. Various levels of support were also obtained in favor of a proposed sister relationship of Sericini with Ablaberini, their close relationships to a melolonthine clade consisting of several tribes with exclusively Southern Hemisphere distribution, and the monophyly of Old World Sericini. In contrast, the generic level relationships were not consistent with the existing taxonomy. The large genera Neoserica, Microserica, and Maladera each split in several distantly related branches. The segment number of the antennal club when optimized onto the preferred tree revealed that plurilamellate antennae originated repeatedly (9-10 times in Sericini, plus multiple origins in other Melolonthinae). This invalidates the use of this trait in the generic classification. The number of lamellae is likely to be relevant to mate recognition, as it affects the spatial organization and number of olfactory sensillae. The high level of homoplasy in antennal characters may indicate a causal link between the morphological diversity of the antennae and the great species richness of Sericini and related melolonthines.     

New species of the weevil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudorchestes</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) from the central Palaearctic region

Three new species of the genus Pseudorchestes Bedel are described. Pseudorchestes olgae sp. n. known only from the Dzhanybek Research Station is similar to Ps. abdurakhmanovi Korotyaev, 1993 from Daghestan and Southwestern Kazakhstan but differs in the narrower frons, sparse white scales on the frons and on the underside of the head, longer and narrower antennal club, less strongly curved hind tibia, and larger size. Pseudorchestes tschernovi sp. n. from the Lower Volga River basin, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan differs from all the known congeners, except for Ps. convexus sp. n. from the Trans-Altai Gobi (Mongolia), in the strongly reduced wings which are only half as long as the elytra, and from the latter species, in the longer rostrum, paler antennae and legs, wide and apically excised scales on the elytra, and in the antennal club short and ovate in both sexes and lacking dense velvety pubescence in the male.     

On the head morphology of Phyllium and the phylogenetic relationships of Phasmatodea (Insecta)

Friedemann K., Wipfler B., Bradler S. and Beutel R.G. 2011 . On the head morphology of Phyllium and the phylogenetic relationships of Phasmatodea (Insecta). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00 : 1–16. External and internal head structures of Phyllium siccifolium are described in detail. The findings are compared with conditions found in other phasmatodeans and members of other neopteran lineages. The compiled 125 characters were analysed cladistically. A clade Eukinolabia (Phasmatodea + Embioptera) was confirmed. Synapomorphies of these two taxa are the shift of the origin of M. tentorioparaglossalis to the hind margin of the prementum, the presence of M. tentorioscapalis medialis, and antennal muscles that originate exclusively on the anterior tentorial arms. Within Eukinolabia, the position of Timema remains somewhat ambiguous because of missing anatomical data. However, it was confirmed as sister group of Euphasmatodea in a monophyletic Phasmatodea. Apomorphic groundplan features of Euphasmatodea are salivary ducts with separate external openings, apically rounded glossae, the presence of the galealobulus, and the reduction of the antennifer. The monophyly of Neophasmatidae was confirmed. Autapomorphies are the loss of M. frontobuccalis posterior, the anteriorly or dorsally directed maxillary palps, and the reduction of the mandibular incisivi. The analysis of characters of the head yielded three new autapomorphies of Phylliinae, the presence of a protuberance on the attachment site of the dorsal tentorial arms, dorsoventrally flattened maxillary‐ and labial palps, and possibly the narrow and U‐shaped field of trichomes on the apical part of the galea.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Myxophaga (Coleoptera) using larval characters

A phylogenetic parsimony analysis of fifty-four larval characters of Myxophaga (excluding Lepiceridae) resulted in two minimal length cladograms. The monophyly of Torridincolidae, Hydroscaphidae and Microsporidae is supported by several autapomorphies: miniaturization, flattened body with laterally extended tergites, broadened head, scale-like surface structures, broad tentorial bridge, disc-shaped labral sensilla, spiracular gills and pupation in the last larval exuviae. Hydroscaphidae are the sister group of Microsporidae. Larvae of both families are characterized by semi-entognathous mouthparts, tergites with posterior rows of lancet-shaped setae, claws with flattened basal spines and balloon-shaped spiracular gills. The monophyly of all families is supported by autapomorphies. Torridincolidae excluding Delevea is defined as a monophylum by four derived character states: body ovoid, thorax semicircular and as long as abdomen, labral sensilla fused and abdominal sternite IX distinctly reduced and triangular. The monophyly of Torridincolinae (sensu Endrödy-Younga 1997b) is supported by two autapomorphies. The proposed branching pattern suggests that the early representatives of Myxophaga (excluding Lepiceridae) were living in aquatic conditions with a preference for hygropetric habitats. The tendency to live on rocks in running water and miniaturization have played an important role in myxophagan evolution.     

Interrelationships of Staphyliniform groups inferred from 18S and 28S rDNA sequences, with special emphasis on Hydrophiloidea (Coleoptera, Staphyliniformia)

The series Staphyliniformia is one of the mega‐diverse groups of Coleoptera, but the relationships among the main families are still poorly understood. In this paper we address the interrelationships of staphyliniform groups, with special emphasis on Hydrophiloidea and Hydraenidae, based on partial sequences of the ribosomal genes 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA. Sequence data were analysed with parsimony and Bayesian posterior probabilities, in an attempt to overcome the likely effect of some branches longer than the 95% cumulative probability of the estimated normal distribution of the path lengths of the species. The inter‐family relationships in the trees obtained with both methods were in general poorly supported, although most of the results based on the sequence data are in good agreement with morphological studies. In none of our analyses a close relationship between Hydraenidae and Hydrophiloidea was supported, contrary to the traditional view but in agreement with recent morphological investigations. Hydraenidae form a clade with Ptiliidae and Scydmaenidae in the tree obtained with Bayesian probabilities, but are placed as basal group of Staphyliniformia (with Silphidae as subordinate group) in the parsimony tree. Based on the analysed data with a limited set of outgroups Scarabaeoidea are nested within Staphyliniformia. However, this needs further support. Hydrophiloidea s.str., Sphaeridiinae, Histeroidea (Histeridae + Sphaeritidae), and all staphylinoid families included are confirmed as monophyletic, with the exception of Hydraenidae in the parsimony tree. Spercheidae are not a basal group within Hydrophiloidea, as has been previously suggested, but included in a polytomy with other Hydrophilidae in the Bayesian analyses, or its sistergroup (with the inclusion of Epimetopidae) in the parsimony tree. Helophorus is placed at the base of Hydrophiloidea in the parsimony tree. The monophyly of Hydrophiloidea s.l. (including the histeroid families) and Staphylinoidea could not be confirmed by the analysed data. Some results, such as a placement of Silphidae as subordinate group of Hydraenidae (parsimony tree), or a sistergroup relationship between Ptiliidae and Scydmaenidae, appear unlikely from a morphological point of view.     

The head morphology of Clambidae and its implications for the phylogeny of Scirtoidea (Coleoptera: Polyphaga)

External and internal structures of the head of adults of Clambus are described and illustrated in detail. The results are compared with structural features found in the clambid genus Calyptomerus, in representatives of other scirtoid families, and also in species of other coleopteran suborders, notably Myxophaga. The results tentatively support the monophyly of Scirtoidea and a close relationship between Clambidae and Eucinetidae is suggested by one shared derived feature of the mandible, a long and slender apical tooth with a serrate edge. The monophyly of Clambidae is very strongly supported and Acalyptomerus is probably the sistergroup of a clade Calyptomerus + Clambinae. Potential scirtoid autapomorphies are the loss of the dorsal tentorial arms, a bulging gula, a strongly transverse labrum, and a ridge separating the mediostipes from the lacinia. However, all these features are homoplasious. The monophyly of Clambidae is supported by modifications of the head capsule which is strongly flattened and broadened, by a deep clypeofrontal incision enabling vertical antennal movements, and a series of antennal features. Synapomorphies of Clambinae + Calyptomerus (Clambidae excluding Acalyptomerus) are the conglobate body form with the ventral side of the head capsule in contact with the mesocoxae, and compound eyes integrated in the contour of the head. The completely subdivided eye is an autapomorphy of Clambus. An entire series of features is shared by Clambidae (or Scirtoidea) and Myxophaga. Most of them are apomorphies that apparently evolved independently in both groups. However, the presence of well‐developed maxillary and labial glands is arguably a retained groundplan feature of Coleoptera, with parallel loss in Archostemata, Adephaga and various groups of Polyphaga. J. Morphol. 277:615–633, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The adult head morphology of the hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (diptera,cecidomyiidae)

The adult head of the Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor was examined and described in detail. Morphological features are evaluated with respect to phylogenetic implications and possible effects of miniaturisation. Preserved groundplan features of Diptera are the orthognathous orientation of the head, the vestiture of small microtrichia (possible autapomorphy), filiform antennae inserted frontally between the compound eyes, the presence of a clypeolabral muscle (possible autapomorphy), the presence of labellae (autapomorphy), and the presence of only one premental retractor. Potential synapomorphies of the groups assigned to Bibionomorpha are the origin of M. tentorioscapalis medialis on the frons and the loss of M. craniolacinialis. Further apomorphies of Cecidomyiidae identified in Mayetiola are the unusually massive anterior tentorial arm, the absence of the labro‐epipharyngeal food channel, the absence of the lacinia, and the presence of antennal sensilla connected by a seta, a feature not known from any other group of Diptera. The very large size of the compound eyes (in relation to the entire head surface) and the complete loss of ocelli are possible effects of miniaturization. The large size of the brain (in relation to the cephalic lumen), the unusual shape of the optic lobes, and the absence of the frontal ganglion as a separate structure are probably also linked with size reduction. J. Morphol. 274:1299–1311, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Family Level Analysis of Tardigrade Phylogeny

In the present study a character data set suitable for cladistic analysis at the family level was developed. A data matrix consisting of 50 morphological characters from 15 families of tardigrades was analyzed by maximum parsimony. Kinorhynchs, loriciferans, and gastrotrichs were used as outgroups. The results agree with the currently accepted hypothesis that Eutardigrada and Heterotardigrada are distinct monophyletic groups. Among the eutardigrades, Eohypsibiidae was found to be a sister group to Macrobiotidae+Hypsibiidae, while Milnesiidae was the basal eutardigrade family. The basal heterotardigrade family was found to be Oreellidae. Echiniscoideans grouped with some traditional Arthrotardigrada (Renaudarctidae, Coronarctidae+Batillipedidae) suggesting that the arthrotardigrades are not monophyletic. The 18S rRNA gene sequence of Batillipes mirus Richters, 1909 and Calohypsibius schusteri Nelson & McGlothlin, 1996 were obtained and their addition to a previously published dataset supports the monophyly of Heterotardigrada and of Parachela versus Apochela within the Eutardigrada.     

Molecules, morphology and fossils: a comprehensive approach to odonate phylogeny and the evolution of the odonate wing

We undertook a comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of dragonfly phylogeny, examining both extant and fossil lineages in simultaneous analyses. The legitimacy of higher‐level family groups and the phylogenetic relationship between families were tested. Thirteen families were supported as monophyletic (Aeshnidae, Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae, Euphaeidae, Gomphidae, Isostictidae, Lestidae, Libellulidae, Petaluridae, Platystictidae, Polythoridae, Pseudostigmatidae and Synthemistidae) and eight as non‐monophyletic (Amphipterygidae, Coenagrionidae, Corduliidae, Megapodagrionidae, Protoneuridae and Synlestidae), although Perilestidae and Platycnemididae were recovered as monophyletic under Bayesian analyses. Nine families were represented by one species, thus monophyly was not tested (Epiophlebiidae, Austropetaliidae, Chlorogomphidae, Cordulegastridae, Macromiidae, Chorismagrionidae, Diphlebiidae, Lestoideidae and Pseudolestidae). Epiprocta and Zygoptera were recovered as monophyletic. Ditaxinerua is supported as the sister lineage to Odonata, Epiophlebiidae and the lestid‐like damselflies are sister to the Epiprocta and Zygoptera, respectively. Austropetaliidae + Aeshnidae is the sister lineage to the remaining Anisoptera. Tarsophlebia's placement as sister to Epiprocta or as sister to Epiprocta + Zygoptera was not resolved. Refinements are made to the current classification. Fossil taxa did not seem to provide signals crucial to recovering a robust phylogeny, but were critical to understanding the evolution of key morphological features associated with flight. Characters associated with wing structure were optimized revealing two wing character complexes: the pterostigma–nodal brace complex and the costal wing base & costal–ScP junction complex. In turn, these two complexes appear to be associated; the pterostigma–nodal brace complex allowing for further modification of the wing characters comprised within the costal wing base & costal–ScP junction complex leading the modern odonate wing. © The Willi Hennig Society 2008.     

Antennal glands in Psylliodes chrysocephala, and their possible role in reproductive behaviour

Abstract. The antennal morphology of Psylliodes chrysocephala L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an important pest of oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ), was studied. Two types of tricellular, integumentary glands were found. The common antennal glands are distributed under all sensilla-bearing parts of male and female antennae. The male-specific antennal glands are only located under a glabrous area found on antennomeres 6–10 of male beetles. The common antennal glands are synthetically active in both pre- and post-diapause adults, but the male specific antennal glands are only active in post-diapause (reproductively active) males. During studies of mating behaviour, the antennae of the males were highly active at the beginning and end of copulation, and in response to increased female activity. The male specific antennal glands may secrete a sex pheromone, and the glabrous area on the male antennae could be the release site for such a pheromone.     

Phylogeny of extant genera in the family Characeae (Charales,Charophyceae) based on rbcL,sequences and morphology

Extant genera of Characeae have been assigned to two tribes: Chareae (Chara, Lamprothamnium, Nitellopsis, and Lychnothamnus) and Nitelleae (Nitella and Tolypella), based on morphology of the thallus and reproductive structures. Character analysis of fossil and extant oogonia suggest that Tolypella is polyphyletic, the genus comprising two sections, one in each of the two tribes. Eleven morphological characters and sequence data for the Rubisco large subunit (rbcL) were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of genera, including the two sections of Tolypella. Parsimony analysis of the rbcL data, with all positions and changes weighted equally, strongly supports the monophyly of the Characeae. The two Tolypella sections form a robust monophyletic group basal to the family. Transversion weighting yielded the same tree but with a paraphyletic Tolypella. The rbcL data strongly support monophyly of tribe Chareae but tribe Nitelleae is paraphyletic. Parsimony analysis of morphological data produced one unrooted tree consistent with monophyly of the two tribes; on this tree the Tolypella sections were paraphyletic. Combining morphological with rbcL data did not change the results derived from rbcL sequences alone. The rbcL data support the monophyly of the Characeae and Coleochaete, which together form a monophyletic sister group to embryophytes.     

Phylogenetic relationships within Luzula DC. and Juncus L. (Juncaceae): A comparison of phylogenetic signals of trnL-trnF intergenic spacer, trnL intron and rbcL plastome sequence data

Juncus and Luzula are the largest, almost cosmopolitan, genera in the Juncaceae. Relationships within Juncus and Luzula and among other genera of Juncaceae (Distichia, Marsippospermum, Oxychloë, Patosia and Rostkovia) remain incompletely resolved. RbcL sequence data resolved a part of the supraspecific phylogeny, but many clades remain polytomic. For this reason, the non‐coding cpDNA regions, trnL intron and trnL‐trnF intergenic spacer, were sequenced. We intended to create hypotheses of relationships within Juncaceae and to test the classification of the sections, but a primary goal to this study was to assess the relationships within Juncus and Luzula and to test for monophyly of groups recognized from rbcL data (especially the monophyly of genus Luzula and the Southern Hemisphere Clade (SHC)). Furthermore, we tested the influence of different rooting and ingroup composition on the tree topology. The parsimony analyses revealed several well‐supported lineages. The traditionally distinguished genus Luzula is monophyletic and Juncus is non‐monophyletic. Two subgenera of Luzula (Pterodes and Luzula) are non‐monophyletic, while subg. Marlenia forms a sister group to the whole Luzula clade (trnL‐F data set). Within Juncus, both subgenus Juncus and subgenus Agathryon are non‐monophyletic. SHC is clustered not only with the South African J. lomatophylus and J. capensis, but also together with members of the section Juncus, Caespitosi and Graminifolii. These sections form a well‐separated sister group to the SHC. Within the genera Juncus and Luzula, monophyly is demonstrated for a number of groups (e.g., Juncus section Stygiopsis, Luzula section Luzula) but questioned for others (e.g., Juncus section Graminifolii). The unusual, separate positioning of Juncus trifidus and J. monanthos were clarified by trnL‐trnF sequence data, but vary within the tree topology depending on outgroup selection and also due to LBA phenomenon. © The Willi Hennig Society 2006.     

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。