External morphology of the egg of the pink scavenger caterpillar,Pyroderces rileyi (Wallsingham) (Lepidoptera : Cosmopterigidae)

The egg of the pink scavenger caterpillar, Pyroderces rileyi (Walsingham), (Lepidoptera : Cosmopterigidae) was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The egg is subcylindrical to fusiform (0.43 × 0.23 mm), truncate at the anterior end and rounded at the posterior. Surface sculpturing consists of longitudinal and transverse ridges of about equal prominence. The anterior end has the form of a circular depression, bearing a rosette of short, petal-like primary cells on a slight elevation at its center. The micropylar canals open into a pit at the center of the rosette. The rosette is surrounded by a row of long, wedge-shaped secondary cells that extend outward to the rim of the depression. The depression is outlined by a prominent ridge that joins the anterior ends of the longitudinal ridges. Aeropyles occur at the anterior end along this ridge, mostly at ridge intersections, and at ridge intersections on the posterior end. The openings of the anterior aeropyles are surrounded by heavy raised collars. Those of the posterior aeropyles may or may not have collars.     

The tegumental surface of Phyllodistomum conostomum (Olsson, 1876) (Digenea), revealed by scanning electron microscopy

The external surface of P. conostomum is characterized by relatively large ridges encircling the anterior part of the worm at regular intervals. On the posterior part depressions on the ventral side at regular intervals and relatively small ridges on the dorsal side are present. Ventroposteriorally cobblestone-like protuberances observed are arranged in longitudinal rows. No corresponding arrangement was found dorsally. Only domed papillae (with and without a central knob) were observed, tentatively identified as sensory organs. The regular pattern of these papillae on the ventral and oral sucker is described, in addition to their arrangement ventrally and at the anterior end. A frontal pit anterior of oral suckers and a notch at the posterior end are figured and briefly described. No spines were observed on the body tegument.     

四川省雏蝗属一新种（直翅目：网翅蝗科）

记述采自中国四川省网翅蝗科雏蝗属Chorthippus(Altichorthippus)1新种:周氏雏蝗Chorthippus(Altichorthippus)choui sp.nov.。本新种同昌都雏蝗Chorthippus(A.)changtunensis Yin,1984近似,其区别特征为:后足股节和胫节桔红色;雄性腹部末端桔红色;前翅中脉域宽为肘脉域宽的1.2倍;本新种同西藏雏蝗Ch.(A.)tibetanus Uvarov,1935也近似,其区别特征为前胸背板侧隆线在沟前区明显,呈角状弯曲,在前横沟和后横沟之间不消失。     

Microornamentation of Lioestheria, Mimoleaia, and Echinolimnadia (conchostraca) from the terminal Permian of Siberia

Previously unknown minute ornamentation patterns of conchostracans are described based on SEM investigation of several collections from the terminal Permian volcanic deposits of the Tunguska Syneclise. Lioestheria (Lioestheriidae) shows ovally elongated cells arranged in rows along the growth bands, Mimoleaia (Leaiidae) has large polygonal cells with double walls, and Echinolimnaia (Echinolimnadiidae fam. nov.) displays a pattern with small polygonal cells bearing small spines along their walls. Diagnoses of genera and species are refined. New data about their distribution are presented.     

Exine Development in Illicium Religiosum Sieb. et Zucc. (Illiciaceae)

The exine development in Illicium was investigated using transmission electron and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The protectum and procolumellae appear on protruding sites of the microspore cytoplasm in the early tetrad stage. The protectum takes the form of a reticulate pattern with perforations within the callosic wall. After dissolution of the callosic wall, the central part of muri rises to form tectal ridges. The developing tectum, shows an echinate appearance in sectional view and has perforations at both sides around each lumen. There are two kinds of columellae; those forming continuous rings around each lumen and others which are individual rods standing beneath the tectum. The present developmental study in Illicium showed that the initial simple reticulate pattern formed within the callosic wall develops into the complex reticulate exine pattern of the differentiating tectum during the free microspore stage. The tectum has an angular shape with perforations and is supported by the two kinds of columellae.     

Steinernema diaprepesi n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a Parasite of the Citrus Root Weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (L) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

A nematode collected from Diaprepes abbreviatus is identified and described as a new species, Steinernema diaprepesi n. sp. The new species is closely related to S. feltiae, S. glaseri, and S. oregonense and can be distinguished from these species by the following characteristics: Males: Spicule averaging 79 (71-90) µm and spicule shape; D% (distance from anterior end to excretory pore/ esophagus length × 100) about 80; the ratio SW (spicule length/anal body width) about 1.8. Females: Vulva with short, double- flapped epiptygma; tail terminus usually with 5 papillae-like structures. Infective juveniles: Body averaging 1,002 (880-1,133) µm, EP (distance from anterior end to excretory pore) = 74 (66-83) µm; tail length = 83 (65-91) µm, and E% (EP/tail length × 100) = 89.6 (78-114). Lateral field pattern variable, the formula for the arrangement of ridges from head to tail is: 2, 6, 7, 8, 4, 2. The portion with eight ridges is the longest. This new species can be differentiated further from three closest species (S. feltiae, S. glaseri, and S. oregonense) by characteristic sequences of their ITS regions, including sequence lengths, ratios of similarity, composition, and differences in base characters in sequence alignment.     

External morphology of Lagenidium giganteum zoospores (Oomycetes: Lagenidiales)

The external morphology of Lagenidium giganteum was studied with the aid of Nomarski differential interference microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and unidirectional shadow-casting techniques. Zoospores were ovoid, bluntly pointed and flattered on one side at the anterior end. On one side of the zoospore, a groove ran from end to end parallel to the long axis. Protruding from the groove were two flagella, a posterior whiplike flagellum and an anterior tinsel flagellum with lateral hair. Features of the zoospore surface included an irregular reticulate pattern of ridges and mounds marked by deep irregular pits scattered randomly over the zoospore surface.This investigation received financial support from UNDP/World bank/WHO Special Programme for research and training in Tropical Diseases under the Scientific Working Group on Biological Control of Vectors.Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station Contribution N 2287.     

野丁香属植物叶表皮形态特征研究

在光学显微镜和电子扫描显微镜下观察了茜草科(Rubiaceae)野丁香属(Leptodermis Wall.) 35种8变种植物的叶表皮微形态特征.结果表明,野丁香属植物叶表皮细胞为多边形或不规则形状,垂周壁平直、弓状或波状.气孔器全部位于下表皮,有辐射型、平列型两种,其中平列型较为普遍.表皮毛在上下表皮都有分布,有单...     

Comparison ofDactylotenium Willd. andEleusine Gaertn. Spermoderm patterns

Seeds ofDactyloctenium Willd. andEleusine Gaertn. may be distinguished from each other by spermoderm patterns.Dactyloctenium seeds are transversed by ridges crossed by wavy lines forming a verrucated, reticulate pattern.Eleusine seeds have a pitted, tuberculate spermoderm pattern.     

Description of two new Drepanomonas taxa and an account on features defining species in Drepanomonas Fresenius, 1858 (Ciliophora,Microthoracida)

Using standard methods, we describe two new Drepanomonas taxa: Drepanomonas hymenofera (Horváth 1956) nov. comb., which is composed of two (biogeographical?) subspecies, viz., D. hymenofera venezuelensis nov. subspec. and D. hymenofera hymenofera (Horváth 1956), was discovered in soil from Venezuela and Iceland, respectively. Both are comparatively large-sized (50 × 20 μm and 40 × 18 μm in vivo), differing in the cortex pattern and the structure of kineties 3 and 4. We agree with Corliss (1979) and Chardez (1990) that the genus Pseudocristigera, which was established by Horváth (1956) for Drepanomonas hymenofera, is a junior synonym of Drepanomonas. Drepanomonas vasta nov. spec., which was discovered in the mud of a tree hole in Austria, is a middle-sized species (35 × 18 μm) with thick body, wide left side ridges, a single anterior dikinetid in kinety 4, and an average of 99 basal bodies; it is unique in having the dorsal side much more flattened than the ventral side, thus being cuneate in transverse view. Ontogenetic data show that the ciliary pattern of Drepanomonas is homologous to that of Leptopharynx, specifically, the structure and origin of the postoral complex. Main features for distinguishing Drepanomonas species are discussed.     

Pattern formation and the fine structure of the developing cell wall in colonies of Pediastrum boryanum

A single-layered disc of peripheral pronged cells and central prongless cells impart the typical gear shape to colonies of Pediastrum, while the walls of each cell have a characteristic reticulate triangular pattern. The two-layered wall forms in the cells during colony formation following zoospore aggregation and adhesion. The uniformly thin outer layer reflects contours resulting from differential thickening in the reticulate pattern of the inner, thicker, more fibrillar and granular wall layer. The reticulate pattern thus imparted to the outer wall layer persists in empty zoosporangia following the release of zoospores. Columns of electron-dense material extend through the outer wall layer except at the ridges and centers of the reticulum. Following mitosis and cleavage, the resulting zoospores are extruded within a vesicle membrane consisting of the inner wall layer. Separation of this membrane from the parent cell occurs in material of the inner layer adjacent to the outer wall. Vesicles containing swarming zoospores also contain a granular material which appears to become associated with the aggregating and adhering cells of new colonies. Microtubules occur in zoospores prior to adherence but are absent during wall deposition.     

STRUCTURE OF THE PERIPLAST OF CRYPTOMONAS OVATA VAR. PALUSTRIS1,2

The periplast of Cryptomonas ovata var. palustris is composed of polygonal plates which are delineated by shallow ridges. A small ejectosome is located at each corner of the plate area. The plate areas vary in size; they are smallest at the anterior and posterior ends and are largest in the middle of the cell with an average length of 0.5 μ and of width 0.4 μ. In cross section a plate area is composed of 2 distinct layers, an outer plasma membrane layer with a fine particulate, appearance, and an inner layer consisting of two sheets. The sheets of the inner layer have a striated lattice pattern with a periodicity of about 20 nm. In negatively stained preparations one lattice appears to underlie another at certain angles. Protease digestion removed polygonal shaped inner layer.     

Morphology of Females and Cysts of Globodera tabacum tabacum,G. t. virginiae,and G. t. solanacearum (Nemata: Heteroderinae)

Detailed morphological comparisons with light and scanning electron microscopy were made of white females and cysts of several isolates of Globodera tabacum sspp. tabacum (GTT), virginiae (GTV), and solanacearum (GTS). Observations focused on body shape, anterior region including head shape, lip pattern, stylet morphology, and the terminal area in females; and body shape and terminal area of cysts. The most useful characters to separate the three subspecies were forms of the female body, cyst, stylet knobs, tail region, perineal tubercles, anal-fenestral ridge patterns, and the distinctiveness of the anus. GTT is characterized by having round females and cysts, sharply back sloped stylet knobs, clumped perineal tubercles in the vulval region, tight parallel ridges in the cyst anal-fenestral region, and a uniformly conoid tail region. GTV is characterized by its ovoid to ellipsoid female and cyst shape, the "Dutch shoe" shape of the dorsal stylet knob, the more dispersed perineal tubercles, a maze-like pattern of ridges in the anal-fenestral region, and an indistinct anus. GTS is characterized by its ovoid to ellipsoid female and cyst shape, moderately backward sloped stylet knobs, more widely separated ridges, a distinct anus, and a usually crescent shaped tail region. Much variability in shape and patterns is visible among all the isolates of the different subspecies. Tubercles in the neck, as well as bullae, are reported, and their taxonomic value is discussed.     

Biology of Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The biology of the fruit fly Bactrocera tau, an important horticultural pest, was studied under laboratory conditions at 25°C and 60–70% relative humidity on Cucurbita maxima. The duration of mating averaged 408.03 ± 235.93 min. After mating, the female fly had a preoviposition period of 11.7 ± 4.49 days. The oviposition rate was 9.9 ± 8.50 eggs and fecundity was 464.6 ± 67.98 eggs/female. Eggs were elliptical, smooth and shiny white, turning darker as hatching approached, and measured 1.30 ± 0.07 mm × 0.24 ± 0.04 mm. The chorion has polygonal microsculpturing and is species-specific with polygonal walls. The egg period lasts for 1.3 ± 0.41 days. The duration of the larval period is 1.2 ± 0.42, 1.7 ± 0.48 and 4.0 ± 0.94 days for first, second and third instars, respectively. Pupation occurs in the sand or soil and pupal periods are 7.0 ± 0.47 days. The life cycle from egg to adult was completed in 14.2 ± 1.69 days; the longevity of mated females and males was 130.33 ± 14.18 and 104.66 ± 31.21 days, respectively. At least two to three generations were observed from June 2008 to June 2009.     

Steinernema brazilense n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Mato Grosso, Brazil

A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema brazilense n. sp., was isolated from a single soil sample collected from a natural forest in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. S. brazilense n. sp. is characterized morphologically by features of infective juveniles (IJ), males and females. For the IJ, body length averaging 1157 (1023-1284) μm, distance from anterior end to excretory pore 95 (87-102) μm, from anterior end to end of esophagus 148 (139-153) μm, tail length 85 (80-104) μm, D% and E% values 63 (58-70) and 106 (95-118.0), respectively. Lateral field pattern variable; the formula for the arrangement of ridges from head to tail is: 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 2. For the male, the diagnostic characters include spicule averaging 83 (75-89) μm; D% about 65; the ratio SW% about 192. The length of spicule head is greater than width. Lateral field with one narrow ridge. First generation females are characterized by the presence of a ventral postanal swelling. S. brazilense n. sp. is morphologically close to Steinernema diaprepesi. It can be differentiated from S.diaprepesi by its longer IJ body length (1157 vs 1002 μm), longer distance from anterior end to excretory pore (110 vs 75 μm), a longer tail length (103 vs 83 μm); males of the new species with longer spicule (83 vs 79 μm). The new species can be distinguished further from other members of Steinernema glaseri group by characteristics of rDNA of ITS and D2D3 regions.     

Micromorphology of fruits and seeds of Iranian Geranium (Geraniaceae), and its systematic significance

The fruit and seed micromorphology of 22 species of Geranium, representing the eight sections of the genus represented in Iran (G. sectt. Dissecta, Geranium, and Tuberosa of subgen. Geranium; sectt. Batrachioidea, Divaricata, Lucida, Ruberta and Trilopha of subgen. Robertium), have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Macro‐ and micromorphological characters, including fruit and seed shape, size, color, hair type and density, mericarp ornamentations, hilum position, seed coat pattern, epidermal cell shape, and anticlinal and periclinal cell walls, are presented. Two microsculpturing patterns are recognized on the mericarp surface: reticulate and pusticulate. The micromorphology of the seed coat showed four distinctive cell patterns. The seed epidermis is constructed either of polygonal, elongated polygonal, or square to rectangular cells. The polygonal type is the most common among the studied species, but the variation in testa cell characters, their size and shape, may provide further information and useful diagnostic characters at specific and infraspecific rank. The shape and color of the seeds are, however, of little systematic value. Fruit characters were found to be important for separating taxa at infrageneric rank and our results show that the species can be separated into subgenera and sections based on fruit morphology.     

Nahecaris stuertzi,a phyllocarid crustacean from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate

Restudy ofNahecaris based on new stereo radiographs and re-examination of actual specimens has added the following new information.Nahecaris ranges in shape from long and slender to short and stout, the carapace from deep and rounded to long and narrow. Carapace ornament consists either of thin ridges parallel to the ventral border or inclined rows of irregular lines or cusps, but these characters cannot be consistently correlated with other variables to permit definition of separate species. The carapace is fused to the head, and possibly to the anterior end to the thorax in the area in front of the median dorsal plate. A post-mandibular pyritised band may represent the carapace adductor muscle, which inserts on the mesolateral carinae. The mandible resembles that ofCeratiocaris, while the maxillae are like those of extant leptostracans. The 8 thoracopods are biramous: they have an exopod with finger-like lobes and a stenopodous endopod. Posteriorly the endopods reduce markedly, forming a conical, anteriorly open feeding basket. The predominance of dorso-ventrally flattened specimens, and the wide ventral gape of the carapace valves suggests those valves were spread apart in life.Nahecaris may have pressed itself to the substrate by flexing the carapace rim outward and incurving the ventral region of the carapace. The stout second antennae may have stabilised and propelled the animal over the substrate.Nahecaris is thought to have been benthic and to have fed, likeCeratiocaris, by lifting the substrate into suspension, as well as by picking up large fragments directly with the mandibles.     

Seed morphological diversity of Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae) and its taxonomic significance

Mature seeds of 109 species of Pedicularis representing 13 groups according to Tsoong’s infra-generic classification were investigated using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The largest seeds occurred in P. superba (4.82 ± 0.32 mm × 2.18 ± 0.18 mm) and the smallest in P. crenata (0.95 ± 0.16 mm × 0.72 ± 0.08 mm). The individual seed weight ranged from 0.20 to 9.52 mg. There were two types of primary ornamentation, i.e. reticulate and undulate. Reticulate seeds were found in all examined species except for P. pantlingii and P. confluens. The reticulate seeds were divided into three subtypes, i.e. cristate-reticulate, regular-reticulate and membranous-reticulate. Among them, the cristate-reticulate and the undulate primary ornamentation are firstly reported. The inner tangential wall ornamentation was categorized into granulate, ruminate or striate. Seed characters seem to support the transfer of Pedicularis to Orobanchaceae from traditional Scrophulariaceae. Seed length, individual seed weight, primary ornamentation and inner tangential wall ornamentation were considered as potentially useful characters for infra-generic classification. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses indicated a clustering of some species in group 1 (Sceptrum) and all species in group 6 (Cyathophora), respectively. However, seed data were not highly congruent with Tsoong’s classification for delimitation of existing groups. Some characters, such as seed shape, primary ornamentation, inner tangential wall ornamentation and epidermal cell shape could be applied to identification of some species in this genus.     

Morphology of the egg shell and the developing embryo of the Red Palm Weevil,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver)

The harvested eggs of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus are ovo-cylindrical shaped, averaged 1.09 mm in length and 0.43 mm in width, with ratio of L\W 4.42. The chorionic layer of electron dense material is seen covering the exochorion structure of the eggs. The egg main body chorion exhibits a polygonal pattern and architecture surface of the egg is supported by a system of irregular interconnecting grooves. The micropylar apparatus of the eggs of the Red Palm Weevil, R. ferrugineus is described in the present study for the first time. Two micropylar openings are found closed to the center of the posterior wide pole of the egg. Each micropylar opening presents a single small orifice and its surrounding chorion is porous and densely set with tiny projections allowing the spermatozoa to penetrate the egg. Respiratory aeropyles are distributed on the borders of reticulations in the area chorionic surface of egg capsule. The hatching region is detected on the anterior part at the opposite side of the egg. Changes in the appearance and shape of R. ferrugineus eggs as well as the incidence of embryonic development are observed.     

Micromorphological studies on Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae) in Iran with emphasis on seed surface, capsule ornamentation and trichomes

Seed micromorphology in 22 species, capsule surface in 28 species and capsule hairs in 20 species of genus Verbascum distributed in Iran were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The seed surface is ridged or alveolate among the studied species. Depth and density of the alveoli or ridges, size of polygonal cells along with arrangement of vesicles on the walls separating the polygonal cells on the seed surface seem to be species-specific in Verbascum. The capsule surface is striate, distinctly or indistinctly, or even smooth in Verbascum. The capsules are rarely glabrous (in V. orientale and V. intricatum), densely covered by branched hairs, or loosely by glandular hairs, depending on species. From the results of this study it is obvious that no correlation exists between the studied species concerning the micromorphological aspects studied here.