Sperm morphology and phylogeny of lagriids (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae)

The systematics of tenebrionids remain unclear, principally at the subfamily level, as is the case of the Lagriinae. Considering that sperm morphology has contributed to the various insect group phylogenies, in this work we describe the structure and ultrastructure of these cells in Lagria villosa. Sperm in this species exhibit a strong morphological similarity to those of Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum, the only two species of Tenebrionidae with previously described sperm. In tenebrionids, the flagellar components offer good diagnostic characters, e.g. the symmetry of mitochondrial derivatives in L. villosa differentiates sperm of this species from those of Te. molitor and Tr. castaneum. However, the lateral association of the nucleus with flagellar components, the form of accessory bodies, and the presence of material connecting the axoneme to the accessory bodies and mitochondrial derivatives indicate that the three species form a sister group. Therefore, the sperm morphology of L. villosa support lagriid beetles as a subfamily (Lagriinae) of Tenebrionidae.     

Human Sting of Cephalonomia gallicola (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) in Korea

Hymenoptera stings can cause serious injury to humans. We report the clinical findings of 6 cases of Hymenoptera stings. All patients developed painful erythematous papules at the sting sites and had a past history of parasitoid wasp sting. This is the first clinical report of the parasitoid wasp, Cephalonomia gallicola, causing human stings in Korea.     

中国齿肿腿蜂属一新种记述(膜翅目:肿腿蜂科)

记述了采自我国福建省漳州市的齿肿腿蜂属OdontepyrisKieffer,190 4一新种 :福建齿肿腿蜂O .fu jianussp .nov .,并编制了中国齿肿腿蜂属分种检索表。在目前已知的齿肿腿蜂属 2 6种中 ,有 4种前翅无盘室 ,包括 :OdontepyrisventralisKrombein ,1996 (斯里兰卡 )、六龟齿肿腿蜂O .liukueiensisTerayama ,1997(中国台湾 )、O .marishiTerayama ,1999(日本 )和福建齿肿腿蜂O .fujianussp .nov .。但是 ,福建齿肿腿蜂与O .ventralis的区别为前者头部有刻点 ,与O .liukueiensis的区别为前者头部后缘明显凹入 ,与O .marishi的区别为前者头部后缘明显凹入和触角第 3节较短。正模♀ ,福建漳州 ,1987 0 4 ,林乃铨采 ,编号 984 82 6。模式标本保存于浙江大学植物保护系寄生蜂标本室。     

中国全肿腿蜂属种类记述(膜翅目,肿腿蜂科)

系统研究了我国全肿腿蜂属HolepyrisKieffer,190 4的种类 ,记录 7新种中国 2新纪录种和 1已知种共 10种 ,包括采自山东、浙江、福建、台湾和贵州的热海全肿腿蜂H .atamiensis (Ashmead) ,采自河南的瘦全肿腿蜂H .macilentussp .nov .,采自福建的角唇全肿腿蜂H .angulatussp .nov .,采自山东的黄足全肿腿蜂H .fulvussp .nov .,采自浙江和甘肃的褐足全肿腿蜂H .fuscussp .nov .,采自浙江和福建的惹全肿腿蜂H .yambaruTerayama ,采自浙江的古田山全肿腿蜂H .gutianshanensissp .nov .,采自浙江和福建的中华全肿腿蜂H .sinensissp .nov .,采自山东的细胸全肿腿蜂H .susanowoTerayama和采自浙江的伊文思全肿腿蜂H .evansisp .nov .。全部模式标本保存于浙江大学植物保护系寄生蜂标本室。热海全肿腿蜂Holepyrisatamiensis (Ashmead ,190 4)(图 1～ 2 )分布 :中国 (山东 ,浙江 ,福建 ,台湾 ,贵州 ) ;日本。瘦全肿腿蜂 ,新种Holepyrismacilentussp .nov .(图 3～ 4,9)分布 :中国 (河南 )。鉴定标本 :正模♀ ,1998 0 7 14,河南内乡宝天曼 ,陈学新采 ,编号 98873 1。角唇全肿腿蜂 ,新种Holepyrisangulatussp .nov.(图 5～ 6)分布 :中国 (福建 )。鉴定标本 :正模♂ ,1994 0 7 14,福建武夷山桐木 ,陈学新采 ,编号 94     

中国扁肿腿蜂属一新种记述(膜翅目:肿腿蜂科)

记述了采自我国陕西省秦岭扁肿腿蜂属Parascleroderma Kieffer,1904 1新种：马氏扁肿腿蜂P.maae sp.mov.,并编制了中国扁肿腿蜂属分种检索表。在目前已知的中国扁肿腿蜂属的4种中,新种与分布于台湾的阿塔扁肿腿蜂Parascleroderma atayal Terayama,1998在外表上相似。但是新种的唇基前缘凹陷和并胸腹节背表面光滑等特征易于与后者区别。正模♂,陕西秦岭天台山（1800m),1998－06－10,马云和杜予州采,编号984176。模式标本保存于浙江大学寄生蜂标本室。     

The relationship of adult morphology and early social signalling of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

Most research on dog communication has focused on either the use of lupine signals during intra-specific interactions or has studied single-breed groups, with little regard to the effects of morphological change in the dog on their communication. This oversight ignores the fact that most modern dog breeds do not resemble the wolf and thus they have lost the ability to send some signals and may encounter communication problems. Using puppies in 40 litters from 32 breeds, we investigated the relationship between the frequencies of behaviours (social signals), and the adult morphology of these dogs. Despite a high level of precision, no statistically significant relationships were found between the deviation of the adult morphology from the ancestral lupine morphotype and early social signalling in the dog. We concluded that any communication loss due to morphological deviation, is not compensated for by increasing the frequency of signalling behaviours at this age.     

Sperm utilisation by Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae) queens subjected to multiple mating

Summary In most Hymenoptera species the queen mates once but in a small number of species, multiple matings can occur normally. So, in this study, physogastric M. quadrifasciata queens were mated with a second male to investigate how these queens, naturally inseminated and laying eggs, use spermatozoa stored in their spermatheca, when they are mated with a second male. Results demonstrate that spermatozoa of different males mix in the spermatheca of M. quadrifasciata queens and that there is a gradual increase in the utilisation of spermatozoa of the second male, which could be explained by a competition among spermatozoa of different drones over the way in which spermatozoa are stored in the spermatheca.     

Potential non-target effects of Sclerodermus harmandi (Hymenoptera:Bethylidae) on Triaspis sp. (Hymenoptera:Braconidae)

Sclerodermus harmandi (Buysson) (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is a generalist parasitoid that has been mass-produced and released for biological control of many agricultural and forest pests in China. However, few studies have examined the potential non-target risks of this parasitoid in targeted agriculture or forest ecosystems. In this study, we demonstrate that S. harmandi successfully attacks Triaspis sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an important native natural enemy of the pine weevil pest Pissodes punctatus Langor et Zhang in Yunnan Province of China. When exposed to older larvae of Triaspis sp. at three different parasitoid-to-host group sizes (1:1, 2:2 and 3:3) with a constant 1:1 parasitoid-to-host ratio, S. harmandi successfully attacked 100%, 75% and 83.3% of the test larvae, respectively. All life stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult) of S. harmandi were observed on Triaspis sp. larvae, indicating that Triaspis sp. are suitable for the completion of S. harmandi development. There were no significant differences in the number of S. harmandi progeny produced among the different parasitoid-to-host exposure treatments. Immature stages of S. harmandi on parasitized Triaspis sp. took 25.4 days to complete their development (the egg stage: 3.6 days, the larval stage: 5.0 days, the pupal stage: 16.5 days). Together, results from our study indicate that mass-releases of S. harmandi for biological control of forest pests in Yunnan Province may adversely affect some valuable non-target insects such as Triaspis sp. We suggest that the potential non-target risk of S. harmandi be considered in future augmentative release biological control programmes against forest pests.     

The larval head morphology of Xyela sp. (Xyelidae, Hymenoptera) and its phylogenetic implications

Larval head structures of Xyela sp. are described in detail. The characters are compared to conditions found in larvae of other groups of Hymenoptera and Endopterygota. Like other symphytan larvae the immature stages of Xyelidae are mainly characterized by presumably plesiomorphic features of the head. The head sutures are well developed and all parts of the tentorium are present. The labrum is free and a complete set of labral muscles is present. The maxillae are in a retracted position. In contrast to other hymenopteran larvae Xyela possesses a clypeofrontal suture, a comparatively long antenna and three well‐developed antennal muscles. Apomorphic features of Xyela are the absence of muscles associated with the salivarium and the complete absence of Musculus craniocardinalis. A clade comprising Orussidae and Apocrita is supported by the unsegmented maxillary and labial palps and the absence of the lacinia. Six potential autapomorphies for the Hymenoptera were revealed: (1) the caudal tentorial apodeme, (2) the bifurcated tendon of Musculus craniomandibularus internus, (3) the lateral lobe of the cardo, (4) the origin of M. tentoriohypopharyngalis from the posterior head capsule, (5) the exceptionally strong prepharyngo‐pharyngeal longitudinal muscle and (6) the longitudinal muscle of the silk press. The maxillolabial complex, the vestigial M. craniocardinalis and a distinctly developed labio‐hypopharyngeal lobe bearing the opening of the salivary duct are potential synapomorphies of Hymenoptera and Mecopterida. The globular, orthognathous head capsule, the modified compound eyes, the occipital furrow and the X‐shaped tentorium are features with unclear polarity shared by Hymenoptera and Mecoptera.     

寄甲肿腿蜂属三新种(膜翅目,肿腿蜂科)

记述了我国寄甲肿腿蜂亚科寄甲肿腿蜂属3新种和1新纪录种,新纪录种为采自台湾,裸眼寄甲肿腿蜂Epyris apicalis Smith,1874,新种为横沟寄甲肿腿蜂Epyris transver-sarius sp．nov．,闽寄甲肿腿蜂Epyris fujianensis sp．nov．和长头寄甲肿腿蜂Epyris avatus sp．nov．。编制了中国寄甲肿腿蜂属分种检索表。模式标本保存于浙江大学寄生蜂标本室。     

Taxonomy of Allobethylus Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) from southeastern Asia

Two new species of Allobethylus Kieffer, 1905 are described and illustrated. Allobethylus korystus sp. nov. from Thailand is characterized as having a mandible with four apical teeth, a clypeus with a trapezoidal frontal profile and a pronotal declivity with a conspicuous crest. The last two traits are new characteristics to the genus. Allobethylus lamprus sp. nov. from Myanmar is characterized as having a mandible with three apical teeth, a clypeus with a triangular frontal profile and a bidentate median lobe. Additionally, A. multicolor Kieffer is recorded for the first time from Thailand. An updated world key to the species of genus is also provided.     

寄生美洲大蠊卵鞘的浅沟长尾啮小蜂记述(膜翅目:姬小蜂科)

本文用图文简要记述了从美洲大蠊卵鞘中育出的浅沟长尾啮小蜂Aprostocetus asthenogmus (Waterston)的形态特征.这是该蜂在我国的首次报道,有望今后用于蜚蠊的生物防治.     

The ant-tribe Leptothoracini in Turkey (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Abstract

A review is given of the state of knowledge of the 16 or more species of the ant tribe Leptothoracini that are known to occur in Turkey, together with a map of the published records and a list of new finds.     

Sperm ultrastructure, morphometry, and abnormal morphology in American black bears (Ursus americanus)

The objective of this study was to describe sperm ultrastructure, morphometry, and abnormal morphology in American black bears. Electroejaculation was successful in 53.8% (7/13) of the attempts, but urine contamination was common. Epididymal sperm samples were also obtained from five bears. Sperm had a paddle-like head shape and the ultrastructure was similar to that of most other mammals. The most striking particularity of black bear sperm ultrastructure was a tightening of the nucleus in the equatorial region. Although the differences were not significant in all bears, the overall decrease in sperm nucleus dimensions during transport from the caput epididymis to the cauda suggested increasing compaction of the nucleus during maturation. For ejaculated sperm, nucleus length, width, and base width were 4.9, 3.7, and 1.8 μm, respectively, whereas sperm head length, width, and base width were 6.6, 4.8, and 2.3 μm, and midpiece, tail (including midpiece), and total sperm lengths were 9.8, 68.8, and 75.3 μm. Evaluation of sperm cytoplasmic droplets in the epididymis revealed that proximal droplets start migrating toward a distal position in the caput epididymis and that the process was mostly completed by the time sperm reached the cauda epididymis. The proportion of morphologically normal sperm in the ejaculate was 35.6%; the most prevalent sperm defects were distal cytoplasmic droplets and bent/coiled tails. The morphology of abnormal sperm and the underlying ultrastructural defects were similar to that in other large domestic animals thus suggesting similar underlying pathogenesis of specific sperm defects and similar effects on fertility.     

Leucine transport by the larval midgut of the parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera)

The larval midgut of the hymenopteran parasitoid Aphidius ervi accomplishes a large transport of nutrients from the lumen to the haemocoel, providing most of the organic molecules necessary for rapid insect development. l-amino acids in general, and leucine in particular, are efficiently accumulated in the larval body. We show here that the intact midgut of early 3rd instar larvae incubated in vitro can take up [³H]l-leucine from the basolateral side of the epithelium by transporters insensitive to the presence of monovalent cations. When the midgut is opened and the apical membrane of the absorbing epithelial cells is exposed to the medium containing radiolabelled leucine, a sodium-dependent uptake of the amino acid becomes apparent, disclosing the presence of a symport mechanism. Inhibition experiments of leucine uptake by a 100-fold excess of different amino acids, selected according to the properties of their side chain, revealed that this apical sodium-dependent mechanism is a broad spectrum transport system with a specialization for the absorption of aliphatic amino acids, that can also transfer glutamine and proline, but not phenylalanine, lysine and arginine. Altogether the experimental results obtained with intact- and open-gut preparations suggest that leucine transport across the basolateral membrane is mediated by both an uniporter and an obligatory amino acid exchange mechanism.