What constitutes optical warning signals of ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) towards bird predators: colour,pattern or general look?

Most ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) possess chemical protection against predators and signal its presence by less or more conspicuous coloration, which can be considered as a warning. Most ladybirds possess a dotted pattern, althougn the number, shape, and size of the spots, as well as their colour, varies considerably. Almost all ladybirds have a characteristic general appearance (body shape). We considered these traits to be used in ladybird recognition by avian predators. In the present study, we compared the reactions of avian predators ( Parus major ) caught in the wild, to four differently coloured ladybird beetles ( Coccinella septempunctata , Exochomus quadripustulatus , Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata , and Cynegetis impunctata ) and two artificial modifications of C. septempunctata ; the first was deprived of their elytral spotted pattern by painting it brown, the other had their elytra removed (i.e. altering their general ladybird appearance). Ladybirds with a spotted pattern were attacked less frequently than unspotted ones. Ladybirds with removed elytra were attacked much more often than any ladybird with a preserved general appearance. The results obtained in the present study suggest the high importance of the spotted pattern as well as general appearance in the ladybird recognition process. Additional experiments with naïve birds (hand-reared P. major ) demonstrated the innateness of the aversion to two differently spotted ladybird species ( C. septempunctata and Scymnus frontalis ).  © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 98 , 234–242.     

The problematic Hadimopanella, Kaimenella, Milaculum and Utahphospha identified as sclerites of Palaeoscolecida

Hinz, I., Kraft, P., Mergl, M. & Müller, K. J. 1990 04 15: The problematic Hadimopanella, Kaimenella, Milaculum and Utahphospha identified as sclerites of Palaeoscolecida. Lefhaia , Vol. 23 , pp. 217–221. Oslo. ISSN 024–1164.
Hadimopanella Gedik, 1 977 , Kaimenella Marss, 1988 and Milaculum Müller, 1973 have been established on the basis of isolated elements of unknown origin. Recently, the latter genus has been tentatively related to the Agnatha (van den Boogaard 1988). By contrast, Bendix-Almgreen & Peel (1988) assigned Hadimopanella to the chordate stock but definitely excluded it from vertebrates. Well-preserved worm-like organisms of Palaeoscolecida Conway Morris & Robison. 1986 are known from the Lower Cambrian to the Lower Ordovician. They have their outer surface covered with a pattern of sequin-like sclerites which evidence the systematic affiliation with the isolated sclerites mentioned above. Based on similar structures on the outer surface, Utahphospha Miiller & Miller, 1976 is considered to belong to the same group. * Early Palaeozoic fossils, Palaeoscolecida, isolated sclerites, phosphatization .     

Postcranial anatomy and habits of Asian multituberculate mammals

Kielan-Jaworowska, Z. & Gambaryan, P.P. 1994 12 15: Postcranial anatomy and habits of Asian multituberculate mammals. Fossils and Strata     

Post-engorgement dynamics of haemagglutination activity in the midgut of phlebotomine sandflies

Abstract. Haemagglutination activity (HA) was studied in gut extracts of both sexes of adults of six sandfly species. HA was sex dependent, with the activity in males more than 50 times lower man that of unfed females. In females, high HA was demonstrable in both the thoracic and abdominal midgut but not in the hindgut. In unfed flies the activity was similar in the midgut wall and the gut contents whereas, in fed females, a high increase was seen in the midgut contents. After blood-feeding, HA was elevated, reaching peak titres 2 days later and then falling to the base level or less immediately after defaecation. The magnitude of the HA response differed according to species, ranging from 2-fold in Lutzomyia carmelinoi up to 16-fold in Phlebotomus duboscqi. Quantitative differences between sandflies in their HA response may influence their ability to support the development of Leishmania spp.