The distribution pattern of herbivory in a beech canopy

Abstract. (1) The spatial distribution pattern of herbivory by phyllophagous canopy arthropods in a 90-year-old beech stand was analysed.
(2) Two main patterns of spatial distribution were recorded. The leaf mining moths Phyllonorycter maestingella and Stigmella hemargyrella and the adult weevils Rhynchaenus fagi and Phyllobius argentatus mainly attacked the under-story and the latter species especially the low canopy in the central part of the stand. Mines of R. fagi chiefly occurred in the top of the overstory canopy or at the fringe of the stand. However, comparable distribution patterns are only expected in mature beech stands composed of distinct overstory and understory layers.
(3) The effect of the actual spatial distribution pattern of herbivory on photosynthesis, productivity, and transpiration of beech in the research stand is discussed. It is suggested that in some cases the shade leaves of the understory canopy may cushion the effect of herbivory in the beech stand.     

The peculiar Asian ghost moth genus Bipectilus Chu & Wang: taxonomy and systematic position (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae s.str.)

Abstract Bipectilus Chu & Wang, 1985, from China, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam is redescribed. Eight species are recognized in the genus; two were described previously ( Gorgopis unimacula Daniel and Bipectilus yunnanensis Chu & Wang) and six new species are named. A key to the males is provided and all species and their genitalia are described and illustrated. One new combination is established and one lectotype is designated. Observations on the cuticular anatomy of Bipectilus are presented. The monophyly of Bipectilus is supported by several autapomorphies but the genus also possesses many plesiomorphic traits including spurs on the hind tibia in some species. Bipectilus is placed in the Hepialidae s.str. and the autapomorphies of that taxon are summarized. It is concluded that Bipectilus represents an early lineage within the family, and possibly represents the sister-group of all other Hepialidae s.str. All Asian species originally placed in Gorgopis Hübner are removed from this endemic Afrotropical hepialid genus.     

Cellular responses of developing Fucus serratus embryos exposed to elevated concentrations of Cu2+

Elevated concentrations of Cu²⁺ can have inhibitory effects on early development in plants and algae by targeting specific cellular processes. In the present study the effects of elevated Cu²⁺ on developmental processes in embryos of the brown algae Fucus serratus (Phaeophyceae) were investigated. Elevated Cu²⁺ was shown to inhibit fixation of the zygotic polar axis but not its formation. Actin localization was unaffected by elevated Cu²⁺ but polarized secretion, which occurs downstream, was inhibited. Significant differences in tolerance to Cu²⁺ were observed for polarization and rhizoid elongation of embryos derived from adults from Cu²⁺‐contaminated and uncontaminated locations. Moderate Cu²⁺ exposure inhibited the generation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ signals in response to hypo‐osmotic shocks. In contrast, cytosolic Ca²⁺ was elevated by treatments with high [Cu²⁺] and this coincided with production of reactive oxygen species. The results indicate that direct effects on signalling processes involved in polarization and growth may in part explain complex, concentration‐dependent effects of Cu²⁺ on early development.     

Phenotypic differentiation and phylogenetic signal of wing shape in western European biting midges,Culicoides spp., of the subgenus Avaritia

In the past decade biting midges of the subgenus Avaritia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have been popular subjects of applied entomological studies in Europe owing to their implication as biological vectors in outbreaks of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. This study uses a combination of cytochrome oxidase subunit I barcode sequencing and geometric morphometric analyses to investigate wing shape as a means to infer species identification within this subgenus. In addition the congruence of morphological data with different phylogenetic hypotheses is tested. Five different species of the subgenus Avaritia were considered in the study (C. obsoletus (Meigen); C. scoticus Kettle and Lawson; C. chiopterus (Meigen); C. dewulfi Goetghebuer and C. imicola (Kieffer)). The study demonstrated that over 90% of individuals could be separated correctly into species by their wing shape and that patterns of morphological differentiation derived from the geometric morphometric analyses were congruent with phylogenies generated from sequencing data. Morphological data produced are congruent with monophyly of the subgenus Avaritia and the exclusion of C. dewulfi from the group containing C. obsoletus, C. scoticus and C. chiopterus. The implications of these results and their importance in a wider context of integrating multiple data types to interpret both phylogeny and species characterization is discussed.     

Larval and Adult Characters in Animal Phytogeny

SYNOPSIS. Protostomes and deuterostomes can be characterizedby two completely separate sets of characters. Protostome charactersare downstream- collecting ciliary bands with compound ciliaon multiciliate cells and central nervous system with apicalbrain and ventral paired or fused cords; spiral cleavage isonly found in the protostome group Spiralia. Deuterostome charactersare upstream-collecting ciliary systems with separate ciliaon monociliate cells, dorsal central nervous system and lossof the larval apical organ in the adults, and archimery withprosome, mesosome and metasome. Only the ectoproct bryozoanslack all the justmentioned characters; they are referred tothe protostomes on basis of their metamorphosis which resemblesthat of entoprocts. The two bilateral groups have probably evolvedindependently from a radial, gastraea-like ancestor