The fine structure of the sperm bundles of the coccid,Aspidiotus perniciosus Cumst., and sperm movement

The mature sperm of A. perniciosus are organized into bundles, about 350 μm long by 9–10 μm wide. Each bundle contains 32 sperm enclosed by a common sheath. The sperm contains an elongated ‘central core’, representing nuclear material, surrounded by a spiral microtubular sheath and cytoplasm. The electron-dense nuclear material is localized in the more pointed half of the sperm. The spiral microtubular sheath is composed of 30— 100 microtubules (depending on the cross-sectional level), situated parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sperm. On the basis of this ultrastructural organization, the motility of the sperm and sperm bundle as a whole is discussed. The sperm of A. perniciosus provide strong evidence that the microtubules arranged asymmetrically represent the elements directly involved in sperm motility.     

Soral crypsis: protective mimicry of a coccid on an Indian fern

Herbivory with crypsis is not well documented in ferns. The present record of cryptic coloration of coccid Saissetia filicum Boisduval (Homoptera: Coccidae) to the sori of a fern species Asplenium nidus L. (Aspleniaceae) is unique. Predatory beetles (Jauravia sp., Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) that feed on the coccids, are suggested to be selective pressure for the development of the present homopteran soral crypsis. A higher rate of effective predation is noticed in the vegetative leaves than the fertile leaves. Aggressive ants were found harvesting honeydew secretions from the coccids and defending the trophobionts as well as the host fern from their natural enemies. In addition, a possible three-way mutualistic relationship among the coccids, its host fern and the tending ant is suggested. Differential numbers of coccids on vegetative and fertile leaves is correlated with their phenol content and degree of predation by beetles. Such coloration mimicry by the coccids may enable them to obtain the necessary blend of sorus of the host fern needed to evade beetle detection and attack.     

寄主为蚧的层束梗孢一新记录种

在贵州茂兰国家自然保护区发现寄生蚧壳虫的层束梗孢属真菌gzuifr-hym201307jk。主要特征为孢梗束灰白色单生,14¹7 mm×0.9 mm,产孢细胞柱状向上收缩变尖,顶部具有117 mm×0.9 mm,产孢细胞柱状向上收缩变尖,顶部具有1³个叉状的产孢小颈,大小10.83个叉状的产孢小颈,大小10.8¹4.0×4.314.0×4.3⁵.4μm;分生孢子梭形,7.65.4μm;分生孢子梭形,7.6¹0.8×4.310.8×4.3⁵.4μm。经鉴定该真菌为中国新记录种——Hymenostilbe furcata。