The functional morphology of the feeding and grooming appendages of Ebalia tuberosa (Pennant) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Leucosiidae)

Summary

Ebalia tuberosa feeds mainly on small invertebrates but will also scavenge. The morphology of the feeding and grooming appendages is described paying particular attention to the structure and distribution of the setae. The movements of the various appendages during feeding are analysed. The mouthparts function in manipulating, grasping and cutting the food; in forming setal screens which prevent food from falling out of the mouth region; in creating water currents to waft away rejected material; and in cleaning each other. Setal structure is correlated with function. Those appendages which manipulate the food are armed with cuspidate and serrate setae while those which hold the food string steady during cutting carry plumodenticulate setae. Plumodenticulate and serrulate setae of various types make up two buccal setal screens, one transverse and the other longitudinal. The rejection current is generated by the flagella of the exopodites of the 1st and 2nd maxillipeds which bear long plumose setae. The main cleaning appendages are the 3rd maxillipeds whose distal segments bear serrate setae. In addition, various appendages bear fields of plumodenticulate setae which brush and clean adjacent surfaces during the normal feeding movements of the mouthparts.     

A re-examination of Periclimenes (Hamiger) novae-zealandiae Borradaile, 1916, and recognition of the pontoniine shrimp genus Hamiger,Borradaile

The syntypes of Periclimenes (Hamiger) novae-zealandiae Borradaile, 1916, the only known specimens, from off North Cape, New Zealand, are redescribed and illustrated. Placed by Kemp (1922) in the genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, 1915, the species is now removed from that genus and Borradaile's subgenus Hamiger is raised to generic status for its reception. The male specimen is designated as lectotype. The specimens are held in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History).

The genus Hamiger is most closely related to the genera Thaumastocaris Kemp, 1922, and Orthopontonia Bruce, 1982, both monospecific genera, known to associate with sponges. It is considered that H. novae-zealandiae is probably also a sponge associate and that Palaemonetes natalensis Stebbing, 1915 may be closely related.     

The Male Reproductive System and Spermatophore Formation in Pagurus novae-zealandiae (Dana) (Anomura: Paguridea)

Summary

An account is given of the anatomy and histology of the vas deferens and of spermatophore development. The vas deferens differs from that of other pagurids except P. timidus in having only one of the usual two opposed coils/spirals between which fragmentation of the continuous sperm sheath into discrete capsules occurs. The functions of these two regions occur within the single coil in P. novae-zealandiae, including capsule formation which is a result of muscular activity rather than of change in curvature of the vas deferens. Functional regions of the vas deferens are compared with those known for other members of the genus. Spermatophores are released in groups of 2–14 attached to a common pedestal. Each spermatophore has the capsule sheath elongated basally to form a stalk elevating it above the pedestal and is regarded as pedunculate. This condition is discussed in relation to other hermit crabs.     

The structure and function of the adhesive organs on the antennae of male Harpocera thoracica (Fallen) (Miridae; Hemiptera)

Summary

S.E.M. micrographs of unusual setae on the male antennae, and of the female pronotum in Harpocera thoracica (Fallen) (Miridae; Hemiptera) are presented. The adhesive function and positioning of the male antennae on the female's pronotum during pairing is discussed.     

A description of Ucides occidentalis Ortmann, 1897 (Crustacea : Decapoda : Ocypodidae) zoea I.

ABSTRACT

In order to facilitate the ecological study of the economically important red mangrove crab Ucides occidentalis, we describe the zoea I phase using samples hatched from gravid females taken from the Guayas River Estuary of Ecuador. No other phases of this species’ larval development have been described. The morphological differences between this developmental phase in U. occidentalis and its single congener U. cordatus that may be diagnostic include the number of segments in the pleon, the setation pattern of the basial endopodite of the maxillule, and, in maxillipeds I and II, the segmentation of the terminal plumose natatory setae.     

A revision of the Chinese species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): parasitoids of whiteflies,scale insects and aphids (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae,Diaspididae, Aphidoidea)

The species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) known from China are revised. This study is based largely on newly-collected material from Fujian and Guangdong provinces in mainland China, and from the island of Taiwan. A total of 76 species are treated, including 29 new species, one new combination and 16 new records for China. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated. Three new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. Four species are described from males only, three belonging to the perflava-group (ancistrocera, echinocera, viggianii), having modified antennae, and one (magnivena) in the strenua-group having very unusual fore wings. A key to the Chinese species of Encarsia, based largely on females, is provided.     

The deltocephaline leafhopper genus Hishimonoides in the Indian subcontinent (Homoptera)

The genus Hishimonides and the species Hishimonoides orientalis Mahmood are redefined. Three new species of the genus, namely H. arbudae (from Rajasthan: Mount Abu), H. bougainvilleae (from Karnataka: Bangalore; Tamil Nadu: Burliar) and H. setosus (from Karnataka: Bandipur; Rajasthan: Mount Abu) are described and illustrated. A key to the seven species known in the genus is given. H. bougainvilleae was found on Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. (Nyctaginaceae).     

Notices

Summary

An analysis was made of morphometric differences between complementary antennae of females of three Culicoides species: C. pulicaris, C. punctatus and C. impunctatus. Greater bilateral symmetry was found between compound lengths e.g. total length, length of segments 3–10, than between individual segment lengths, suggesting control by a homeostatic mechanism.

Hypotheses are proposed for the embryological origin and functional significance of this phenomenon. The taxonomic significance of the results is discussed.     

Further new species within the freshwater amphipod genus Paramelita (Crangonyctoidea: Paramelitidae) from South Africa

Four new species within the crangonyctoid amphipod genus Paramelita are described from material collected from small streams in the southwestern Cape, South Africa. Two of the species are large, with robust second antennae which exceed the first in length, especially in adult males. The third species is recognized by its slender pereopods and its densely setose second antennae, and the fourth by its small size and relatively short, slender, unmodified second antennae. All of these species have an unmodified pereopod 3, and lack teeth, spines, ridges or lobes on antenna 2, features common to many of the known Paramelita species. Morphological similarities between the four new species and 19 previously known species of Paramelita are discussed.     

A new heteromorphic deutonymph (Hypopus) of a sarcoptiform mite parasitic under the skin of a toucan

Summary

A study of the form and functioning of Philine angasi and Philine auriformis. Philine angasi feeds on the bivalve Chione stutchburyi by extrusion of the buccal bulb. The radula is degenerate and plays no part in the ingestion of food. Philine auriformis ingests Nucula hartvigiana, the buccal bulb acting as a suction pump. The buccal bulb is not eversible and the buccal mass carries the prey from the buccal cavity to the oesophagus. The feeding and form of these species are compared with that of Philine aperta. It is shown that the musculature of the buccal region is modified to suit the different feeding methods.     

Notes on Simulium ovazzae Grenier and Mouchet (Diptera: Simuliidae) and river crabs (Malacostraca: Potamidae) and their association

Summary

Collections of crabs in the forest zone of West Cameroon produced three species—Potamonautes africanus, P. orthostylis and P. pobeguini. The P. africanus carried populations of immature Simulium ovazzae.

Analysis of crabs collected by hand and those collected in traps indicates very little overlap in the sizes of the crabs obtained by the two techniques. This problem is discussed.

The infestation rates of S. ovazzae on P. africanus were found to be highest on medium-sized crabs. The attachment sites of the S. ovazzae on the crabs were found to vary with both the size of the crab and the size of the Simulium larva.

The size distributions of S. ovazzae larvae on small crabs were found to be different from those on medium and large crabs. The characteristic deficiency of smaller larvae on medium and large crabs reported for other crab-phoretic species was also found with S. ovazzae but the smaller crabs showed a deficiency of larger larvae. A hypothesis is put forward to explain the dearth of larger larvae on the smaller crabs and the higher infestation rate on medium crabs.

S. ovazzae are shown to arrive on their hosts as single larvae carried by the current.

Six adult S. ovazzae were reared from pupae in the laboratory. Small numbers of presumed S. ovazzae biting man in Cameroon are reported.     

Systematic study on the barracudas (Pisces: Sphyraenidae) from a northern sector of the South China Sea

Summary

The paper here provides an effective key for separation of species of the genus Sphyraena Röse from the northern part of the South China Sea for both taxonomic and field identifications. Six species, namely S. barracuda (Walbaum, 1792), S. jello Cuvier, 1829, S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860, S. pinguis Günther, 1874, S. toxeuma Fowler, 1904, and S. africana Gilchrist and Thompson, 1909, are listed in the key. All except S. barracuda were found during this study. Generic and species problems are discussed and comparisons of each species are made with closely related forms. The species names adopted in this paper are also explained. The first record of S. novaehollandiae from this area is reported.     

A survey of the genus Stegana Meigen from southern Japan (Diptera,Drosophilidae), with descriptions of three new species

Nine species of genus Stegana from southern Japan, including three new species, S. (Oxyphortica) nigripennis Hendel, S. (Steganina) ctenaria Nishiharu, S. (Steganina) izu Sidorenko, S. (Steganina) kanmiyai Okada and Sidorenko, S. (Steganina) masanoritodai Okada and Sidorenko, S. (Steganina) ornatipes Wheeler and Takada, S. (Oxyphortica) dendrobium sp. nov., S. (Steganina) biprotrusa sp. nov. and S. (Steganina) bacilla sp. nov. are surveyed and described with designation of a new synonym S. (Steganina) maymyo Sidorenko. A key to all species of genus Stegana from southern Japan is provided.     

Poecilostome copepods (Lichomolgidae) associated with the scleractinian coral Galaxea in the Moluccas

Summary

Nine species of Scirtothrips are here recorded from the Australasian region, eight from Australia and two including one endemic species from New Zealand. A key is provided for their identification, and diagnostic details and collection notes are given for each species. Two new species, S. casuarinae and S. helenae are described from Australia and one new synonym, S. gladiiseta Girault = Dendrothripoides ipomeae Bagnall, is recorded.     

Microscopic morphology of the antennule and antenna of the marine isopod Cirolana harfordi

ABSTRACT

The use of scanning electron microscopy on the cuticle outgrowths called setae (that contain sensilla) in crustaceans is useful for, understanding how crustacean species sense their environment and for taxonomic studies. So far, most of the setal morphology studies have been performed on decapod crustaceans such as lobsters and shrimps and there has been a comparative lack of such research on marine isopods, from which terrestrial isopods such as woodlice or slaters have evolved. In the current study, electron microscopy was used to study the antennal setae of the marine isopod Cirolana harfordi using magnification powers of up to 40, 000. C. harfordi displayed a number of setal types including setae that had a sub-terminal pore that contained a cupule-shaped structure and plumose setae which are pennate in structure and have two rows of setules along the setal shaft in a fashion analogous to a palm leaf. These plumose setae may be useful to the animal in detecting water currents. Differences in the structure and placement of setae on the antennae of C. harfordi as compared to two other marine isopods, Bathynomus pelor and Natatolana borealis (that have had a comprehensive study of antennae setal morphology performed on them in previous studies) indicate that scanning electron microscopy of isopod setae may be useful in taxonomic studies of isopods.     

Review of the Japanese flatfishes of the genus Samariscus,with the description of a new species from Tonking Bay

Summary

The genus Samariscus of the right eye flounder has thirteen known species including the two described here. A key is given to all the species, and the Japanese forms are reviewed. Samariscus japonicus Kamohara and S. latus Matsubara and Takamuki live in somewhat deeper water, 100 to 200 metres. A certain isopod parasite is often found in the branchial cavity of the ocular side of S. japonicus. S. xenicus n. sp. from Kochi frequents a depth of about 20 metres in the littoral zone. Kamohara's S. huysmani is relegated to synonymy of this new species. Also a flatfish from Tonking Bay represents a new species described herein as S. asanoi.     

Two new species of the genus Microstigmus Ducke (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea)

Summary

Five species of tettigoniid of the Decticine genus, Platycleis (sensu stricto), are found in the environs of Montpellier, Hérault, S. France. P. intermedia, P. sabulosa and P. albopunctata are essentially early-evening singers. There is a nycthemeral cycle of vertical migration in these three species—they sing from a greater height than that at which they rest during the daytime. P. affinis and P. falx sing both during the day and during the evening. As the syllables of the songs of the five species are similar, and since these insects sing at the same time of year and at least during the evening, interspecific acoustic interference would seem likely. However, such interference appears to be avoided by spatial separation of singing individuals (the males only). The difference in habitat preferences may be so distinct that two species do not occur in the same locality (e.g. P. falx and P. albopunctata). Where two species do occur in one local area, one of them is generally confined to one type of vegetation (e.g. P. intermedia in the bushes) and the other to another type (e.g. P. affinis on the open ground). Differences in chirp types, and in the specific response to particular song patterns, mean that ethological barriers as well as ecological ones would appear to prevent heterospecific matings. However, prevention of acoustic interference between allospecific males seems to be brought about mainly by habitat-preference differences. In one species pair, P. falx and P. affinis, the habitat-preference difference is very slight, and their songs are similar. These facts, coupled with the impression that the range and abundance of P. affinis are increasing, while those of P. falx are decreasing, suggest that P. affinis is supplanting P. falx in the open areas of wasteland in the Montpellier area.