Observations on the morphology and classification of weevils (Coleoptera,Curculionoidea) with a key to major groups

A brief account of the present state of weevil taxonomy is followed by a detailed study of certain structures used in their classification, namely the venter, abdominal tergites, sternite 8 of the male, apex of the hind tibia and deciduous mandibular processes. A key to some 50 families and subfamilies of Curculionoidea is followed by a list of family-group taxa. The following changes are made: Brachyceridae, Erirhinidae, Cryptolaryngidae and Raymondionymidae are promoted to family rank from Curculionidae; Antliarhininae is demoted to a subfamily of Brentidae, and Allocoryninae to a subfamily of Oxycorynidae; Coptonotini is demoted to a tribe of Curculionidae-Scolytinae; Carinae, Subfam. n. is erected for Car Blackburn (genus incertae sedis) is Belidae; Dinomorphini is demoted to a tribe of Molytinae and Brachyceropsidinae is revived from synonymy with Dinomorphinae (Curculionidae); Brachyderini, Eremnini, Otiorhynchini and Sitonini are demoted to tribes of Entiminae; Desmidophorinae is transferred from Brentidae to Brachyceridae; Ocladiini is promoted to a tribe of Desmidophorinae (from Curculionidae-Cryptorhynchinae); Campyloscelini (including Phaenomerina) is transferred from Rhynchophoridae to Curculionidae-Zygopinae; Carphodicticinae is promoted to subfamily rank and transferred from Curculionidae-Scolytinae to Platypodidae; Perieges Schönherr is transferred from Curculionidae-Thecesterninae to Cryptolaryngidae and Agriochaeta Pascoe from Cryptorhynchinae to Hyperinae (Curculionidae); Schedlarius Wood and Mecopelmus Blackman are transferred from Coptonotidae to Platypodidae.     

Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) seed-predators of Syzygium and Eugenia spp. (Myrtaceae), with description of the Alcidodes expansitarsis species group (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Mecysolobini)

The weevils known to develop in Syzygium and Eugenia (Myrtaceae) fruit are reviewed. These weevils belong to the genera Curculio, Alcidodes, Acythopeus, Apotomorhinus (Curculionidae: Curculioninae, Molytinae and (the last two) Baridinae respectively) and Sitophilus (Dryophthoridae) in the Old World, and Atractomerus (Curculionidae: Anthonominae) in the Neotropics; two undescribed baridine species (one in Australia and the other in the USA) are also known to feed on the fruits, and the Omophorine Teleuropus (Curculionidae: Molytinae) has been found associated with them. Particular attention is paid to species of Alcidodes from aseasonal dipterocarp-dominated forests in South-East Asia. Two Bornean species (Alcidodes janetae sp. n. and A. eugeniophilus sp. n.) are the first of their genus to be reared from the fruit of Syzygium or Eugenia. These species, plus two other (A. expansitarsis sp. n. from Assam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, and A. gymnasticus sp. n. from Malaysia) belong to a previously undescribed species group of Alcidodes; all four species are described and keyed.     

Revision of the genus Cylindrommata Tippmann (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The monotypic genus Cylindrommata is revised, and three new species are described from Brazil. Cylindrommata aurantia sp. nov. is recorded from the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and differs from other species principally by having the prothorax tuberculate at the sides, pronotum subplane and elytra orangish. Cylindrommata lustrata sp. nov. is from Minas Gerais, and has the prothorax without tubercles, rounded at the sides, and elytra short and black with dark-blue reflections. Cylindrommata susanae sp. nov. is from Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, and has the prothorax without tubercles, parallel at the sides, and elytra yellowish. A key to the species is provided, and all the species are illustrated.     

The bark and ambrosia beetles of the Cook Island and Niue (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae)

Twenty-two species of Scolytidae (including one new species), and one species of Platypodidae are recorded from the Cook Islands and Niue in the South Pacific, and a key is given to all species. Corrections are made to earlier records from the islands. Xyleborinus perexiguus (Schedl) comb. n. is transferred from Xyleborus. The faunal composition, breeding habits and geographical distribution of the species are discussed and related to those of other islands in the Pacific. Many species have probably been introduced by man. In the absence of a major timber industry, the species are likely to be of minor economic importance.     

Thermonectus tremouillesi sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Aciliini): description of the adults and larvae and comparisons with other species of the genus

A new species of Aciliini diving beetles, Thermonectus tremouillesi sp. nov., is described on the basis of adult and larval specimens collected in shaded forest ponds in Argentina. The adults are compared with morphologically close species and diagnosed by the following combination of characters: the colour pattern on pronotum and elytra; the sexual sculpture of the female well marked, covering basal fourth to basal half of elytra; the male protibia narrow with dorsal margin slightly prominent; the tergite IX of male with four posterior projections; the median lobe of aedeagus bifid apically; and the parameres bearing a terminal spur. The larvae, for their part, are compared with those of other species of the genus and diagnosed by the colour pattern of the cephalic capsule, the shape of the nasale, the spinulae on the prementum, and several chaetotaxic features. Both adults and larvae are illustrated in detail combining scanning electron microscope images, digital photos and line drawings of selected structures. The habitat of the new species and its associated fauna are briefly described.     

Individual and geographical variation in the stridulatory file of Omocestus viridulus (L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Summary

Samples of male specimens of Omocestus viridulus from 14 European countries were used to study the individual and geographical variation in the characters associated with the stridulatory file. Significant overall variation between the samples was demonstrated for the length of file, average density of pegs, length of hind femur and ratio of file length to hind femur length.

This variation was found to be significantly correlated with several environmental factors, particularly annual range of temperature and amount of precipitation. These factors were considered to be good indicators of continentality, specimens from more continental regions having longer hind femora and longer files with a lower density of pegs. File length was found to be inversely correlated with amount of precipitation even when considered as a proportion of the hind femur. Number of pegs was also found to be inversely correlated with precipitation. In showing that femur length and file length increase and density decreases with continentality, the results agree with those of my previous study (Pitkin, 1976), in which British samples were found to have shorter femora and shorter files with a greater density of pegs than German samples.

The present study, while establishing that the stridulatory file varies geographically, does not deny its usefulness as a taxonomic tool, particularly when it is used in combination with other characters. When stridulatory characters are used on their own, individual and geographical variability within the species must clearly be taken into account.     

Nomenclatural changes and new species in Platypodidae and Scolyidae (Coleoptera), Part II

In Platypodidae the new name Genyocerus strohmeyeri replaced the junior homonym G. albipennis Strohmeyer, 1942, and the new name Platypus applanatulus replaced the junior homonym Platypus applanatus Schedl, 1976. New names are presented in Scolytidae as replacements for junior homonyms as follows: Cryphalus brownei for Cryphalus artocarpus Schedl, 1958; Cyclorhipidion dihingicum for Xyleborus dihingensis Schedl, 1951; Hypothenemus aterrimulus for Lepiceroides (now Hypothenemus ) aterrimus Schedl, 1957; Hypothenemus krivolutskayae for Hypothenemus insularis Krivolutskaya; Pityophthorus africanulus for Neodryocoetes (now Pityophthorus ) africanus Schedl, 1962; Scolytogenes papuensis for Xylocryptus (now Scolytogenes ) papuanus Schedl, 1975; Scolytogenes paradoxus for Scolytogenes papuanus Schedl, 1979; Xyleborinus spiniposticus for Eidophelus (now Xyleborinus ) spinipennis Schedl, 1979; Xyleborus formosae for Xyleborus formosanus Browne, 1981. New combinations for fossil Scolytidae include Dryocoetes diluvialis for Pityophthoroidea diluvialis Wickham, 1916, and Hylesinus hydropicus for Apidocephalus hydropicus Wickham, 1916. Phloeotribus zimmermanni Wickham, 1916, is transferred to the family Curculionidae. In Scolytidae, Cryphalophilus Schedl, 1970, is a junior generic synonym of Scolytogenes Eichhoff; Macrocryphalus Nobuchi, 1981, is a junior generic synonym of Hypothenemus Westwood, 1836; Nipponopolygraphus Nobuchi, 1981, is a junior generic synonym of Polygraphus Erichson, 1836; Pseudocosmoderes Nobuchi, 1981, is a junior generic synonym of Cosmoderes Eichhoff, 1878; Taphrocoetes Pfeffer, 1987, is a junior generic synonym of Taphrorychus Eichhoff; Trypanophellos Bright, 1982, is a junior generic synonym of Liparthrum Wollaston. New specific synonymy in Scolytidae includes: Brachyspartus moritzi Ferrari (= Corthylus obtusus Schedl), Carphoborus minimus (Fabricius) (= Carphobhorus balgensis Murayama), Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Fabricius) (= Coccotrypes tropicus Eichhoff), Cryphalus scabricollis Eichhoff (= Cryphalus brevicollis Schedl), Ficicis despects (Walker) (= Hylesinus samoanus Schedl), Hylastes plumbeus Blandford (= Hylurgops fushunensis Murayama), Hylurgops interstitialis (Chapuis) (= Hylurgops niponicus Murayama), Hylurgops spessivtsevi Eggers (= Hylurgops modestus Murayama), Ips stebbingi Strohmeyer (= Ips schmutzenhoferi Holzschuh), Phloeosinus rudis Blandford (= Phloeosinus shotoensis Murayama, Polygraphus kaimochi (Nobuchi) (= Polygraphus querci Wood), Polygraphus proximus Blandford (= Polygraphus magnus Murayama), Scolytogenes braderi Browne (= Scolytogenes orientalis Schedl), Scolytoplatypus parvus Sampson (= Scolytoplatypus ruficauda Eggers), Sphaerotrypes querci Stebbing (= Chramesus globulus Stebbing, Sphaerotrypes tectus Beeson), Sueus niisimai (Eggers) (= Sphaerotrypes controversae Murayama), Tomicus brevipilosus (Eggers) (= Blastophagus khasianus Murayama, Blastophagus multisetosus Murayama). The European Hylastes opacus Erichson is reported as an established breeding population in New York (USA). Phloeosinus armatus Reitter of Asia Minor is reported as causing economic damage as a new introduction to Los Angeles County, California. The following species are named as new to science: Cyclorhipidion subagnatum (Philippine Islands), Dendrotrupes zealandicus (New Zealand), Polygraphus thitsi (Burma), Triotemnus pilicornis (India), and Xyleborus mangificus (Peru).     

New species of American Corthylus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

A search for characters to make the generic classification of Platypodidae more nearly objective resulted in the discovery of new anatomical features that appear to reflect patterns in phylogeny for this family. The Platypodidae are members of the Curculionoidea and are very closely allied to Scolytidae. Three subfamilies of Platypodidae are recognized: (1) Coptonotinae, containing Coptonotini ( Coptonotus Chapuis, Protohylastes Wood, Scolytotarsus Schedl), Mecopelmini ( Mecopelmus Blackman, Protoplatypus Wood), and Schedlarini ( Schedlarius Wood [= Chapuisia Dugès]); (2) Tesserocerinae, containing Diapodini ( Diapus Chapuis, Genyocerus Motschulsky [= Diacavus Schedl], and Tesseroccrini ( Platytarsulus Schedl, Notoplatypus Lea, Tesserocranulus Schedl, Tesserocerus Saunders [= Damicerus Spinola, Tesseroplatypus Schedl, Tesserocephalus Schedl]), Spathidicerus Chapuis, Periommatus Chapuis [= Asetus Nunberg, Setanus Nunberg], Chaetastus Nunberg [= Symmerus Chapuis], Cenocephalus Chapuis, and Mitosoma Chapuis [= Platypicerus Nunberg, Coecephalonus Schedl]); and (3) Platypodinae, containing Platypodini ( Platypus Herbst [= Cylindra Illiger, Stenoplatypus Strohmeyer, Platypinus Schedl, Austroplatypus Browne], Treptoplatypus Schedl, Crossotarsus Chapuis, Trachyostus Schedl, Neotrachyostus Browne, Platyscapulus Schedl [= Platyscapus Schedl, Costaroplatus Nunberg], Baiocis Browne, Cylindropalpus Strohmeyer, Triozastus Schedl, Mesoplatypus Strohmeyer, Doliopygus Schedl [= Scutopygus Nunberg, Pygodolius Nunberg, Mixopygus Nunberg, Mesopygus Nunberg], and 11 genera named as new to science derived from the genus Platypus of Schedl 1972. The following are new genera and their type-species: Peroplatypus (for Platypus truncatipennis Schedl), Dinoplatypus (for Platypus cupulatus Chapuis), Myoplatypus (for Bostrichus or Paltypus flavicornis Fabricius), Oxoplatypus (for Scolytus or Platypus quadridentatus Olivier), Platyphysus (for Platypus obtusus Chapuis), Megaplatypus (for Platypus dentatus Dalman), Euplatypus (for Bostrichus or Platypus parallelus Fabricius), Epiplatypus (for Platypus desceptor Wood), and Teloplatypus (for Platypus concinnus Blandford). The archaic ""sektionen"" used by Schedl in his 1972 classification of this family are eliminated. A key for the identification of genera, a discussion of characters, and remarks on phylogeny are included.     

Naupactus xanthographus (Germar) species group (Curculionidae: Entiminae: Naupactini): a comprehensive taxonomic treatment

We undertake a taxonomic revision of Naupactus xanthographus (Germar 1824) (grape-fruit weevil) and the putative related species N. navicularis Boheman 1840, N. dissimilis Hustache 1947, N. mimicus Hustache 1938, N. dissimulator Boheman 1840 and N. marvaldiae new species. This species group mainly differs from other Naupactus by the presence of a pair of tubercles at the apex of the elytra. It ranges in Argentina, southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, in areas that belong to the biogeographic provinces of Atlantic, Araucaria and Paraná forests, Yungas, Chaco and Pampa. Naupactus xanthographus is broadly distributed in Argentina, mainly in the Pampean province, and it was introduced in central Chile, where it is considered a serious pest of grapes and several fruit trees. The remaining species are partially sympatric in the subtropical forests of southern Brazil, and N. dissimulator ranges along the gallery forests of Paraná and Uruguay rivers, down to La Plata River. It has been reported damaging citrus and ‘yerba mate’, like N. navicularis and N. dissimilis. The new species N. marvaldiae ranges in southern Brazil and north-eastern Argentina (Misiones), and differs from N. dissimulator, mainly by the very short elytra, the apical tubercles welldeveloped in males and females, the broader front femora, and the different shape of the apex of the penis. The other four species are probably more closely related and they separate from the pair N. dissimulator–N. marvaldiae because of the slightly widened front femora, well-developed corbels of the hind tibiae, and short to indistinct nodulus of the spermatheca.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:051587DD-37C2-4216-AA61-0E563BB44D64     

Revision of the genera of Platypodidae (Coleoptera)

A search for characters to make the generic classification of Platypodidae more nearly objective resulted in the discovery of new anatomical features that appear to reflect patterns in phylogeny for this family. The Platypodidae are members of the Curculionoidea and are very closely allied to Scolytidae. Three subfamilies of Platypodidae are recognized: (1) Coptonotinae, containing Coptonotini ( Coptonotus Chapuis, Protohylastes Wood, Scolytotarsus Schedl), Mecopelmini ( Mecopelmus Blackman, Protoplatypus Wood), and Schedlarini ( Schedlarius Wood [= Chapuisia Dugès]); (2) Tesserocerinae, containing Diapodini ( Diapus Chapuis, Genyocerus Motschulsky [= Diacavus Schedl], and Tesseroccrini ( Platytarsulus Schedl, Notoplatypus Lea, Tesserocranulus Schedl, Tesserocerus Saunders [= Damicerus Spinola, Tesseroplatypus Schedl, Tesserocephalus Schedl]), Spathidicerus Chapuis, Periommatus Chapuis [= Asetus Nunberg, Setanus Nunberg], Chaetastus Nunberg [= Symmerus Chapuis], Cenocephalus Chapuis, and Mitosoma Chapuis [= Platypicerus Nunberg, Coecephalonus Schedl]); and (3) Platypodinae, containing Platypodini ( Platypus Herbst [= Cylindra Illiger, Stenoplatypus Strohmeyer, Platypinus Schedl, Austroplatypus Browne], Treptoplatypus Schedl, Crossotarsus Chapuis, Trachyostus Schedl, Neotrachyostus Browne, Platyscapulus Schedl [= Platyscapus Schedl, Costaroplatus Nunberg], Baiocis Browne, Cylindropalpus Strohmeyer, Triozastus Schedl, Mesoplatypus Strohmeyer, Doliopygus Schedl [= Scutopygus Nunberg, Pygodolius Nunberg, Mixopygus Nunberg, Mesopygus Nunberg], and 11 genera named as new to science derived from the genus Platypus of Schedl 1972. The following are new genera and their type-species: Peroplatypus (for Platypus truncatipennis Schedl), Dinoplatypus (for Platypus cupulatus Chapuis), Myoplatypus (for Bostrichus or Paltypus flavicornis Fabricius), Oxoplatypus (for Scolytus or Platypus quadridentatus Olivier), Platyphysus (for Platypus obtusus Chapuis), Megaplatypus (for Platypus dentatus Dalman), Euplatypus (for Bostrichus or Platypus parallelus Fabricius), Epiplatypus (for Platypus desceptor Wood), and Teloplatypus (for Platypus concinnus Blandford). The archaic ""sektionen"" used by Schedl in his 1972 classification of this family are eliminated. A key for the identification of genera, a discussion of characters, and remarks on phylogeny are included.     

Synopsis of the genus Ecoporanga Napp and Martins (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Two new taxa are described: Ecoporanga cooperi sp. nov. from Peru (Amazonas) and Ecoporanga wallacei sp. nov. from Ecuador (Tungurahua). The former differs from other species of the genus by the antennae and black legs and green elytra with metallic reflections. Ecoporanga wallacei differs from the other species by well-marked posterolateral depressions and tubercles near posterior margin of the pronotum, and apex of elytra laterally with recurved spine. A key to species of the genus is provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:58E5FC0E-F269-4A44-9A36-F1D1A9299D5D     

Assortative mating in soldier beetles (Cantharidae: Chaulignathus ): test of the mate-choice hypothesis

Soldier beetles of 2 species, Chauliognathus basalis and C. deceptus , were examined to test the Crespi hypothesis that positive assortative mating by size is caused by mate choices. Specifically, we tested the prediction that if mate choice involves choosing the largest mate available, then mating individuals will be larger than nonmating individuals. Four samples were taken, at different times during the mating season, from each of 2 sites. Each sample consisted of mating pairs, nonmanting males, and nonmating females. Some of the samples contained beetles of both species; others contained beetles of a single species. For each gender elytron lengths of mating individuals were compared with elytron lengths of nonmating individuals. We found no effect of mating status (mating vs. nonmating) on elytron lengths in samples that exhibited assertive mating (which occurs where 2 species coexist). Surprisingly, we found a consistent effect of mating status on elytron lengths in samples that did not exhibit assortative mating (which occurs where only 1 species exists). Our results do not support the mate-choice hypothesis. Instead, mate choice and assortative mating appear to be alternative mating patterns in which mate choice occurs where a single species exists and assortative mating occurs where 2 species coexist.     

Stridulation in Aphodius dung beetles: Songs and morphology of stridulatory organs in North American Aphodius species (Scarabaeidae)

The acoustic behaviour of four Aphodius dung beetle species from the Pacific Northwest of the USA was investigated. Male Aphodius produce substrate vibrations when they meet a conspecific female in a dung pat. The temporal structure of the substrate vibrations and the stridulatory organs are described. The vibrations are species-specific songs that are emitted during courtship. The stridulatory organ is of the abdomino-alary type in the investigated species. Morphological differences with regard to the detailed structure are present.     

XXVIII.—Les Trechus [Coleoptera,Carabidæ] de l'Everest Expedition, 1924, et Remarques sur quelques espèces de l'Himalaya

Summary

Chorthippus m. montanus and C. p. parallelus are often difficult and sometimes impossible to separate using existing keys. Eleven potentially useful characters are re-evaluated in the male and six in the female. In males the best characters are found to be the number of stridulatory pegs on the hind femur, the length of the stridulatory file, cercus and anterior medial area, and the distance of the stigma from the fore wing tip; these characters are closely correlated with each other. In females the shape and length of the ventral valves of the ovipositor are found to be the most useful characters. The acoustic behaviour, cytology, serology, ecology and distribution of the two species are discussed.

A lectotype is designated for C. caffer Ramme, which is newly synonymised with C. p. parallelus. C. erythropus Faber is reduced in status to a subspecies of C. parallelus. The status of the following is also discussed: C. montanus tatrae Harz, C. parallelus aemulus Mishchenko, C. p. geminus Mishchenko, C. p. tenuis (Brullé), C. turanicus Tarbinskii and C. curtipennis (Harris).

A key is given to the Western European species and subspecies of this group.     

The female genitalia of Gonioctena,subgenus Spartoxena (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The taxonomy of the eight species of Gonioctena Chevrolat belonging to the subgenus Spartoxena Motschulsky is mostly based on male genitalia due to the unsuitability of external characters (i.e. coloration patterns) for identification. In order to provide similar diagnostic characters for both genders, the female genitalia of the eight species are described and illustrated. Considering the lack of spermathecae within the genus, the shapes of tergite 8, and sternites 8 and 9 have been explored as possible diagnostic characters. These structures present marked differences between taxa and simultaneously stability among individuals of each species, and thus they are very useful for taxonomic purposes. A key to the females of the subgenus Spartoxena is provided, and figures of tergite 9, and sternites 8 and 9 of each species are included.     

Synonymy of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), 1790 and R. vulneratus (Panzer), 1798 (Coleoptera,Curculionidae, Rhynchophorinae)

Morphological, molecular-genetic and breeding data were collected to investigate the species status of the Asian palm weevils, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) and R. vulneratus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). These weevils are distinguished by characteristic colouring of the pronota and elytra, but naturally occurring colour intermorphs were observed. Contrary to the literature, quantitative measurements of the concavity of subgenal sutures and of pronotal shape indicated no differences between the two species. Larvae did not differ significantly in labral characteristics. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) banding patterns were identical for nine of 14 primers, indicating that these weevils are very closely related. Sequences of the cytochrome oxidase gene for 201 base pairs read were identical for R. ferrugineus and R. vulneratus, but the congener R. bilineatus differed from them by 10%, suggesting divergence of these lineages about 5?million years ago. Hybrid F1s were obtained from all heterospecific crosses, and one surviving hybrid F1 female produced viable eggs. Previous studies have revealed no pheromonal differences. On the basis of this evidence, R. ferrugineus and R. vulneratus should be considered colour morphs of the same species and be synonymized under the name Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), with the common name Asian palm weevil.     

Selection and habitat-specific allozyme variation in the self-fertilizing land snail Cochlicopa lubrica (O. F. Müller)

Allozyme variation of aspartate-aminotransferase locus Aat 1 is analysed in the land snail Cochlicopa lubrica (O. F. Müller, 1774). Two alleles, denoted ‘20’ and ‘80’, have been found in 29 Central European populations investigated. This species reproduces under a high rate of self-fertilization. Only three out of 787 individuals were heterozygous (enzyme pattern Aat 1 ‘20’/‘80’). The homozygous individuals with Aat 1 ‘80’ were frequent in moist and shady habitats. In exposed and open habitats, however, the homozygous individuals with Aat 1 ‘20’ occurred frequently. These results give strong evidence for habitat-specific selection inferred from allozyme variation. Moreover, a tight interlocus correlation of isocitrate-dehydrogenase patterns (Idh 1) and Aat 1 patterns has been observed. Two groups of homozygous genotypes are commonly found: (1) the group Idh 1 ‘145’/Aat 1 ‘80’, and (2) the group Idh 1 ‘155’/Aat 1 ‘20’. The Aat data for Cochlicopa lubrica are complemented by morphometric measurements of the shells. The homozygous types of Aat 1 ‘20’ (common in exposed/open habitats) possessed, on average, slightly smaller shells than the homozygous types with Aat 1 ‘80’ (common in moist/shady habitats). This slight mean difference in shell size might be due to the living conditions in the habitats. In the last part of the study, the allozyme variation of snails was assessed for spatial selection processes, and a compilation of the available papers is shown.     

Molecular evidence on evolutionary switching from particle-feeding to sophisticated carnivory in the calanoid copepod family Heterorhabdidae: drastic and rapid changes in functions of homologues

The oceanic calanoid copepod family Heterorhabdidae is unique in that it comprises both particle-feeding and carnivorous genera with some intermediate taxa. Both morphological and molecular (nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA) phylogenetic analyses of the family suggest that an evolutionary switch in feeding strategy, from transitions of typical particle-feeding through some intermediate modes to sophisticated carnivory, might have occurred with the development of a specially designed ‘poison’ injection system. In view of the small amount of genetic differentiation among genera in this family, the switching of feeding modes and re-colonization from deep to shallow waters might have occurred over a short geological period since the Middle to Late Miocene.     

Phylogenetic trends in the Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera)

Phylogenetic trends of the states of 24 adult and 14 larval characters of the major groups of Scarabaeoidea are discussed on the basis of outgroup and ingroup comparison. Evolutionary trends within the major groups are also discussed. The following (i) adult and (ii) larval characters are discussed: (i) antennal segments, antennal sensilla, ocular canthus, ommatidium structure, epipharynx, mandibles, maxillae, labium, tentorium, trochantin, coxal cavities, mesothoracic spiracles, wing venation, metendosternite, empodium, abdominal sternites, abdominal spiracles, male genitalia, female genitalia, ovarioles, karyotype, central nervous system, spermatozoan number and malpighian tubules; (ii) antennae, frontoclypeal suture, lateral ocelli (stemmata), labial palpi, maxillae, maxillary palpi, maxillary/mandibular stridulatory areas, labrum, epipharyngeal tormae, legs, stridulatory apparatus, spiracles, abdominal apex and central nervous system.     

Growth ‘rules’ and the larvae of decapod crustaceans

Summary

Statements that have attempted to express the relationship between the sizes of successive arthropodan instars are examined with reference to published data on larval decapod crustaceans.

The conclusions reached are (a) that ‘Brooks's Law’, which simply states that the lengths of successive instars form an exponential series, generally holds good in decapod larvae, (b) that ‘Przibram's Rule’, stating that the weight increase between instars is always by some power of 2, is not supported by the observed length changes, and (c) that Gurney's suggestion that growth factors in decapod larvae do not normally exceed about 1·5 is not applicable to the order as a whole, but may be valid for some sub-groups within it.