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Redescription of the internal female genitalia of Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) (Diptera), including a new and distinctive structure common to all Syrphidae
Abstract
The internal female genitalia of Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer , 1776) are described morphologically and histologically. Special
emphasis is placed on the description of what is called here the ventral circular structure (vcs), a newly discovered small but
distinctive structure situated ventrally opposite to the opening of the spermathecal ducts. A comparative study of representatives
of all major clades of Syrphidae revealed the vcs to belong to the ground plan of the family. Its potential function and uncertain
phylogenetic origin are discussed.
... General Groove or furrow along the margin of a sclerite, usually found on the scutellum or abdomen (Thompson 1999 Internal; opening from the common oviduct into the anterior part of the vagina, anterior to the openings of the spermathecal ducts and accessory glands (Kotrba & Weniger 2017). ...
An updated morphological terminology for adult Syrphidae (Insecta, Diptera) is presented. The need for an update and extension of the terminology became evident while preparing species descriptions for the European Commission funded Taxo-Fly project on European Syrphidae. The scope of this paper however is worldwide. The manuscript describes the method used in finding as many relevant terms as possible and also discusses the use of the preferred terms, e.g., based on novel insights on the wing venation and division of some of the thoracic segments. The main part comprises numerous figures depicting different body parts with terminology indicated on each figure. A glossary of all terms used is given in alphabetical order. In total 17 photos and 207 drawings are presented, depicting almost 400 terms. A total of 14 new terms are introduced to more accurately describe the different body parts of adult Syrphidae. A short description for each term is given, together with additional information such as synonymous terms.
The placement and phylogenetic relationships of Asiobaccha were explored using molecular evidence. The mitochondrial protein-coding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the nuclear 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes were analysed using parsimony, Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood. Two alignments approaches were used for rRNA genes: a multiple sequence alignment software, MAFFT, and their secondary structure. Present results do not place Asiobaccha close to Baccha or Allobaccha, which are placed in different evolutionary lineages, but close to Episyrphus and Meliscaeva. The relationship among these three genera is not fully resolved. Morphological characters are discussed and Asiobaccha stat. rev. is proposed as a valid genus.
The taxonomic rank and phylogenetic relationships of the pipizine flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae: Pipizini) were estimated based on DNA sequence data from three gene regions (COI, 28S and 18S) and 111 adult morphological characters. Pipizini has been treated as a member of the subfamily Eristalinae based on diagnostic adult morphological characteristics, while the larval feeding mode and morphology is shared with members of the subfamily Syrphinae. We analysed each dataset, both separately and combined, in a total evidence approach under maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood. To evaluate the influence of different alignment strategies of rDNA 28S and 18S genes on the resulting topologies, we compared the topologies inferred from a multiple alignment using fast Fourier transform (MAFFT) program with those topologies resulting from aligning the secondary structure of these rDNA genes. Total evidence analyses resolved pipizines as a sister group of the subfamily Syrphinae. Although the structural alignment and the MAFFT alignment differed in the inferred relationships of some clades and taxa, there was congruence in the placement of pipizines. The homogeneous morphology of the Pipizini clade in combination with their unique combination of characters among the Syrphidae suggest a change of rank to subfamily. Thus, we propose to divide Syrphidae into four subfamilies, including the subfamily Pipizinae stat. rev.
The intrasubfamilial classification of Microdontinae Rondani (Diptera: Syrphidae) has been a challenge: until recently more than 300 out of more than 400 valid species names were classified in Microdon Meigen. We present phylogenetic analyses of molecular and morphological characters (both separate and combined) of Microdontinae. The morphological dataset contains 174 characters, scored for 189 taxa (9 outgroup), representing all 43 presently recognized genera and several subgenera and species groups. The molecular dataset, representing 90 ingroup species of 28 genera, comprises sequences of five partitions in total from the mitochondrial gene COI and the nuclear ribosomal genes 18S and 28S. We test the sister-group relationship of Spheginobaccha with the other Microdontinae, attempt to elucidate phylogenetic relationships within the Microdontinae and discuss uncertainties in the classification of Microdontinae. Trees based on molecular characters alone are poorly resolved, but combined data are better resolved. Support for many deeper nodes is low, and placement of such nodes differs between parsimony and Bayesian analyses. However, Spheginobaccha is recovered as highly supported sister group in both. Both analyses agree on the early branching of Mixogaster, Schizoceratomyia, Afromicrodon and Paramicrodon. The taxonomical rank in relation to the other Syrphidae is discussed briefly. An additional analysis based on morphological characters only, including all 189 taxa, used implied weighting. A range of weighting strengths (k-values) is applied, chosen such that values of character fit of the resulting trees are divided into regular intervals. Results of this analysis are used for discussing the phylogenetic relationships of genera unrepresented in the molecular dataset.
The Diptera, or true flies (mosquitoes, gnats, and house flies) comprise 12-15% of animal species, and are the most ecologically
diverse order of insects, spanning ecological roles from detritivory to vertebrate blood feeding and leaf mining.
The earliest known fossil Diptera are from the early Triassic 240 mya, and the order probably arose in the late Permian.
The earliest brachyceran fossils are found in the late Triassic and earliest Jurassic, but the diversification of the extremely
diverse Calyptrata (ca. 30% of described species) began in the late Creataceous. The monophyly of the order is supported
by numerous morphological and biological characters and molecular data sets. The major lineages within the
order are well established, and we summarize major recent phylogenetic analyses in a supertree for the Diptera. Most
studies concur that the traditional subordinal group Nematocera is paraphyletic, but relationships between the major lineages
of these flies are not recovered consistently. There is particular instability around the placement of the tipulids and
their relatives and the families of the Psychodomorpha as traditionally defined. The other major suborder, Brachycera, is
clearly monophyletic, and the relationships between major brachyceran lineages have become clearer in recent decades.
The Eremoneura, Cyclorrhapha, Schizophora and Calyptrata are monophyletic, however the “Orthorrhapha” and
“Aschiza” are paraphyletic, and it is likely that the “Acalyptrata” are also. Ongoing phylogenetic analyses that span the
diversity of the order shall establish a robust phylogeny of the group with increased quantitative rigor. This will enable a
more precise understanding of the evolution of the morphology, biogeography, biology, and physiology of flies.
The female abdomen of Syrphidae was studied based on a sample from all currently recognized tribes, except Spheginobacchini. All characters found were compared with previous literature on Syrphidae female abdomen and some were proposed as diagnostic for the taxa. The condition of the postabdomen distinguishes Pipizinae from the Syrphinae. Presence of sclerotized areas on the intersegmental membrane appears characteristic of the Rhingiini. Tergite and sternite 6 had unique characteristics only found in Cerioidini, and sternite 8 had a condition only found in Cerioidini and Callicerini. Notiocheilosia (Callicerini) seems more similar to Nausigaster (Eumerini). Characters present in both the Eristalini and Sericomyiini are presented. The condition of the epiproct, and of its apodemes, proved diagnostic for Microdontini, Volucellini and some Syrphini plus the Paragini. Bacchini sensu lato and Toxomerini were also distinct. The Milesiini still need to be sampled more broadly to ascertain about its relationships with other tribes and within.
The genus Milesia Latreille = Pogonosyrphus Malloch n. syn., includes 4 Palaearctic, 62 Oriental (including Celebes and Lombok) or SE Palaearctic, 5 Afrotropical, 3 Nearactic and 2 northern Neotropical species. The genus is divided into 23 monophyletic species groups. An hypothesis of the phylogeny (cladogenesis of Milesia is presented. -from Author
Toxomerus Macquart (Diptera: Syrphidae) species from Brazil are revised, including the examination of most of the types. Thirty six species are confirmed. Twenty seven are synonymized: T. dispar (Fabricius, 1794) [=T. vicinus (Macquart, 1846), T. tridentatus (Rondani, 1868) T. annulifer (Bigot, 1884), T. ruficaudatus (Bigot 1884), & T. triangulatus (Hull, 1942)], T. duplicatus (Wiedemann, 1830) [=T. vatius (Walker, 1852), T. gemini (Hull, 1941), T. arcturus (Hull, 1943), T. bipunctatus (Hull, 1943)], Syrphus basalis Walker, 1837 [=T. portius (Walker, 1852), T. rhea (Hull, 1949), T. harlequinus (Hull, 1951)], T. pictus (Macquart, 1842) [=T. jaguarinus (Bigot, 1884), T. maculatus (Bigot, 1884)], T. pulchellus (Macquart, 1846) [=T. punctatus Sack, 1921], T. virgulatus (Schiner, 1868) [=T. confusus (Schiner, 1868)], T. laenas (Walker, 1852) [=T. barbulus (Walker, 1852), T. nitidiventris (Curran, 1930), T. vitreus (Hull, 1941)], T. norma (Curran, 1930) [=T. mulio (Hull, 1941)], T. productus (Curran, 1930) [=T. triradiatus (Hull, 1942), T. camilla (Hull, 1951), T. cyrillus (Hull, 1951), T. vanessa (Hull, 1951)], T. watsoni (Curran, 1930) [=T. lanei (Hull, 1942)], T. steatogaster (Hull, 1941) [=T. steatornis (Hull, 1943)], T. idalius (Hull, 1951) [=T. eurydice (Hull, 1951)]. Two new combinations are presented: Mesogramma apegiensis Harbach, 1974 (=Toxomerus apegiensis) and Syphus basalis Walker, 1837 (= Toxomerus basalis); six new records for Brazil are included: T. difficilis (Curran, 1930), T. idalius (Hull, 1951), T. productus (Curran, 1930), T. purus (Curran, 1930), T. sylvaticus (Hull, 1943) and T. undecimpunctatus (Enderlein, 1938). Three new species are described: Toxomerus mosaicus, Toxomerus papaveroi and Toxomerus paraduplicatus.
The surface morphology of a dome-shaped genital chamber in the female Musca domestica L., where the sperm and egg meet following ovulation, was examined to determine its role in fertilization. The inner surface of the chamber was found to be lined with 3 types of nonarticulated cuticular spines. Examination of eggs removed from the chamber indicated that the distinctly robust spines at the apex were involved with the removal of a mucoid secretion which occludes the micropyle opening. The spines lining the rest of the chamber were more slender and flexible than those at the apex, and may function in ensuring that sperm remain at the fertilization site when the egg is placed into the chamber.
Pseudacteon wasmanni is a South American decapitating fly that parasitizes workers of Solenopsis fire ants. We used light microscopy (historesin serial-sectioning stained with Haematoxylin/Eosin) and scanning electron microscopy to show and analyze internal and whole external views of the female reproductive system. All specimens analyzed (n=9) by light microscopy showed post-vitellogenic oocytes inside the ovaries. The lack of typical follicles (oocyte-nurse cell complexes) in all specimens suggests that oogenesis occurs during the pupal stage. The total number of eggs found ranged from 31 to 280 (X=142+/-73, SD). The egg has a slugform or torpedo shape (about 130 by 20 microm) with a pointed apex at the posterior pole as defined by the fly; the micropyle appears to be in a depression or invagination at the anterior pole. An acute hypodermic-like ovipositor is evaginated from the hard sclerotized external genitalia during egg laying. The existence of a muscular bulb associated with the end of the common oviduct suggests that the egg is injected into the ant's body by a strong contraction of the bulb which probably is stimulated by bending of several ventral sensilla. During contraction, the abdomen extends out along a large fold between the sixth and seventh tergites in such a way that the sclerotized genitalia is rotated ventrally into a slightly anterior orientation in preparation for oviposition.
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