Hybridization studies in the planthopper genus Ribautodelphax (Homoptera, Delphacidae)

True Parthenogenesis and Female-Biased Sex Ratios in Cicadomorpha and Fulgoromorpha (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha)

Insects are renowned for their remarkable diversity of reproductive modes. Among these, the largest non-holometabolous order, Hemiptera, stands out with one of the most diversified arrays of parthenogenesis modes observed among insects. Although there are extensive reviews on reproduction without fertilization in some hemipteran higher taxa, no such analysis has been conducted for the large suborders Fulgoromorpha (planthoppers) and Cicadomorpha (leafhoppers). In both groups, there are species that reproduce by true parthenogenesis, specifically thelytoky, and in Fulgoromorpha, there are species that reproduce by pseudogamy or, more specifically, sperm-dependent parthenogenesis. In this review paper, we give and discuss the only currently known examples of true parthenogenesis in Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha, mainly from the planthopper family Delphacidae and the leafhopper family Cicadellidae. We analyze patterns of distribution, ecology, mating behavior, acoustic communication, and cytogenetic and genetic diversity of parthenoforms and discuss hypotheses about the origin of parthenogenesis in each case. We also highlight examples in which natural populations show a shift in sex ratio toward females and discuss possible causes of this phenomenon, primarily the influence of endosymbiotic bacteria capable of altering the reproductive strategies of the hosts. Our review is mainly based on studies in which the authors have participated.

Comparative analysis of chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems in Paraneoptera (Insecta)

This article is part (the 4th article) of the themed issue (a monograph) "Aberrant cytogenetic and reproductive patterns in the evolution of Paraneoptera". The purpose of this article is to consider chromosome structure and evolution, chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems, which all together constitute the chromosomal basis of reproduction and are essential for reproductive success. We are based on our own observations and literature data available for all major lineages of Paraneoptera including Zoraptera (angel insects), Copeognatha (=Psocoptera; bark lice), Parasita (=Phthiraptera s. str; true lice), Thysanoptera (thrips), Homoptera (scale insects, aphids, jumping plant-lice, whiteflies, and true hoppers), Heteroptera (true bugs), and Coleorrhyncha (moss bugs). Terminology, nomenclature, classification, and the study methods are given in the first paper of the issue (Gavrilov-Zimin et al. 2021).

Comparative cytogenetics of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera, Homoptera): a review

A comprehensive review of cytogenetic features is provided for the large hemipteran suborder Auchenorrhyncha, which currently contains approximately 42,000 valid species. This review is based on the analysis of 819 species, 483 genera, and 31 families representing all presently recognized Auchenorrhyncha superfamilies, e.i. Cicadoidea (cicadas), Cercopoidea (spittle bugs), Membracoidea (leafhoppers and treehoppers), Myerslopioidea (ground-dwelling leafhoppers), and Fulgoroidea (planthoppers). History and present status of chromosome studies are described, as well as the structure of chromosomes, chromosome counts, trends and mechanisms of evolution of karyotypes and sex determining systems, their variation at different taxonomic levels and most characteristic (modal) states, occurrence of parthenogenesis, polyploidy, B-chromosomes and chromosome rearrangements, and methods used for cytogenetic analysis of Auchenorrhyncha.

Karyotypes, B-chromosomes and meiotic abnormalities in 13 populations of Alebra albostriella and A. wahlbergi (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae) from Greece

In this work 13 populations of the leafhopper species Alebra albostriella (Fallén, 1826) (6 populations) and A. wahlbergi (Boheman, 1845) (7 populations) (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from Greece were studied cytogenetically. We examined chromosomal complements and meiosis in 41 males of A. albostriella sampled from Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus cerris and in 21 males of A. wahlbergi sampled from C. sativa, Acer opalus and Ulmus sp. The species were shown to share 2n = 22 + X(0) and male meiosis of the chiasmate preductional type typical for Auchenorrhyncha. In all populations of A. albostriella and in all but two populations of A. wahlbergi B chromosomes and/or different meiotic abnormalities including the end-to-end non-homologous chromosomal associations, translocation chains, univalents, anaphasic laggards besides aberrant sperms were encountered. This study represents the first chromosomal record for the genus Alebra and one of the few population-cytogenetic studies in the Auchenorrhyncha.