XI. The comparative anatomy of the male genital tube in Coleoptera

The terminalia of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera): specific glossary, dissecting methodology, techniques and previously unrecorded sexual dimorphism in some difficult groups

The terminology used for the morphological structures of the abdomen as well as male and female genitalia across the superfamily Scarabaeoidea is discussed, based on a literature review across the group. Issues relating to the orientation of the male terminalia and potential homologies between the ‘genital capsule’- and ‘spiculum gastrale’-bearing taxa are discussed and standardisation of terminology pertaining to some ambiguous terms is proposed. A Scarabaeoidea-specific glossary is presented, and synonyms across the literature are given. Schematic illustrations of the abdomen and terminalia are provided. Some new morphological structures are here described for the first time. A standardised dissection protocol for male and female Scarabaeoidea is proposed. Sexually dimorphic structures in the abdomen of Pleurosticti (Dynastinae, Rutelinae, Melolonthinae and Cetoniinae), Glaphyridae, Phaenomeridinae, Passalidae and Omorgus (Trogidae) are described and illustrated for the first time, providing future workers with the possibility to determine the sex of specimens based on external characters without the need for dissection.

A review of the genus Lankaphthona Medvedev, 2001, with comments on the modified phallobase and the unique abdominal appendage of L. binotata (Baly) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

The flea beetle genus Lankaphthona Medvedev, 2001 is redescribed and a new species L.yunnantarsellasp. nov. Ruan, Konstantinov & Prathapan is described. Longitarsella Medvedev, 2009, syn. nov. and Philotarsa Medvedev, 2009, syn. nov. are newly synonymized with Lankaphthona. Philotarsalaosica Medvedev, 2009, syn. nov. is synonymized with Lankaphthonaphuketensis (Gruev, 1989). The following new combinations are proposed: Lankaphthonabinotata (Baly, 1876), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonacostata (Medvedev, 2016), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonacyanipennis (Medvedev, 2017), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonanigronotata (Jacoby, 1896), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonanotatipennis (Medvedev, 2009), comb. nov.; and Lankaphthonaphuketensis (Gruev, 1989), comb. nov., status restored. A highly specialized spoon-shaped ‘appendage’ is discovered on the first abdominal ventrite of males of Lankaphthonabinotata. Aedeagus of the same species has aberrant sheath-shaped phallobase encircling the median lobe. Morphology and possible function of these structures are discussed. Menispermaceae are newly reported as the host plants of the genus.

A general theory of genital homologies for the Hexapoda (Pancrustacea) derived from skeletomuscular correspondences, with emphasis on the Endopterygota

No consensus exists for the homology and terminology of the male genitalia of the Hexapoda despite over a century of debate. Based on dissections and the literature, genital skeletomusculature was compared across the Hexapoda and contrasted with the Remipedia, the closest pancrustacean outgroup. The pattern of origin and insertion for extrinsic and intrinsic genitalic musculature was found to be consistent among the Ectognatha, Protura, and the Remipedia, allowing for the inference of homologies given recent phylogenomic studies. The penis of the Hexapoda is inferred to be derived from medially-fused primary gonopods (gonopore-bearing limbs), while the genitalia of the Ectognatha are inferred to include both the tenth-segmental penis and the ninth-segmental secondary gonopods, similar to the genitalia of female insects which comprise gonopods of the eighth and ninth segments. A new nomenclatural system for hexapodan genitalic musculature is presented and applied, and a general list of anatomical concepts is provided. Novel and refined homologies are proposed for all hexapodan orders, and a series of groundplans are postulated. Emphasis is placed on the Endopterygota, for which fine-grained transition series are hypothesized given observed skeletomuscular correspondences.

Structure, variation, and systematic implications of the hemipenes of liolaemid lizards (Reptilia: Liolaemidae)

The structure of copulatory organs is widely used in systematics for both differentiating species and for studying phylogenetic relationships. We describe the hemipenes of 42 species belonging to the genus Liolaemus, representing most of their internal groups. We reported 42 characters, the majority not published previously. We constructed a metatree based on previously proposed phylogenetic studies and optimized the hemipenial characters in this topology. Among the most informative characters are presence or absence of flounces or calyces on the sulcate face, ornamentation of the apex, presence or absence of an asulcate face prominence, and presence of a thickening on the proximal region of the asulcate face. Furthermore, we performed a phylogenetic analysis exclusively with the hemipenial characters, not with the intention of making a phylogeny based on this single set of characters, but rather to demonstrate their significance for the reconstruction of relationships in Liolaemus. The obtained results show that the main clades are recovered. We also compared the hemipenial morphology between closely related species to evaluate its taxonomic importance. We conclude that in Liolaemus, the hemipenes can be used both for the differentiation of species and to provide additional evidence for establishing their phylogenetic relationships.

Male reproductive system and spermatogenesis of Limodromus assimilis (Paykull 1790)

Based on advanced light and electron microscopy, we describe the male reproductive system and sperm development of Limodromus assimilis. The genital tract consists of pairs of uni-follicular testes, spermatic ducts with diverticula regions, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, an unpaired ejaculatory duct and an aedeagus containing an internal sac equipped with sclerotic scales. Based on their morphology, we draw conclusions about their functions. After spermatogenesis within the follicle, the spermatozoa become released from the sperm cysts. The single spermatozoa move into the diverticula of the vasa deferentia I. Here, they become attached to central rods (spermatostyles), forming secondary conjugates (spermiozeugmata). The coordinated flagella movement of the conjugates possibly improves sperm velocity. Using super-resolution microscopy, we identified highly condensed reticulate chromatin in the lancet-shaped spermatozoa heads and the mitochondrial derivates of the flagella, likely formed by genomic and mitochondrial DNA, respectively. The results show, for the first time, sperm bundle formation in a Platynini species mainly corresponding to that found in Pterostichini species.

Functional morphology of the copulatory organs of a reed beetle and a shining leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Donaciinae, Criocerinae) using X-ray micro-computed tomography

For more than 100 years it has been known that the sclerotised median lobe of beetles harbours a membranous structure (the "internal sac" or "endophallus") which is everted during copula inside the female genital tract. In order to explore the functional role of this structure and those associated with it, we cryofixed copulating pairs of Donaciasemicuprea and Liliocerislilii and studied the relative position of the elements of the copulatory apparatus of males and females by micro-computer-tomography.

We found that the everted endophallus fills the lumen of the bursa copulatrix completely. Our data suggest that in Liliocerislilii the tip of the sclerotised distal part of the ejaculatory duct, the flagellum, is positioned exactly over the opening of the spermathecal duct inside the bursa copulatrix. The mouth of the bursa copulatrix in Donaciasemicuprea is armed with a strong muscle ring, and the whole wall of the bursa is covered externally with a layer of muscle fibres. These morphological differences correspond with differences in mating behaviour: In reed beetles (Donaciinae), females seemingly can control mating to a higher degree than in lily beetles (Lilioceris spp.).

New fossil species of ommatids (Coleoptera: Archostemata) from the Middle Mesozoic of China illuminating the phylogeny of Ommatidae

BACKGROUND

Ommatidae is arguably the "most ancestral" extant beetle family. Recent species of this group are only found in South America and Australia, but the fossil record reveals a much broader geographical distribution in the Mesozoic. Up to now, thirteen fossil genera with more than 100 species of ommatids have been described. However, the systematic relationships of the extant and extinct Ommatidae have remained obscure. Three constraint topologies were designed based on Kirejtshuk's hypothesis, enforced the monophyly of Tetraphalerus + Odontomma, Pareuryomma + Notocupes and both respectively.

RESULTS

In this study, four new species, Pareuryomma ancistrodonta sp. nov., Pareuryomma cardiobasis sp. nov., Omma delicata sp. nov., and Tetraphalerus decorosus sp. nov., are described. Based on well-preserved fossil specimens and previously published data the phylogenetic relationships of extant and extinct lineages of Ommatidae were analyzed for the first time cladistically. Based on the results we propose a new classification with six tribes of Ommatidae: Pronotocupedini, Notocupedini, Lithocupedini, Brochocoleini, Ommatini and Tetraphalerini. These taxa replace the traditional four subfamilies.

CONCLUSION

There is good support for the monophyly of the ingroup. Notocupedini, as defined by Ponomarenko, are paraphyletic. Notocupoides + Eurydictyon are the sister group of the remaining fossil and extant ommatids. Together they form the clade Pronotocupedini. Notocupedini and Lithocupedini are the next two branches. The tribe Brochocoleini is the sister group of a clade comprising Tetraphalerini and Ommatini.

CLASSIFICATION, RECONSTRUCTED PHYLOGENY, AND GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE NEW WORLD MEMBERS OF PLATEUMARIS THOMSON, 1859 (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: DONACIINAE)

North American members of the genus Plateumaris Thomson, 1859, are revised; 17 species are recognized and 23 taxonomic changes are made in their classification. Plateumaris balli and P. schaefferi are described as new species. Names elevated from subspecies to species rank are P. robusta (Schaeffer) and P. frosti (Schaeffer); P. aurifera (LeConte) is revalidated, removed from junior synonymy with P. wallisi (Schaeffer); Donacia idola Hatch is considered a junior subjective synonym of P. dubia (Schaeffer); D. pyritosa LeConte is considered a junior subjective synonym of P. pusilla (Say); an altered species concept is transferred to P. flavipes (Kirby), with D. wallisi Schaeffer as a new junior subjective synonym, and P. flavipes of authors is correctly named P. shoemakeri (Schaeffer); D. longicollis Schaeffer and D. vermiculata Schaeffer are considered new junior subjective synonyms of P. neomexicana (Schaeffer); D. flavipennis Mannerheim is considered a junior subjective synonym of P. germari (Mannerheim); D. rufa Say (not D. rufa of authors) is transferred to Plateumaris from Donacia, with an altered species concept applied to it, and D. affinis Kirby, D. sulcicollis Lacordaire, D. chalcea Lacordaire, D. kirbyi Lacordaire, and D. jucunda LeConte are considered new junior subjective synonyms of P. rufa (Say). The taxon previously considered D. nitida Germar (sensu Schaeffer) is redescribed as P. schaefferi; P. nitida (Germar) is a valid, different species, with D. emarginata Kirby, D. juncina Couper, and D. pacifica Schaeffer considered new junior subjective synonyms of P. nitida. Neotypes are designated for Donacia pusilla Say, Donacia rufa Say, Donacia metallica Ahrens and Donacia nana Melsheimer; lectotypes are designated for all other names, where necessary.Among Palaearctic taxa, Plateumaris morimotoi Kimoto and P. hirashimai Kimoto are considered new junior subjective synonyms of P. weisei Duvivier, and P. sachalinensis Medvedev, P. orientalis Shavrov and Donacia mongolica Semenov are considered probable junior subjective synonyms of P. weisei; P. sulcifrons Weise and P. affinis (Kunze) and its synonyms are considered new junior subjective synonyms of P. rustica (Kunze); P. caucasica Zaitsev is considered a probable junior subjective synonym of P. roscida Weise; P. discolor (Panzer) (and its synonyms) and P. lacordairii (Perris) are considered junior subjective synonyms of P. sericea (L.); new P. obsoleta Jacobson and P. socia Chen are considered probable junior subjective synonyms of P. sericea.Based on phylogenetic analysis, five species groups are recognized, the P. braccata group (two species), P. rufa group (five species), P. pusilla group (eight species), P. shoemakeri group (four species), and P. nitida group (seven species). The current subgeneric classification of Plateumaris is rejected. Characters hitherto used for subgenera of Plateumaris are shown to be either plesiomorphic or widely distributed among unrelated taxa; the relatively minor structural differences do not merit use of a subgeneric classification. Juliusina Reitter is a junior objective synonym of Plateumaris Thomson.Based on fossil and chorological data, the geographic history of donaciines in general and of Plateumaris in particular is deduced to be so old as to obscure correlations of more recent phylogenetic divergences with specific geologic events. The geographic history of even the most highly derived donaciine groups extends well into the Cretaceous. Therefore, explanations are speculative beyond the generality that donaciines have a long geologic history.

Family-group names in Coleoptera (Insecta)

We synthesize data on all known extant and fossil Coleoptera family-group names for the first time. A catalogue of 4887 family-group names (124 fossil, 4763 extant) based on 4707 distinct genera in Coleoptera is given. A total of 4492 names are available, 183 of which are permanently invalid because they are based on a preoccupied or a suppressed type genus. Names are listed in a classification framework. We recognize as valid 24 superfamilies, 211 families, 541 subfamilies, 1663 tribes and 740 subtribes. For each name, the original spelling, author, year of publication, page number, correct stem and type genus are included. The original spelling and availability of each name were checked from primary literature. A list of necessary changes due to Priority and Homonymy problems, and actions taken, is given. Current usage of names was conserved, whenever possible, to promote stability of the classification.New synonymies (family-group names followed by genus-group names): Agronomina Gistel, 1848 syn. nov. of Amarina Zimmermann, 1832 (Carabidae), Hylepnigalioini Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Melandryini Leach, 1815 (Melandryidae), Polycystophoridae Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Malachiinae Fleming, 1821 (Melyridae), Sclerasteinae Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Ptilininae Shuckard, 1839 (Ptinidae), Phloeonomini Ádám, 2001 syn. nov. of Omaliini MacLeay, 1825 (Staphylinidae), Sepedophilini Ádám, 2001 syn. nov. of Tachyporini MacLeay, 1825 (Staphylinidae), Phibalini Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Cteniopodini Solier, 1835 (Tenebrionidae); Agronoma Gistel 1848 (type species Carabus familiaris Duftschmid, 1812, designated herein) syn. nov. of Amara Bonelli, 1810 (Carabidae), Hylepnigalio Gistel, 1856 (type species Chrysomela caraboides Linnaeus, 1760, by monotypy) syn. nov. of Melandrya Fabricius, 1801 (Melandryidae), Polycystophorus Gistel, 1856 (type species Cantharis aeneus Linnaeus, 1758, designated herein) syn. nov. of Malachius Fabricius, 1775 (Melyridae), Sclerastes Gistel, 1856 (type species Ptilinus costatus Gyllenhal, 1827, designated herein) syn. nov. of Ptilinus Geoffroy, 1762 (Ptinidae), Paniscus Gistel, 1848 (type species Scarabaeus fasciatus Linnaeus, 1758, designated herein) syn. nov. of Trichius Fabricius, 1775 (Scarabaeidae), Phibalus Gistel, 1856 (type species Chrysomela pubescens Linnaeus, 1758, by monotypy) syn. nov. of Omophlus Dejean, 1834 (Tenebrionidae). The following new replacement name is proposed: Gompeliina Bouchard, 2011 nom. nov. for Olotelina Báguena Corella, 1948 (Aderidae).Reversal of Precedence (Article 23.9) is used to conserve usage of the following names (family-group names followed by genus-group names): Perigonini Horn, 1881 nom. protectum over Trechicini Bates, 1873 nom. oblitum (Carabidae), Anisodactylina Lacordaire, 1854 nom. protectum over Eurytrichina LeConte, 1848 nom. oblitum (Carabidae), Smicronychini Seidlitz, 1891 nom. protectum over Desmorini LeConte, 1876 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Bagoinae Thomson, 1859 nom. protectum over Lyprinae Gistel 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Aterpina Lacordaire, 1863 nom. protectum over Heliomenina Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Naupactini Gistel, 1848 nom. protectum over Iphiini Schönherr, 1823 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Cleonini Schönherr, 1826 nom. protectum over Geomorini Schönherr, 1823 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Magdalidini Pascoe, 1870 nom. protectum over Scardamyctini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Agrypninae/-ini Candèze, 1857 nom. protecta over Adelocerinae/-ini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblita and Pangaurinae/-ini Gistel, 1856 nom. oblita (Elateridae), Prosternini Gistel, 1856 nom. protectum over Diacanthini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Elateridae), Calopodinae Costa, 1852 nom. protectum over Sparedrinae Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Oedemeridae), Adesmiini Lacordaire, 1859 nom. protectum over Macropodini Agassiz, 1846 nom. oblitum (Tenebrionidae), Bolitophagini Kirby, 1837 nom. protectum over Eledonini Billberg, 1820 nom. oblitum (Tenebrionidae), Throscidae Laporte, 1840 nom. protectum over Stereolidae Rafinesque, 1815 nom. oblitum (Throscidae) and Lophocaterini Crowson, 1964 over Lycoptini Casey, 1890 nom. oblitum (Trogossitidae); Monotoma Herbst, 1799 nom. protectum over Monotoma Panzer, 1792 nom. oblitum (Monotomidae); Pediacus Shuckard, 1839 nom. protectum over Biophloeus Dejean, 1835 nom. oblitum (Cucujidae), Pachypus Dejean, 1821 nom. protectum over Pachypus Billberg, 1820 nom. oblitum (Scarabaeidae), Sparrmannia Laporte, 1840 nom. protectum over Leocaeta Dejean, 1833 nom. oblitum and Cephalotrichia Hope, 1837 nom. oblitum (Scarabaeidae).