RESUMO

The sperm ultrastructure of a few representative species of Tenebrionoidea was studied. Two species belong to the Mordellidae (Mordellistena brevicauda and Hoshihananomia sp.), one species to Oedemeridae (Oedemera nobilis), and one species to Tenebrionidae (Accanthopus velikensis). It is confirmed that Mordellidae are characterized by the lowest number of spermatozoa per cyst (up to 64), a number shared with Ripiphoridae. In contrast, in the two other families, up to 512 spermatozoa per cyst are observed, the same number present, for example, in Tenebrionidae. Also, as in the other more derived families of tenebrionoids studied so far, during spermatogenesis in O. nobilis and A. velikensis, sperm nuclei are regularly distributed in two sets at opposite poles of the cysts. On the contrary, the Mordellidae species do not exhibit this peculiar process. However, during spermiogenesis, the bundles of sperm bend to form a loop in their median region, quite evident in the Hoshihananomia sp., characterized by long sperm. This process, which also occurs in Ripiphoridae, probably enables individuals to produce long sperm without an increase in testicular volume. The sperm looping could be a consequence of the asynchronous growth between cyst size and sperm length. The sperm ultrastructure of the Mordellidae species reveals that they can be differentiated from other Tenebrionoidea based on the shape and size of some sperm components, such as the accessory bodies and the mitochondrial derivatives. They also show an uncommon stiff and immotile posterior flagellar region provided with only accessory tubules. These results contribute to a better knowledge of the phylogenetic relationship of the basal families of the large group of Tenebrionoidea.

RESUMO

Species of Macrosiagon Hentz are known to be wasp and bee parasitoids. Here, we present information on Macrosiagon octomaculata (Gerstaecker, 1855), including eggs and triungulinids, found on Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano (Eriocaulaceae) blooming in restinga habitat on Santa Catarina Island, South Brazil. This is the first record of an Eriocaulaceae species playing an important role in the Macrosiagon bionomics and the first accurate record of Ripiphoridae for southern Brazil, Santa Catarina state. In the study area, P. polyanthus attracted an inordinate number of insect species and one Thynnidae wasp was captured with a triungulinid on its wing. Eggs and triungulinids were also found on one plant of P. polyanthus and associated with M. octomaculata. We provide descriptions of the female reproductive organs as well as the morphology of the triungulinid of M. octomaculata. A detailed examination of the triungulinid revealed novelties that complement information from previous publications regarding the Ripiphoridae. We also compare triungulinids of M. octomaculata with those of other species, and provide a table summarizing comparative characters. Finally, we provide a table with current information on the recorded host species and immatures of Macrosiagon.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Species of Macrosiagon Hentz are known to be wasp and bee parasitoids. Here, we present information on Macrosiagon octomaculata (Gerstaecker, 1855), including eggs and triungulinids, found on Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano (Eriocaulaceae) blooming in restinga habitat on Santa Catarina Island, South Brazil. This is the first record of an Eriocaulaceae species playing an important role in the Macrosiagon bionomics and the first accurate record of Ripiphoridae for southern Brazil, Santa Catarina state. In the study area, P. polyanthus attracted an inordinate number of insect species and one Thynnidae wasp was captured with a triungulinid on its wing. Eggs and triungulinids were also found on one plant of P. polyanthus and associated with M. octomaculata. We provide descriptions of the female reproductive organs as well as the morphology of the triungulinid of M. octomaculata. A detailed examination of the triungulinid revealed novelties that complement information from previous publications regarding the Ripiphoridae. We also compare triungulinids of M. octomaculata with those of other species, and provide a table summarizing comparative characters. Finally, we provide a table with current information on the recorded host species and immatures of Macrosiagon.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract Species of Macrosiagon Hentz are known to be wasp and bee parasitoids. Here, we present information on Macrosiagon octomaculata (Gerstaecker, 1855), including eggs and triungulinids, found on Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano (Eriocaulaceae) blooming in restinga habitat on Santa Catarina Island, South Brazil. This is the first record of an Eriocaulaceae species playing an important role in the Macrosiagon bionomics and the first accurate record of Ripiphoridae for southern Brazil, Santa Catarina state. In the study area, P. polyanthus attracted an inordinate number of insect species and one Thynnidae wasp was captured with a triungulinid on its wing. Eggs and triungulinids were also found on one plant of P. polyanthus and associated with M. octomaculata. We provide descriptions of the female reproductive organs as well as the morphology of the triungulinid of M. octomaculata. A detailed examination of the triungulinid revealed novelties that complement information from previous publications regarding the Ripiphoridae. We also compare triungulinids of M. octomaculata with those of other species, and provide a table summarizing comparative characters. Finally, we provide a table with current information on the recorded host species and immatures of Macrosiagon.

RESUMO

Taxonomic notes are provided on species of the uncommonly encountered ripiphorid subfamily Pelecotominae. Zapotecotomasumichrasti gen. et sp. nov., is described from southern Mexico based on a unique male likely collected in the later part of the mid-19th Century. The discovery of additional species of the South African genus Clinops Gerstaecker permit a revised diagnosis and distinction of the group from the eastern Mediterranean genus Scotoscopus Brenske and Reitter, resurrected status. Two new species of Clinops are established: Clinopsinexpectatus sp. nov. (northeast of Durban near Swaziland) and C.perpessus sp. nov. (region of Durban), and Scotoscopusspectabilis (Schaufuss) is newly recorded for the Peloponnese in Greece.

RESUMO

Three new species of Falsocis Pic are described: Falsocis aquiloniussp. n. from Panamá, Costa Rica and Colombia, Falsocis egregiussp. n. from a single locality in northern Brazil and Falsocis occultussp. n. from two localities in southeastern and southern Brazil. New records, comparative notes and an identification key for male and female specimens of Falsocis species are also provided.

RESUMO

Litargus tetraspilotus LeConte, 1856 was collected feeding on Oidium sp. (Fungi, Ascomycota, Erysiphaceae) associated with fruit trees. This is the first time L. tetraspilotus is recorded in Brazil, totaling three species of Mycetophagidae for this country. This study aims to provide a complementary description of this species based on new characters and to present information on its life cycle under laboratory conditions and fluctuation in population in the field. During the period of inventories between July 2004 and August 2006, about every fifteen days, a total of 565 specimens of L. tetraspilotus were collected, with the highest abundance found on citrus plants, with values differing significantly between the two years. The population levels differed between the seasons; spring had the greatest abundance and autumn the least. There was a significant positive correlation of L. tetraspilotus abundance with rainfall and relative humidity. Mycetophagidae, as well as other mycophagous families of Brazilian coleopterans, are barely studied, warranting further future studies of their bioecology and systematics.

Litargus tetraspilotus LeConte, 1856 foi coletado alimentando-se de Oidium sp. (Fungi, Ascomycota, Erysiphaceae) associado a árvores frutíferas. Litargus tetraspilotus é registrado pela primeira vez no Brasil, totalizando três espécies de Mycetophagidae no país. Esse trabalho teve como objetivos fornecer uma descrição complementar da espécie, com base em novos caracteres e apresentar informações sobre seu ciclo de vida em condições de laboratório e dados de flutuação populacional no campo. Durante o período de inventariamento de julho/2004 a agosto/2006, a cada quinze dias, foram coletados 565 exemplares de L. tetraspilotus, sendo os maiores valores de abundância encontrados nas plantas cítricas, com variação significativa entre os dois anos de coleta. Os níveis populacionais diferiram entre as estações, sendo a primavera o período de maior abundância e o outono, o de menor. Houve correlação positiva significativa com a precipitação e a umidade relativa do ar. Mycetophagidae, assim como outras famílias de coleópteros micófagos brasileiros, são muito pouco estudadas, sendo necessário pesquisas futuras sobre sua bioecologia e sistemática.

RESUMO

Litargus tetraspilotus LeConte, 1856 was collected feeding on Oidium sp. (Fungi, Ascomycota, Erysiphaceae) associated with fruit trees. This is the first time L. tetraspilotus is recorded in Brazil, totaling three species of Mycetophagidae for this country. This study aims to provide a complementary description of this species based on new characters and to present information on its life cycle under laboratory conditions and fluctuation in population in the field. During the period of inventories between July 2004 and August 2006, about every fifteen days, a total of 565 specimens of L. tetraspilotus were collected, with the highest abundance found on citrus plants, with values differing significantly between the two years. The population levels differed between the seasons; spring had the greatest abundance and autumn the least. There was a significant positive correlation of L. tetraspilotus abundance with rainfall and relative humidity. Mycetophagidae, as well as other mycophagous families of Brazilian coleopterans, are barely studied, warranting further future studies of their bioecology and systematics.

Litargus tetraspilotus LeConte, 1856 foi coletado alimentando-se de Oidium sp. (Fungi, Ascomycota, Erysiphaceae) associado a árvores frutíferas. Litargus tetraspilotus é registrado pela primeira vez no Brasil, totalizando três espécies de Mycetophagidae no país. Esse trabalho teve como objetivos fornecer uma descrição complementar da espécie, com base em novos caracteres e apresentar informações sobre seu ciclo de vida em condições de laboratório e dados de flutuação populacional no campo. Durante o período de inventariamento de julho/2004 a agosto/2006, a cada quinze dias, foram coletados 565 exemplares de L. tetraspilotus, sendo os maiores valores de abundância encontrados nas plantas cítricas, com variação significativa entre os dois anos de coleta. Os níveis populacionais diferiram entre as estações, sendo a primavera o período de maior abundância e o outono, o de menor. Houve correlação positiva significativa com a precipitação e a umidade relativa do ar. Mycetophagidae, assim como outras famílias de coleópteros micófagos brasileiros, são muito pouco estudadas, sendo necessário pesquisas futuras sobre sua bioecologia e sistemática.