Divided and undivided compound eyes in Ascalaphidae (Insecta, Neuroptera) and their functional and phylogenetic significance

Fischer, Klaus; Hölzel, Herbert; Kral, Karl

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0469.2006.00373.x

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…The eyes of Ululodini (except Albardia ) and Ascalaphini are ‘split’, containing discrete (but broadly conjoined) dorsal and ventral lobes. It has been shown in a few species (Kral, ; Fischer et al ., ; Belušič et al ., ) that the photoreceptivity of the ommatidia in these lobes varies, with the dorsal lobes adapted for visualizing objects against a background of the sky, which is advantageous for aerial hunting, particularly during daylight. This character has often been used as a synapomorphy of the former owlfly subfamily Ascalaphinae sensu Van der Weele (Van der Weele, ; Henry, , b; Oswald, ).…”

Section: Summaries Of Subfamilies and Tribesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owlflies are derived antlions: anchored phylogenomics supports a new phylogeny and classification of Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera)

Machado

Gillung

Winterton

et al. 2018

Systematic Entomology

152

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The first phylogenomic analysis of the antlions is presented, based on 325 genes captured using anchored hybrid enrichment. A concatenated matrix including 207 species of Myrmeleontoidea (170 Myrmeleontidae) was analysed under maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Both Myrmeleontidae (antlions) and Ascalaphidae (owlflies) were recovered as paraphyletic with respect to each other. The majority of the subfamilies traditionally assigned to both Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae were also recovered as paraphyletic. By contrast, all traditional antlion tribes were recovered as monophyletic (except Brachynemurini), but most subtribes were found to be paraphyletic. When compared with the traditional classification of Myrmeleontidae, our results do not support the current taxonomy. Therefore, based on our phylogenomic results, we propose a new classification for the antlions, which synonymizes Ascalaphidae with Myrmeleontidae and divides the family into four subfamilies (Ascalaphinae, Myrmeleontinae, Dendroleontinae and Nemoleontinae) and 17 tribes. We also highlight the most pressing issues in antlion systematics and indicate taxa that need further taxonomic and phylogenetic attention. Finally, we present a comprehensive table placing all extant genera of antlions and owlflies in our new proposed classification, including details on the number of species, distribution and notes on the likely monophyly of each genus.

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Section: Summaries Of Subfamilies and Tribesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owlflies are derived antlions: anchored phylogenomics supports a new phylogeny and classification of Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera)

Machado

Gillung

Winterton

et al. 2018

Systematic Entomology

152

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“…Two-thirds of the species are placed in the first subfamily, and the remaining species (approximately 90) are placed in the second one, whereas the third subfamily contains only one species (van der Weele 1908, Sekimoto and Yoshizawa 2007). To date, no wide-ranging modern phylogenetic analyses of higher ascalaphid relationships have been published (Fischer et al 2006). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chromosome numbers in antlions (Myrmeleontidae) and owlflies (Ascalaphidae) (Insecta, Neuroptera)

Kuznetsova¹,

Khabiev

Krivokhatsky³

2015

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A short review of main cytogenetic features of insects belonging to the sister neuropteran families Myrmeleontidae (antlions) and Ascalaphidae (owlflies) is presented, with a particular focus on their chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems. Diploid male chromosome numbers are listed for 37 species, 21 genera from 9 subfamilies of the antlions as well as for seven species and five genera of the owlfly subfamily Ascalaphinae. The list includes data on five species whose karyotypes were studied in the present work. It is shown here that antlions and owlflies share a simple sex chromosome system XY/XX; a similar range of chromosome numbers, 2n = 14-26 and 2n = 18-22 respectively; and a peculiar distant pairing of sex chromosomes in male meiosis. Usually the karyotype is particularly stable within a genus but there are some exceptions in both families (in the genera Palpares and Libelloides respectively). The Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae differ in their modal chromosome numbers. Most antlions exhibit 2n = 14 and 16, and Palparinae are the only subfamily characterized by higher numbers, 2n = 22, 24, and 26. The higher numbers, 2n = 20 and 22, are also found in owlflies. Since the Palparinae represent a basal phylogenetic lineage of the Myrmeleontidae, it is hypothesized that higher chromosome numbers are ancestral for antlions and were inherited from the common ancestor of Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae. They were preserved in the Palparinae (Myrmeleontidae), but changed via chromosomal fusions toward lower numbers in other subfamilies.

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“…The members of the Haplogleniinae subfamily have undivided eyes (no sulcus) and are active during the dark. The species of the Ascalaphinae subfamily have divided (sulcate) eyes and share both crepuscular and diurnal lifestyles (Fischer et al, 2006). The whole family has optical superposition eyes (Ast, 1920), an eye type mostly found in nocturnal and crepuscular insects (Nilsson, 1989).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cute and highly contrast-sensitive superposition eye - the diurnal owlfly Libelloides macaronius

Belušič

Pirih

Stavenga

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYThe owlfly Libelloides macaronius (Insecta: Neuroptera) has large bipartite eyes of the superposition type. The spatial resolution and sensitivity of the photoreceptor array in the dorsofrontal eye part was studied with optical and electrophysiological methods. Using structured illumination microscopy, the interommatidial angle in the central part of the dorsofrontal eye was determined to be Δj=1.1deg. Eye shine measurements with an epi-illumination microscope yielded an effective superposition pupil size of about 300 facets. Intracellular recordings confirmed that all photoreceptors were UV-receptors (λ max =350nm). The average photoreceptor acceptance angle was 1.8deg, with a minimum of 1.4deg. The receptor dynamic range was two log units, and the Hill coefficient of the intensity-response function was n=1.2. The signal-to-noise ratio of the receptor potential was remarkably high and constant across the whole dynamic range (root mean square r.m.s. noise=0.5% V max ). Quantum bumps could not be observed at any light intensity, indicating low voltage gain. Presumably, the combination of large aperture superposition optics feeding an achromatic array of relatively insensitive receptors with a steep intensity-response function creates a low-noise, high spatial acuity instrument. The sensitivity shift to the UV range reduces the clutter created by clouds within the sky image. These properties of the visual system are optimal for detecting small insect prey as contrasting spots against both clear and cloudy skies.

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Divided and undivided compound eyes in Ascalaphidae (Insecta, Neuroptera) and their functional and phylogenetic significance

Cited by 6 publications

References 16 publications

Owlflies are derived antlions: anchored phylogenomics supports a new phylogeny and classification of Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera)

Owlflies are derived antlions: anchored phylogenomics supports a new phylogeny and classification of Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera)

Chromosome numbers in antlions (Myrmeleontidae) and owlflies (Ascalaphidae) (Insecta, Neuroptera)

A cute and highly contrast-sensitive superposition eye - the diurnal owlfly Libelloides macaronius

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