Teratological cases of the antennae in the family Aradidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

Abstract

Artur taszakowski * & natalia Kaszyca-taszakowska teratological cases of the antennae in the family Aradidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are widely described for the first time. Four hundred seventy-six specimens of flat bugs were studied, and antennal malformations were found in 14 of them (2.94%) (belonging to eight species and three subfamilies: Aradinae, Aneurinae and Mezirinae). All of the teratologies were observed using optical microscopy; moreover, in order to determine any compensatory regeneration, selected cases were also studied using a scanning electron microscope. In almost all of the specimens, the successful regeneration of the sensory organs to various degrees was observed. Additional results were the discovery of a previously unrecognized type of sensillum in flat bugs-a campaniform sensillum as well as significant differences in the distribution of the sensilla depending on the systematic affiliation.

Labial Sensory Organs of Two Leptoglossus Species (Hemiptera: Coreidae): Their Morphology and Supposed Function

“…The photographs ( Figure 1 ) were taken following the method described by Taszakowski and Kaszyca [ 54 ]. To prepare high-quality photos that would enable advanced processing (e.g., obtaining a uniform background), the specimens were stuck onto transparent entomological glue boards and then cleaned with a thin brush.…”

“…The material was dissected to separate the labia from the head and cleaned in detergent using an ultrasonic cleaner. Then, the standard procedure was applied [ 54 ]: dehydration with a series of baths in 80%, 90%, and 96% ethanol solutions, for 20 min each, and two baths of 99.8% ethanol solution for 30 min each. The labia were glued with carbon adhesive discs on the aluminium pin stubs, which then were coated with a film of gold (30 nm) using the Q150T ES sputter coater with the rotary planetary stage (Quorum Technologies Ltd., Laughton, UK).…”

Closer view of antennal sensory organs of two Leptoglossus species (Insecta, Hemiptera, Coreidae)

“…The material was dissected to obtain only antennae or whole heads and cleaned in detergent using an ultrasonic cleaner. Then, the standard procedure was applied 65 : dehydration with a series of baths in 80%, 90% and 96% ethanol solutions for 20 min each and two baths of 99.8% ethanol solution for 30 min each. The antennae were glued with carbon adhesive discs on the aluminium pin stubs, which then were coated with a film of gold (30 nm) using Q150T ES sputter coater with the rotary planetary stage (Quorum Technologies Ltd., Laughton, United Kingdom).…”

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Antennae and Mouthparts of Mezira yunnana Hsiao (Hemiptera: Aradidae): Specialized Microstructures Reflecting Adaptation to Mycetophagy

“…The types of antennal sensilla in Aradidae are summarized (Table 3). The most notable character of the antennae of the mycetophagous flat bugs is that the apex of the second segment of flagellum has large number of different types of sensilla, forming a sensilla cluster [19]. Flat bugs generally feed on fungi that grows in relatively hidden and less heterogeneous microhabitats, such as under the bark of dead trees and/or in leaf litter [23,24].…”

“…In contrast, research on mycetophagous species is rare. In Heteroptera, mycetophagy is mainly recorded in the family Aradidae (commonly called the "flat bugs") [12,19,20]. Aradidae is a group with 8 subfamilies and more than 2000 species in the world [21,22].…”