Larval Characters (larval + character)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Morphology and metamorphosis of Eupsophus calcaratus tadpoles (anura: Leptodactylidae)

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
M.F. Vera Candioti
Abstract Eupsophus calcaratus, a leptodactyloid frog from the austral Andean forests of Argentina and Chile, has endotrophic, nidicolous tadpoles. We studied a metamorphic series from Stages 31 to 46 of Gosner's developmental table (1960). Other than the scarce pigmentation, proportionately large eyes, and massive developing hindlimbs, the remaining external characters are similar to those of generalized, exotrophic larvae. At the same time, internal morphology does not reveal any character state attributable to the endotrophic-nidicolous way of life; conversely, structures such as the hyobranchial skeleton and the mandibular cartilages are similar to those of exotrophic-macrophagous tadpoles. The metamorphic process is characterized by the delayed development of diverse structures (e.g., ethmoid region, palatoquadrate, and hyobranchial apparatus), and the retention of some larval characters (e.g., parietal fenestrae, overall absence of ossification) with the absence of development of some "juvenile" characters (e.g., adult otic process, several bones) in metamorphosed individuals. These heterochronic processes and truncation of larval development are related to a shorter larval life (when compared to other species of the austral Andean region) and to the small size at metamorphosis. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Achuarmychus carltoni, new genus and new species of Neotropical Lycoperdininae (Coleoptera, Endomychidae)

MITTEILUNGEN AUS DEM MUSEUM FUER NATURKUNDE IN BERLIN-DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, Issue 2 2004
K. Wioletta Tomaszewska
Abstract A new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Endomychidae, Lycoperdininae) from South America (Ecuador), Achuarmychus carltoni, is described and illustrated based on larvae and adults. Adult and larval characters concerning similarities to other Endomychidae and Lycoperdininae in particular are discussed. [source]


Redescription of Dixella humeralis (Tonnoir) with notes on the immature stages (Diptera: Dixidae)

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
Joshua R Ogawa
Abstract The adult male of Dixella humeralis is redescribed and adult female and immature life stages are described for the first time. Originally described from the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, the current range is extended to include the pasture lands of the Dorrigo Plateau. Larval and pupal chaetotaxy are illustrated and their putative homology with the Culicidae is discussed. Adult and larval characters are presented that separate the known endemic Australian Dixella species. [source]


Do larvae evolve the same way as adults in Tingidae (Insecta: Heteroptera)?

CLADISTICS, Issue 2 2004
Eric Guilbert
A recent cladistic analysis showed that adult traits of Tingidae, which exhibit a great variety of shapes, evolved homoplastically from simple to complex (Guilbert, 2001). These complex traits, often exaggerated, were hypothesized to be adaptive. However, this study, as well as another by Lis (1999), both based on adult morphology, contradict the traditional classification of Tingidae. A new analysis is performed here, that includes larval characters, which, like those of adults, have a great variety of shapes. The results corroborate the traditional classification of the Tingidae. No clear divisions among Tinginae are drawn from the analysis, but an evolutionary pattern of shapes among Tingidae emerges from this study. There is a global tendency for larval traits to evolve convergently from simple to complex, as suggested for adults. The pattern seen in adult and larval traits is independent, but consistent. These traits can be used in the same anti-predation context, but with different roles. [source]