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Bao-zhen Hua - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The highly rearranged karyotype of the hangingfly Bittacus sinicus (Mecoptera, Bittacidae): the lowest chromosome number in the order.
Comparative cytogenetics, 2020Co-Authors: Ying Miao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Cytogenetic features of the hangingfly Bittacus sinicus Issiki, 1931 were investigated for the first time using C-banding and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. The karyotype analyses show that the male B. sinicus possesses the lowest chromosome number (2n = 15) ever observed in Mecoptera, and an almost symmetric karyotype with MCA (Mean Centromeric Asymmetry) of 12.55 and CVCL (Coefficient of Variation of Chromosome Length) of 19.78. The chromosomes are either metacentric or submetacentric with their sizes decreasing gradually. Both the C-banding and DAPI+ patterns detect intermediate heterochromatin on the pachytene bivalents of B. sinicus, definitely different from the heterochromatic segment at one bivalent terminal of other bittacids studied previously. The male meiosis of B. sinicus is chiasmate with two chiasmata in metacentric bivalents and one in the submetacentric bivalent. The sex determination mechanism is X0(♂), which is likely plesiomorphic in Bittacidae. Two alternative scenarios of karyotype origin and evolution in Bittacus Latreille, 1805 are discussed.
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How Does the Male Penisfilum Enter the Female Copulatory Pore in Hangingflies
Insects, 2020Co-Authors: Zheng Wei, Xin Tong, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Hangingflies are characterized by the interesting nuptial feeding behavior and unusual belly-to-belly hanging mating position. However, the mating behavior and the copulatory mechanism remain poorly known for Bittacidae, especially how the elongated male penisfilum enters the copulatory pore of the female. In this study, the mating behavior and copulatory mechanism of Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua, 2006) were investigated to reveal the functional morphology of hangingfly genitalia. The results show that the male provides a prey as a nuptial gift to the female and twists his abdomen about 180° to form a belly-to-belly hanging mating position. During the penisfilum-entering process, the male epandrial lobes clamp the female subgenital plate with the aid of the female abdomen swelling. Then the male locates the female copulatory pore through his upper branch of the proctiger and inserts his penisfilum into the female spermathecal duct in cooperation with the short setae on the groove of the proctiger. The female subgenital plate where the epandrial lobes clamp is strongly sclerotized and melanized. The copulatory mechanism of Terrobittacus is briefly discussed.
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Three new species of the genus Bittacus Latreille, 1805 (Mecoptera: Bittacidae), with a key to the species of Bittacidae in South China.
Zootaxa, 2020Co-Authors: Yan-na Zhang, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The Bittacidae of South China consist of two species of Bicaubittacus and eight species of Bittacus, among which three species are described here as new to science. Bittacus acutus sp. n. from Guangxi is recognized mainly by the hat-shaped epandrial lobe with an acute ventro-distal process in the male genitalia. Bittacus shaoguanensis sp. n. from Guangdong is distinguished by the triangular epandrial lobe in the male genitalia, and a V-shaped streak in the central part of wings. Bittacus longilobus sp. n. from Guangdong is recognizable by the main body of the epandrial lobe trapezoid, with an elongate ventro-distal lobe twice as long. The number of described species of the Chinese Bittacus is now raised to 41. A key to the species of Bittacidae in South China is provided.
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Larval morphology of the hangingfly Bicaubittacus longiprocessus (Huang and Hua, 2005) (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) and its taxonomic significance
Zoologischer Anzeiger, 2020Co-Authors: Lu Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Abstract Bittacidae is the only cosmopolitan family in Mecoptera and little information is available on the larval morphology in most genera. Here, we investigate the morphology of the first-instar larva of the two-tailed hanging-fly Bicaubittacus longiprocessus (Huang & Hua, 2005) using light and scanning electron microscopy. The larva is eruciform and possesses three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. The head bears a median ocellus on the frons and a pair of compound eyes with seven ommatidia on the lateral sides of the head. The distal segment of the maxillary palp possesses 11 sensilla basiconica on the apex. Dorsal protuberances bear slender dorsal setae, and are likely adapted to the soil-spraying behavior of the larva for holding soil packs. These morphological features can take a significant part in larval taxonomy in Bittacidae.
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Spermiogenesis of the hangingfly Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua) (Mecoptera: Bittacidae).
Protoplasma, 2019Co-Authors: Ying Miao, Bing-peng Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The structure of spermatozoa is able to provide valuable characters in resolving phylogenic relationships in Metazoa, especially in insects. Such data, however, are greatly deficient in Mecoptera. Here, we studied the spermiogenesis and ultrastructure of sperm in the hangingfly Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua) using transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the spermatogenesis of T. implicatus occurs within sperm cysts, following a pattern commonly found in insects. The microtubular doublets of spermatid axoneme exhibit a hooklike projection from the B-subtubule in the early period, but the projection disappears in the mature stage. The mature spermatozoon of T. implicatus is a filiform cell that is pronouncedly elongated and has a bi-layered acrosome, a nucleus with two lateral longitudinal grooves, a neck region with the centriole adjunct, a flagellum with a simple 9 + 2 axoneme, two extra-axonemal accessory structures, two accessory bodies, and two mitochondrial derivatives of unequal size, and a prominent glycocalyx. The basic structure of spermatozoa of T. implicatus is similar to that of other Mecoptera studied. However, this species shows characteristics unique in Bittacidae, such as the reniform appearance of the centriole adjunct, two triangular accessory bodies with granular materials, and two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives with a circular profile in cross-section. The potential utilization of the sperm ultrastructure for understanding the phylogeny of Bittacidae is briefly discussed.
Qiong-hua Gao - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The sperm pump of the hangingfly Bittacus planus Cheng (Mecoptera: Bittacidae)
Arthropod Structure & Development, 2015Co-Authors: Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The males of antliophoran insects usually use a sperm pump to transfer liquid sperm into the reproductive tract of the female. However, the fine structure of the sperm pump and its ejaculatory mechanism has not been thoroughly clarified in many groups of Mecoptera. In this paper, the structure of the sperm pump was investigated in the hangingfly Bittacus planus Cheng, 1949 using light and scanning electron microscopy. The sperm pump mainly consists of a piston fused with a piston-carrying sclerite, a pumping chamber enclosed by the genital folds, which comprises the posterior region of the ejaculatory sac, an ostial sclerite, a phallobase, and other associated structures and muscles. The piston crown plays a major role in the piston movement. The ostial sclerite serves as a discharge valve and is controlled by two antagonistic muscles. No depressor muscles were found attached to the piston. The sperm pumping activity is mainly controlled by the combination of the levator of the piston and the retractor and protractor of the ostial sclerite. The ejaculatory mechanism and phylogenetic significance are briefly discussed based on the structure of the sperm pump.
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Larval morphology of the hanging-fly Bittacus trapezoideus Huang & Hua (Insecta: Mecoptera: Bittacidae).
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Lu Jiang, Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The first-instar larva of the hanging-fly Bittacus trapezoideus Huang & Hua, 2005 is described using scanning electron microscopy for the first time. The eruciform larva bears three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. Like other species of the family Bittacidae, the larval head is remarkable for bearing a median ocellus frontally and a pair of compound eyes laterally. Each compound eye consists of seven ommatidia. The larval trunk is symmetrically furnished with furcated protuberances. The larva of B. trapezoideus is diagnostic for bearing short brush-shaped setae on dorsal protuberances. In addition, the labial palp possesses nine basiconic sensilla on the apex; the abdomen bears a pair of sensory protuberances beside the protrusible sucker. The function of the furcated protuberances is briefly discussed.
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larval morphology of the hanging fly bittacus trapezoideus huang hua insecta mecoptera Bittacidae
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Lu Jiang, Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The first-instar larva of the hanging-fly Bittacus trapezoideus Huang & Hua, 2005 is described using scanning electron microscopy for the first time. The eruciform larva bears three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. Like other species of the family Bittacidae, the larval head is remarkable for bearing a median ocellus frontally and a pair of compound eyes laterally. Each compound eye consists of seven ommatidia. The larval trunk is symmetrically furnished with furcated protuberances. The larva of B. trapezoideus is diagnostic for bearing short brush-shaped setae on dorsal protuberances. In addition, the labial palp possesses nine basiconic sensilla on the apex; the abdomen bears a pair of sensory protuberances beside the protrusible sucker. The function of the furcated protuberances is briefly discussed.
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Co-Evolution of the Mating Position and Male Genitalia in Insects: A Case Study of a Hangingfly
PloS one, 2013Co-Authors: Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Hangingflies are unique for the male providing a nuptial gift to the female during mating and taking a face-to-face hanging copulation with the female. Their male genitalia are peculiar for an extremely elongated penisfilum, a pair of well-developed epandrial lobes (9th tergum), and a pair of degenerated gonostyli. However, the co-evolution of their face-to-face copulation behavior and the male genitalia has rarely been studied hitherto. In this paper the mating behavior of the hangingfly Bittacus planus Cheng, 1949 was observed under laboratory conditions, and the morphology of the male and female external genitalia was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The male provides an insect prey as a nuptial gift to the female in courtship and mating process, and commits a face-to-face copulation. During copulation, the male abdomen twists temporarily about 180° to accommodate their face-to-face mating position. The aedeagal complex has an extremely elongated penisfilum, corresponding to the elongated spermathecal duct of the female. The well-developed epandrial lobes serve as claspers to grasp the female subgenital plate during copulation, replacing the function of gonostyli, which are greatly reduced in Bittacidae. The modified proctiger assists the penisfilum to stretch and to enter into the female spermathecal duct. The possible reasons why this species might mate face-to-face are briefly discussed.
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B (2013) Co-evolution of the mating position and male genitalia in insects: A case study of a hangingfly. PLoS ONE 8: e80651. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080651
2012Co-Authors: Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Hangingflies are unique for the male providing a nuptial gift to the female during mating and taking a face-to-face hanging copulation with the female. Their male genitalia are peculiar for an extremely elongated penisfilum, a pair of well-developed epandrial lobes (9th tergum), and a pair of degenerated gonostyli. However, the co-evolution of their face-to-face copulation behavior and the male genitalia has rarely been studied hitherto. In this paper the mating behavior of the hangingfly Bittacus planus Cheng, 1949 was observed under laboratory conditions, and the morphology of the male and female external genitalia was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The male provides an insect prey as a nuptial gift to the female in courtship and mating process, and commits a face-to-face copulation. During copulation, the male abdomen twists temporarily about 180u to accommodate their face-to-face mating position. The aedeagal complex has an extremely elongated penisfilum, corresponding to the elongated spermathecal duct of the female. The well-developed epandrial lobes serve as claspers to grasp the female subgenital plate during copulation, replacing the function of gonostyli, which are greatly reduced in Bittacidae. The modified proctiger assists the penisfilum to stretch and to enter into the female spermathecal duct. The possible reasons why this species might mate face-to-face are briefly discussed
Lu Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Functional morphology of the larval mouthparts of Panorpodidae compared with Bittacidae and Panorpidae (Insecta: Mecoptera)
Organisms Diversity & Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Lu Jiang, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:In Mecoptera, the larvae of Bittacidae and Panorpidae are saprophagous, but the feeding habit of larval Panorpodidae remains largely unknown. Here, we compare the ultramorphology of the mouthparts of the larvae among the hangingfly Bittacus planus Cheng, 1949, the scorpionfly Panorpa liui Hua, 1997, and the short-faced scorpionfly Panorpodes kuandianensis Zhong, Zhang & Hua, 2011 to infer the feeding habits of Panorpodidae. The molar region of Panorpodidae is glabrous, lacking the long spines for filtering (preventing larger particles from entering the pharynx) as found in Bittacidae or the tuberculate teeth for grinding as present in Panorpidae. The mandibles of Panorpodidae are unsuitable for grinding, and most likely, larval Panorpodidae have different feeding habits than larval Bittacidae and Panorpidae. The diversity of the larval feeding habits in Mecoptera and its evolutionary advantage are briefly discussed.
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Larval morphology of the hanging-fly Bittacus trapezoideus Huang & Hua (Insecta: Mecoptera: Bittacidae).
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Lu Jiang, Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The first-instar larva of the hanging-fly Bittacus trapezoideus Huang & Hua, 2005 is described using scanning electron microscopy for the first time. The eruciform larva bears three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. Like other species of the family Bittacidae, the larval head is remarkable for bearing a median ocellus frontally and a pair of compound eyes laterally. Each compound eye consists of seven ommatidia. The larval trunk is symmetrically furnished with furcated protuberances. The larva of B. trapezoideus is diagnostic for bearing short brush-shaped setae on dorsal protuberances. In addition, the labial palp possesses nine basiconic sensilla on the apex; the abdomen bears a pair of sensory protuberances beside the protrusible sucker. The function of the furcated protuberances is briefly discussed.
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larval morphology of the hanging fly bittacus trapezoideus huang hua insecta mecoptera Bittacidae
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Lu Jiang, Qiong-hua Gao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The first-instar larva of the hanging-fly Bittacus trapezoideus Huang & Hua, 2005 is described using scanning electron microscopy for the first time. The eruciform larva bears three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. Like other species of the family Bittacidae, the larval head is remarkable for bearing a median ocellus frontally and a pair of compound eyes laterally. Each compound eye consists of seven ommatidia. The larval trunk is symmetrically furnished with furcated protuberances. The larva of B. trapezoideus is diagnostic for bearing short brush-shaped setae on dorsal protuberances. In addition, the labial palp possesses nine basiconic sensilla on the apex; the abdomen bears a pair of sensory protuberances beside the protrusible sucker. The function of the furcated protuberances is briefly discussed.
Lu Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Larval morphology of the hangingfly Bicaubittacus longiprocessus (Huang and Hua, 2005) (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) and its taxonomic significance
Zoologischer Anzeiger, 2020Co-Authors: Lu Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Abstract Bittacidae is the only cosmopolitan family in Mecoptera and little information is available on the larval morphology in most genera. Here, we investigate the morphology of the first-instar larva of the two-tailed hanging-fly Bicaubittacus longiprocessus (Huang & Hua, 2005) using light and scanning electron microscopy. The larva is eruciform and possesses three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. The head bears a median ocellus on the frons and a pair of compound eyes with seven ommatidia on the lateral sides of the head. The distal segment of the maxillary palp possesses 11 sensilla basiconica on the apex. Dorsal protuberances bear slender dorsal setae, and are likely adapted to the soil-spraying behavior of the larva for holding soil packs. These morphological features can take a significant part in larval taxonomy in Bittacidae.
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Ultrastructure of the rectum of the soil-spraying larva in Bittacus cirratus (Mecoptera: Bittacidae).
Protoplasma, 2019Co-Authors: Lu Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The larvae of Bittacidae have an interesting behavior of spraying soil particles on their body surface through the anus. However, the hindgut specialization associated with this behavior has rarely been studied hitherto. Here, we investigated the fine structure of the larval rectum in the hangingfly Bittacus cirratus Tjeder using light and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the larvae of B. cirratus have a tubular rectum without rectal pads or papillae. The rectum consists of well-developed visceral muscle layers, a non-cellular basal lamina, a single-layer epithelium with a cuticular intima, and a central lumen. The folded rectal epithelium consists of two types of flattened epithelial cells: electron-dense type I cells and electron-lucent type II cells. The apical and basal plasma membranes are infolded and are associated with mitochondria in the epithelial cells. The epithelial cells are held by septate and scalariform junctions. The lateral cell membranes are combined with mitochondria among type I cells and generate mitochondria-scalariform junction complexes. These features suggest that the epithelial cells are active in water and ion reabsorption. We conclude that the absence of rectal pads or papillae and the presence of developed circular muscles are likely morphological adaptations of these larvae to the soil-spraying behavior.
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Ultrastructure of the larval Malpighian tubules in Terrobittacus implicatus (Mecoptera: Bittacidae).
Protoplasma, 2018Co-Authors: Lu Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The larvae of Bittacidae, a cosmopolitan family in Mecoptera, have an interesting habit of spraying the body surface with soil through the anus after hatching, and each molts. The fine structure of Malpighian tubules, however, remains largely unknown in the larvae of Bittacidae to date. Here, we studied the ultrastructure of the larval Malpighian tubules in the hangingfly Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang & Hua) using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The larvae of T. implicatus have six elongate Malpighian tubules at the junction of the midgut and hindgut. The tubule comprises a basal lamina, a single-layered epithelium, and a central lumen. The basal plasma membranes of the epithelial cells are conspicuously infolded and generate a labyrinth. The epithelium consists of two types of cells: large principal cells and scattered stellate cells. Mitochondria and cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum are numerous in the principal cells but are sparsely distributed in the stellate cells, indicating that the principal cells are active in transport. On the other hand, spherites are only abundant in the principal cells and are likely associated with the soil-spraying habit of the larvae.
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Ultrastructure of the larval midgut of Bittacus planus (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) and Neopanorpa longiprocessa (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)
Tissue & cell, 2017Co-Authors: Lu Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Bittacidae and Panorpidae are the two largest families in Mecoptera. The larvae of Bittacidae are different from those of Panorpidae in external morphology and habits, and have an interesting habit of spraying the body surface with soil through the anus. However, it remains unknown to date whether the larval midguts are different in structure between the two families. Here the ultrastructure of the larval midguts of the hangingfly Bittacus planus Cheng and the scorpionfly Neopanorpa longiprocessa Hua & Chou were compared using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The midguts of both species are simple tubes of single layered epithelia with digestive and regenerative cells but without diverticula. The basal plasma membrane of epithelial cells exhibits infolding in B. planus, but is closely apposed to its basal lamina in N. longiprocessa. Lymph spaces are present between adjacent epithelial cells in B. planus, but are absent in N. longiprocessa. The regenerative cells are scattered among the digestive cells in B. planus, but are aggregated in N. longiprocessa. The longitudinal muscle bands are compact in B. planus, but are sparse in N. longiprocessa. The compact longitudinal muscle bands are likely associated with their soil-spraying habit in Bittacidae.
Ying Miao - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The highly rearranged karyotype of the hangingfly Bittacus sinicus (Mecoptera, Bittacidae): the lowest chromosome number in the order.
Comparative cytogenetics, 2020Co-Authors: Ying Miao, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:Cytogenetic features of the hangingfly Bittacus sinicus Issiki, 1931 were investigated for the first time using C-banding and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. The karyotype analyses show that the male B. sinicus possesses the lowest chromosome number (2n = 15) ever observed in Mecoptera, and an almost symmetric karyotype with MCA (Mean Centromeric Asymmetry) of 12.55 and CVCL (Coefficient of Variation of Chromosome Length) of 19.78. The chromosomes are either metacentric or submetacentric with their sizes decreasing gradually. Both the C-banding and DAPI+ patterns detect intermediate heterochromatin on the pachytene bivalents of B. sinicus, definitely different from the heterochromatic segment at one bivalent terminal of other bittacids studied previously. The male meiosis of B. sinicus is chiasmate with two chiasmata in metacentric bivalents and one in the submetacentric bivalent. The sex determination mechanism is X0(♂), which is likely plesiomorphic in Bittacidae. Two alternative scenarios of karyotype origin and evolution in Bittacus Latreille, 1805 are discussed.
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Spermiogenesis of the hangingfly Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua) (Mecoptera: Bittacidae).
Protoplasma, 2019Co-Authors: Ying Miao, Bing-peng Liu, Bao-zhen HuaAbstract:The structure of spermatozoa is able to provide valuable characters in resolving phylogenic relationships in Metazoa, especially in insects. Such data, however, are greatly deficient in Mecoptera. Here, we studied the spermiogenesis and ultrastructure of sperm in the hangingfly Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua) using transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the spermatogenesis of T. implicatus occurs within sperm cysts, following a pattern commonly found in insects. The microtubular doublets of spermatid axoneme exhibit a hooklike projection from the B-subtubule in the early period, but the projection disappears in the mature stage. The mature spermatozoon of T. implicatus is a filiform cell that is pronouncedly elongated and has a bi-layered acrosome, a nucleus with two lateral longitudinal grooves, a neck region with the centriole adjunct, a flagellum with a simple 9 + 2 axoneme, two extra-axonemal accessory structures, two accessory bodies, and two mitochondrial derivatives of unequal size, and a prominent glycocalyx. The basic structure of spermatozoa of T. implicatus is similar to that of other Mecoptera studied. However, this species shows characteristics unique in Bittacidae, such as the reniform appearance of the centriole adjunct, two triangular accessory bodies with granular materials, and two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives with a circular profile in cross-section. The potential utilization of the sperm ultrastructure for understanding the phylogeny of Bittacidae is briefly discussed.