Elżbieta Warchałowska-Śliwa

Karyotype, C-bands, and NORs locations in spermatogenesis of Isophya brevipennis Brunner (Orthoptera: Phaneropteridae)

SUMMARYThe karyotype (number, shape, and relative length of chromosomes as well as the chiasma frequency), C-bands, and Ag-NORs pattern in the spermatogenesis of Isophya brevipennis are reported. Paracentric, interstitial, and distal C-banding in this species were observed. NORs located proximally in L3 were detectable throughout the entire meiotic metaphase I to metaphase II, and again demonstrable in telophase II and early spermatid nuclei.

Biogeography, ecology, acoustics and chromosomes of East African Eurycorypha Stål species (Orthoptera, Phaneropterinae) with the description of new species

Although Eurycorypha is the most species-rich Phaneropterinae genus in Africa, little is known about the distribution and the ecology of the species. In this study data on distribution, ecology, song and on chromosomes of some East African species are provided. The nymphs of some species are shown, famous for their ant-like appearance and behaviour. The male of E. punctipennis Chopard and three species of Eurycorypha are newly described. These are E. resonans n. sp. and E. combretoides n. sp. occurring in different habitats on Mount Kilimanjaro, and E. conclusa n. sp from forest habitats along the Tanzanian coast. Bioacoustically, the four recorded species are unusually divers, presenting non-resonant and resonant songs. As four Eurycorypha species occur syntopically on geological young Mount Kilimanjaro, the biogeographical pattern and possible speciation mechanisms in the genus Eurycorypha are discussed in context of the climatical history of eastern Africa.

DNA content of the B chromosomes in grasshopper Podisma kanoi Storozh. (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

A DNA library derived from the B chromosome of Podisma kanoi was obtained by chromosome microdissection. A total of 153 DNA clones were isolated from the microdissected DNA library. Twenty of them were sequenced. A comparison of B chromosome DNA sequences with sequences of other species from the DDBJ/GenBank/EMBL database (http://www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp/) was performed. Different patterns of signals were observed after FISH with labeled cloned DNA fragments. FISH signals with cloned DNA fragments painted either whole Bs or their different regions. Some clones also gave signals in pericentromeric regions of A chromosomes. Other cloned DNA fragments gave only background-like signals on A and B chromosomes. Comparative FISH analysis of B chromosomes in Podisma kanoi and P. sapporensis with DNA probes derived from the Bs of these species revealed homologous DNA that was confined within pericentromeric and telometric regions of the B chromosome in P. kanoi. In contrast to the B chromosomes in P. sapporensis containing large regions enriched with rDNA, only a small cluster of rDNA was detected in one of the examined B chromosomes in P. kanoi. The data strongly suggest an independent origin of B chromosomes in two closely related Podisma species.

A comparative study of genome organization and inferences for the systematics of two large bushcricket genera of the tribe Barbitistini (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)

BackgroundPoecilimon and Isophya are the largest genera of the tribe Barbitistini and among the most systematically complicated and evolutionarily intriguing groups of Palearctic tettigoniids. We examined the genomic organization of 79 taxa with a stable chromosome number using classical (C–banding, silver and fluorochrome staining) and molecular (fluorescence in situ hybridization with 18S rDNA and (TTAGG)n telomeric probes) cytogenetic techniques. These tools were employed to establish genetic organization and differences or similarities between genera or species within the same genus and determine if cytogenetic markers can be used for identifying some taxonomic groups of species.ResultsDifferences between the karyotypes of the studied genera include some general changes in the morphology of the X chromosome in Isophya (in contrast to Poecilimon). The number of major rDNA clusters per haploid genome divided Poecilimon into two main almost equal groups (with either one or two clusters), while two rDNA clusters predominated in Isophya. In both genera, rDNA loci were preferentially located in the paracentromeric region of the autosomes and rarely in the sex chromosomes. Our results demonstrate a coincidence between the location of rDNA loci and active NORs and GC-rich heterochromatin regions. The C/DAPI/CMA3 bands observed in most Poecilimon chromosomes suggest the presence of more families of repetitive DNA sequences as compared to the heterochromatin patterns in Isophya.ConclusionsThe results show both differences and similarities in genome organization among species of the same genus and between genera. Previous views on the systematics and phylogenetic grouping of certain lineages are discussed in light of the present cytogenetic results. In some cases, variation of chromosome markers was observed to correspond with variation in other evolutionary traits, which is related to the processes of ongoing speciation and hybridization in zones of secondary contact. It was concluded that the physical mapping of rDNA sequences and heterochromatin may be used as an additional marker for understanding interspecific relationships in these groups and their routes of speciation.

Review of the Plangia graminea (Serville) complex and the description of new Plangia species from East Africa (Orthoptera: Phaneropteridae, Phaneropterinae) with data on habitat, bioacoustics, and chromosomes

The Plangia graminea complex is partly reviewed and two new species of Plangia are described, Plangia multimaculata n. sp. from savanna habitats and Plangia satiscaerulea n. sp. from the submontane zones in northern Tanzania. Plangia compressa (Walker 1869) is synonymized with P. graminea (Serville, 1838). Data on habitat, bioacoustics, and chromosomes are provided. Both analyzed Plangia species showed the same chromosomal number. Compared to other investigated African Phaneropterinae, Plangia had a reduced chromosome number and thus shows a derived condition in its genome. The sex chromosomes differed morphologically in both investigated species of Plangia suggesting different mechanisms leading to these differences. Niche specialization and the male calling song are discussed as drivers for speciation in fully alate and thus mobile taxa.

Karyotype evolution and chromosome C-banding patterns in some Podismini grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

SUMMARYThe karyotype and C-band patterns in the spermatogenesis of some species of the Podismini grasshopper are reported. The paracentromeric, interstitial, and telomeric C-bands in 14 species were observed. On the basis of comparative analysis of C-band patterns in 23- and 21-chromosome groups the hypothesis of tandem translocation of small or small and medium chromosomes in the karyotypic evolution of Podismini is suggested.

The Anatolio‐Balkan phylogeographic fault: a snapshot from the genus Isophya (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)

Due to active tectonic evolution of the Aegean Area during Miocene and Pleistocene, the Balkans and Anatolia have repeatedly connected and disconnected causing isolation and secondary contact of populations along the present Dardanelles – Sea of Marmara – Bosphorus waterway. This has led to an outstandingly rich fauna and a reticulate biogeography in the area. A typical example is Orthoptera having here possibly highest diversity within the Western Palaearctic. With the present study, we concentrate on the bush‐cricket genus Isophya, which is characteristic with a large share of endemics in the Balkans and Anatolia. We aim to understand when and how the isolation of marine or other barriers in the region of the Turkish Straits System influenced the evolution of the morpho‐acoustic groups of species found on both sides of the strait. For this purpose, sequences of two mitochondrial (COI and ND2) and two nuclear (ITS1 and ITS2) markers were obtained and used for phylogenetic reconstructions, time estimations for lineage divergence and automatic species delineation (statistical parsimony, GMYC, ABGD) tests. The phylogenetic analyses did not support all the existing morphogroups and was in favour of a geographical subdivision for the young lineages. Automatic species delineation tests confirmed most of the present morpho‐acoustic species and suggested further cryptic species, at the same time unifying some phenetic species. Time estimation analyses suggested time to most recent common ancestor of the genus as 8.28 Ma corresponding to the Late Tortonian. As a result of the study, we reached to the following conclusions: (i) most of the studied phenetic species are monophyletic, but some earlier suggested morpho‐species groups are not, (ii) three main episodes dominate the evolutionary history of Isophya (7.32–5.84 Myr in the Messinian, 2.2–2.5 Myr in the beginning of the Pleistocene and at around 0.75 Ma corresponding to the end of the Mid‐Pleistocene transition), all of which well correlate with episodes of existing terrestrial connections between Anatolia and the Balkans, and (iii) there are several faunal exchanges in both directions between Anatolia and the Balkans.

Review of the East African species of the phaneropterine genus Parapyrrhicia Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1891 (Insecta: Orthoptera): secret communication of a forest-bound taxon

The East African species of Parapyrrhicia Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1891, are reviewed. Beside the description of five new species from the West Usambara, Udzungwa, Uluguru Mountains, and coastal Tanzania and the male of P. zanzibarica Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1891, data on habitat, morphology, acoustics, and the chromosomes are provided. A key to the species of Parapyrrhicia is provided. Eulioptera zanzibarica Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1891, is synonymized with Parapyrrhicia zanzibarica Brunner. All species have stridulatory files with intertooth intervals decreasing from anal to basal and low duty cycle calling songs (four species recorded) consisting of very short, narrow-banded, resonant syllables. Parapyrrhicia species showed a plesiomorphic karyotype with a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 31 and a X0 sex chromosome system in males. All species are restricted to closed wet forest areas and thus ideal organisms to be used for monitoring habitat quality of an area since they act as indicators for indigenous wet forest communities. Morphological sister pairs suggest recent speciation processes in coastal and lowland wet forests of East Africa.

Relationship between Chromosomal Races/Subraces in the Brachypterous Grasshopper Podisma sapporensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Inferred from Mitochondrial ND2 and COI Gene Sequences

Abstract Podisma sapporensis Shiraki, 1910 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is distributed on the islands of northern Japan and Far East Russia (Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and Kunashiri), and it exhibits a unique diversity of chromosomal races (X0 and neo-XY) on the island of Hokkaido. To infer the history of geographical isolation and chromosome rearrangements (main races and subraces), we used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation in two regions, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), among 55 individuals representing eight X0/XX and three neo-XY/XX populations. The molecular phylogenetic tree revealed a high level of overall mitochondrial diversity, but the clustering of the examined population is in most cases closely related to their geographic distribution and associated with chromosomal races and subraces. Together with cytogenetic observations, we discuss the origin of the polymorphism within the X0 and XY races as well as differences between both northern and eastern races.

Topography and climatic fluctuations boosting speciation: biogeography and a molecular phylogeny of the East African genera Afroanthracites Hemp & Ingrisch and Afroagraecia Ingrisch & Hemp (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae, Agraeciini)

Based on faunistic lists documenting the distribution of taxa and molecular data, a phylogenetic tree of African Agraeciini is presented and detailed hypotheses of speciation patterns discussed. It is discussed that the observed radiation in the geologically old Eastern Arc chain is young since Afroanthracites montium endemic to Mts. Kilimanjaro and Meru is of the same age as species of the East and West Usambara Mountains. A molecular phylogeny on nine Afroanthracites and four Afroagraecia species is presented in this study prepared on the molecular markers 16S rRNA and histone 3. The molecular results confirmed geographical patterns and morphological relationships in Afroanthracites as well as in Afroagraecia.