Floyd W. Shockley

Phylogeny and classification of Cucujoidea and the recognition of a new superfamily Coccinelloidea (Coleoptera: Cucujiformia)

A large‐scale phylogenetic study is presented for Cucujoidea (Coleoptera), a diverse superfamily of beetles that historically has been taxonomically difficult. This study is the most comprehensive analysis of cucujoid taxa to date, with DNA sequence data sampled from eight genes (four nuclear, four mitochondrial) for 384 coleopteran taxa, including exemplars of 35 (of 37) families and 289 genera of Cucujoidea. Maximum‐likelihood analyses of these data present many significant relationships, some proposed previously and some novel. Tenebrionoidea and Lymexyloidea are recovered together and Cleroidea forms the sister group to this clade. Chrysomeloidea and Curculionoidea are recovered as sister taxa and this clade (Phytophaga) forms the sister group to the core Cucujoidea (Cucujoidea s.n.). The nitidulid series is recovered as the earliest‐diverging core cucujoid lineage, although the earliest divergences among core Cucujoidea are only weakly supported. The cerylonid series (CS) is recovered as monophyletic and is supported as a major Cucujiform clade, sister group to the remaining superfamilies of Cucujiformia. Currently recognized taxa that were not recovered as monophyletic include Cucujoidea, Endomychidae, Cerylonidae and Bothrideridae. Biphyllidae and Byturidae were recovered in Cleroidea. The remaining Cucujoidea were recovered in two disparate major clades: one comprising the nitidulid series + erotylid series + Boganiidae and Hobartiidae + cucujid series, and the other comprising the cerylonid series. Propalticidae are recovered within Laemophloeidae. The cerylonid series includes two major clades, the bothriderid group and the coccinellid group. Akalyptoischiidae are recovered as a separate clade from Latridiidae. Eupsilobiinae are recovered as the sister taxon to Coccinellidae. In light of these findings, many formal changes to cucujiform beetle classification are proposed. Biphyllidae and Byturidae are transferred to Cleroidea. The cerylonid series is formally recognized as a new superfamily, Coccinelloidea stat.n. Current subfamilies elevated (or re‐elevated) to family status include: Murmidiidae stat.n., Teredidae stat.n., Euxestidae stat.n., Anamorphidae stat.rev., Eupsilobiidae stat.n., and Mycetaeidae stat.n. The following taxa are redefined and characterized: Cleroidea s.n., Cucujoidea s.n., Cerylonidae s.n., Bothrideridae s.n., Endomychidae s.n. A new subfamily, Cyclotominae stat.n., is described. Stenotarsinae syn.n. is formally subsumed within a new concept of Endomychinae s.n.

Evaluation of Native Legume Species for Forage Yield, Quality, and Seed Production

Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michaux) MacMillan ex Robinson & Fern.) appears to have the greatest potential as a forage species among 15 species of native legumes (Fabaceae) evaluated for forage yield, quality, and seed production. It ranked among the top five for all agronomic characteristics measured. Hoary tick clover (Desmodium canescens [L.] DC.), panicled tick clover (Desmodium paniculatum [L.] DC.), and roundhead lespedeza (Lespedeza capitata Michaux), ranked among the top five for grams per plant of forage and seed. All of the native legumes contained greater concentrations of crude protein and lower concentrations of neutral detergent fiber than typically found in the native warm-season grasses commonly sown for pasture, suggesting that these native legumes should improve forage quality in mixed pastures. Only white prairie clover (Dalea candida Michaux ex Willd.), purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.), and Illinois bundleflower had lower concentrations of acid detergent fiber than that typically found in native warm-season grasses.

Glandular-haired alfalfa resistance to potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and hopperburn: development of resistance indices.

Abstract Eight proprietary genotypes of glandular-haired alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., supplied by two different companies, were compared for the degree and types of resistance to the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), and hopperburn. A tube cage no-choice bioassay was developed to test leafhopper mortality, feeding, settling preferences, severity of hopperburn symptoms (in this case, defined as both yellowing and stem growth reduction), and trichome density and type on feeding sites. Leafhopper mortality was both strongly and significantly associated with feeding and leaf trichome density; decreased hopperburn symptom severity was weakly, although significantly, associated with increased mortality. To quantify hopperburn in terms of both yellowing and stem growth reduction, we developed a ranking system that reduces overall hopperburn expression to a single number that considers the varying responses to both types of symptoms. Great variability in leafhopper settling, leafhopper mortality, and stem glandular trichome density was detected among alfalfa genotypes, suggesting that genotypic differences may be based on the concentration and/or chemical constituency of the trichome exudates. We postulate that, among variably resistant genotypes of glandular-haired alfalfa, differences among leafhopper responses and hopperburn severity are linked to forced movement from the stems to the leaves as refuge feeding sites. Principal component analysis was performed to reduce the 10 variables down to five biologically significant factors. Scores for these factors were then used to develop resistance indices for potato leafhopper resistance, hopperburn resistance, and an overall glandular-haired alfalfa resistance index.

Repellency to the potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) by erect glandular trichomes on alfalfa

Abstract We sought to gain insights into the mechanism of resistance of glandular-haired alfalfa to the potato leafhopper, by testing the trichomes of proprietary genotypes for chemical versus morphological differences. Two-choice, noncontact tests were conducted using four glandular-haired and one glabrous genotype of alfalfa, representing a spectrum of resistance, to determine whether adult female leafhoppers could detect and be repelled by putative volatiles released from the trichomes. Settling patterns roughly agreed with the degree of resistance reported by industry scientists who provided the plants. Repellency was strong for the most resistant genotypes, and absent with the most susceptible genotype. The remaining, intermediate-to-low-resistance genotypes exhibited variable repellency. A no-choice, plant-contact preference test showed no significant differences in settling among stems left intact or denuded, neither within nor among all genotypes. In all cases, adult leafhoppers settled on glandular-haired alfalfa if given no alternative. Environmental scanning electron microscopy of erect, glandular trichomes of eight proprietary genotypes (including the four used above) showed no obvious morphological differences among genotypes, or between stems and leaves within each genotype, although morphological comparisons were not quantified due to the fragility of the specimens. Taken together, our results suggest that volatile compounds contribute to variable levels of repellency to potato leafhoppers by glandular-haired alfalfa, but that such compounds cannot strongly prevent feeding at all costs.

Teaching Students How to Study: A Workshop on Information Processing and Self-Testing Helps Students Learn.

We implemented a “how to study” workshop for small groups of students (6–12) for N = 93 consenting students, randomly assigned from a large introductory biology class. The goal of this workshop was to teach students self-regulating techniques with visualization-based exercises as a foundation for learning and critical thinking in two areas: information processing and self-testing. During the workshop, students worked individually or in groups and received immediate feedback on their progress. Here, we describe two individual workshop exercises, report their immediate results, describe students’ reactions (based on the workshop instructors’ experience and student feedback), and report student performance on workshop-related questions on the final exam. Students rated the workshop activities highly and performed significantly better on workshop-related final exam questions than the control groups. This was the case for both lower- and higher-order thinking questions. Student achievement (i.e., grade point average) was significantly correlated with overall final exam performance but not with workshop outcomes. This long-term (10 wk) retention of a self-testing effect across question levels and student achievement is a promising endorsement for future large-scale implementation and further evaluation of this “how to study” workshop as a study support for introductory biology (and other science) students.

Growth and nutrient concentration of two native forage legumes inoculated with Rhizobium and mycorrhiza in Missouri, USA

The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri has tested numerous native legumes for potential use in agroforestry and selected Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michaux) MacMillan ex Robinson and Fern.) and panicled tick clover (Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC.) for further testing. Our objective was to document the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) (Glomus spp.) and Rhizobium on growth and nutrient concentration of these legumes. Seeds were planted in a greenhouse and inoculated with one of two species of AM and/or one of two strains of Rhizobium. Plants were harvested after 80 d and data taken on leaf and stem dry weight, root fresh weight, stem height, nodulation, AM colonization, and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg concentration. Inoculation with Rhizobium did not affect plant growth in Illinois bundleflower, but colonization by Glomus intraradices increased all plant growth variables except stem height. Nutrient concentration was unaffected by the presence of either endophyte. In contrast, inoculation of panicled tick clover with Rhizobium str. 41Z10 increased leaf dry weight (32%) compared to the control and root fresh weight (41%) compared to str. 32Z3, and colonization by G. intraradices increased leaf dry weight (35%) and stem height (26%). Both species of AM increased P and K concentration (41% and 55%, respectively) in panicled tick clover. Our results suggest that the growth of these legumes can be improved by the use of proper AM species and/or Rhizobium strains. However, additional research to identify the best Rhizobium and AM inoculates for these plant species is important in developing strategies for their use in agroforestry.

A Contribution to the Inventory of Coleoptera of Missouri: New Records from Benton County

Benton County is located in southwest-central Missouri, lying at the intersection of four of the eleven recognized natural divisions within the state: the Osage Plains, the Ozark border, the Springfield Plateau, and the Upper Ozarks (Nelson, 1985) (Fig. 1). This unique intersection has resulted in significant overlap between 5 classes and 19 distinct subclasses of natural communities with the primary canopy made up of mixed hardwoods, cedar and pine (Pinaceae), and cypress (Cupressaceae), the understory comprised mainly of mixed woody and herbaceous shrubs, and a groundcover of midto tallgrasses (White and Madany, 1978; Nelson, 1985). The potential for interaction between these natural communities to form many different niches for insect exploitation makes Benton County well suited to support a diverse beetle fauna. However, a scarcity of entomological collecting efforts in this region have resulted in Benton County being poorly represented in state and regional collections and an overall underestimation of state diversity. Our objective was to conduct a preliminary survey of the beetles of Benton County as a contribution to the state’s inventory of Coleoptera.

Ptenidium kishenehnicum (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae), a New Fossil Described from the Kishenehn Oil Shales, with a Checklist of Previously Known Fossil Ptiliids

Abstract. Ptenidium kishenehnicum Shockley and Greenwalt, a new species of feather-winged beetle (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae), is described from 46 million year old Kishenehn oil shales in Montana, USA. This compression fossil is the first beetle species to be described from this formation. A checklist of known fossils and their ages is provided.

Description of Surface Swimming by Hypera eximia LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Behavioral, Morphological, and Phylogenetic Implications

Abstract Three species of Hypera (H. eximia LeConte, H. postica Gyllenhal, and H. nigrirostris F.) exhibit variable leg morphologies and swimming behaviors. We present morphometric and time lapse video data to document the function of each leg in the swimming behaviors of these weevils. Comparisons were made between H. eximia and two congeneric species that do not have the capacity to swim. Morphometric analyses and extirpation experiments aided in understanding the roles of each individual pair of legs and how each leg segment contributes to the entire leg’s functionality. Hypera eximia exhibited a well-developed swimming ability, whereas H. postica and H. nigrirostris were unable to perform any coordinated swimming activity. The capacity for swimming is associated with the different leg morphology of H. eximia. Morphological differences among the three species are significantly different in prothoracic femoral length, tibial length, tarsal width; mesothoracic femoral length and width, tibial length, tarsal width; and metathoracic femoral width. The H. eximia swimming behavior is conducted with all three pairs of legs and the rostrum and is manifested in a breast stroke-like maneuver. The prothoracic legs are used primarily in directional movements and buoyancy compensation, whereas the meso- and metathoracic legs are used asynchronously in forward thrust. Propulsion is accomplished via a 2-phase power stroke with thrust of the mesothoracic leg following the metathoracic leg thrust. Swimming appears to have evolved in three distinct curculionid subfamilies including the Erirrhininae, Ceutorhynchinae, and Hyperinae. We suggest swimming has multiple origins in the Curculionidae and is associated with both behavioral and morphological adaptations.

Glesirhanis bercioi , a new genus and species from Baltic amber (Coleoptera: Endomychidae: Leiestinae) with a checklist and nomenclatural notes regarding fossil Endomychidae

A new genus and species of handsome fungus beetle, Glesirhanis bercioi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Endomychidae: Leiestinae) is described from Baltic amber. The newly described genus is compared with all known extant and extinct genera of the subfamily. A key to the genera of Leiestinae including fossils and a checklist of fossil Endomychidae are provided. The status of two taxa previously placed in Endomychidae, Palaeoendomychus gymnus Zhang and Tetrameropsis mesozoica Kirejtshuk & Azar, is discussed, and a new status for the latter, elevating it to the family-level as Tetrameropseidae status nov., is proposed.