Marc A. Branham

Molecules, morphology and fossils: a comprehensive approach to odonate phylogeny and the evolution of the odonate wing

We undertook a comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of dragonfly phylogeny, examining both extant and fossil lineages in simultaneous analyses. The legitimacy of higher‐level family groups and the phylogenetic relationship between families were tested. Thirteen families were supported as monophyletic (Aeshnidae, Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae, Euphaeidae, Gomphidae, Isostictidae, Lestidae, Libellulidae, Petaluridae, Platystictidae, Polythoridae, Pseudostigmatidae and Synthemistidae) and eight as non‐monophyletic (Amphipterygidae, Coenagrionidae, Corduliidae, Megapodagrionidae, Protoneuridae and Synlestidae), although Perilestidae and Platycnemididae were recovered as monophyletic under Bayesian analyses. Nine families were represented by one species, thus monophyly was not tested (Epiophlebiidae, Austropetaliidae, Chlorogomphidae, Cordulegastridae, Macromiidae, Chorismagrionidae, Diphlebiidae, Lestoideidae and Pseudolestidae). Epiprocta and Zygoptera were recovered as monophyletic. Ditaxinerua is supported as the sister lineage to Odonata, Epiophlebiidae and the lestid‐like damselflies are sister to the Epiprocta and Zygoptera, respectively. Austropetaliidae + Aeshnidae is the sister lineage to the remaining Anisoptera. Tarsophlebias placement as sister to Epiprocta or as sister to Epiprocta + Zygoptera was not resolved. Refinements are made to the current classification. Fossil taxa did not seem to provide signals crucial to recovering a robust phylogeny, but were critical to understanding the evolution of key morphological features associated with flight. Characters associated with wing structure were optimized revealing two wing character complexes: the pterostigma–nodal brace complex and the costal wing base & costal–ScP junction complex. In turn, these two complexes appear to be associated; the pterostigma–nodal brace complex allowing for further modification of the wing characters comprised within the costal wing base & costal–ScP junction complex leading the modern odonate wing.

THE EVOLUTION OF BIOLUMINESCENCE IN CANTHAROIDS (COLEOPTERA: ELATEROIDEA)

We present the first cladistic analysis of genera in the family Lampyridae and other closely related beetles. A monophyletic concept of Lampyridae is established. The phylogenetic positions of the luminous cantharoid families [Omalisidae, Rhagophthalmidae and Phengodidae] in relation to Lampyridae are discussed, as well as the implications of the evolution of bioluminescence and photic signaling in this group of beetles. The Rhagophthalmidae appears to include Dioptoma and Diplocladon (formerly located in Phengodidae) and the Phengodidae apparently includes Stenocladius (formerly of Lampyridae). Harmatelia, Drilaster and Pterotus are transferred to Elateroidea insertae sedis and not included in Lampyridae where they were sometimes placed.

Effect of Organic Mulches on Soil Surface Insects and Other Arthropods

ABSTRACT Four different types of organic mulches were evaluated for their effects on soil surface insects and related arthropods. Field experiments were conducted in fall 2007 and 2008 near Citra, Florida. In both the years, five treatments were compared: cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) mulch, sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) mulch, sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor Moench × S. sudanense ((Piper)] Stapf) mulch, pine bark nuggets, and unmulched control. Data were collected on insects and other arthropods using pitfall traps. Results indicate that organic mulches can affect a wide range of different insects. Diptera, dominated by Asyndetus spp. (Dolichopodidae), were most dense in pine bark plots in both years. Populations of small plant-feeding insects such as Aphididae, Thripidae, and Aleyrodidae were most dense in cowpea and unmulched control plots in one season. It is possible that these insects were affected by weed growth in cowpea and control plots. Ants, which tend or feed on small plant feeders, were fairly abundant in these plots as well, as were predatory beetles. Some groups, such as Collembola (mainly Isotomidae), spiders, and Orthoptera (Acrididae and Gryllidae) were unaffected by mulches.

Are molecular data supplanting morphological data in modern phylogenetic studies

Morphological data have long served as major sources ofinformation for inferring phylogenetic relationships amongtaxa. With the advent of polymerase chain reaction and modernmolecular approaches to phylogenetics, DNA has become amajor source for phylogenetic inference. Combined analyses ofmolecular and morphological (CAMM) data are not unusual.Studies examining the relative utility of morphological andmolecular data derived from plants and animal groups havebeen performed (e.g. Sanderson & Donoghue, 1989), but theresults of this research were limited by the relative noveltyof molecular data to phylogenetics at the time. Differencesof opinions exist among systematic biologists concerning theutility of morphological data (Scotland

A comparative survey of proboscis morphology and associated structures in fruit-piercing, tear-feeding, and blood-feeding moths in Calpinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Functional feeding categories for adult species of Calpinae are described. Structures associated with the proboscis were examined using exemplar species in fruit-piercing, blood-feeding, and tear-feeding species using both light microscopy and SEM methods. At least three genera currently placed in Calpini, and several others in related groups lack specialized piercing structures. The proboscis of the tear-feeding species, Hemiceratoides hieroglyphica, is equipped with specialized cuticular hooks not yet observed in other tear-feeding species. Tearing hooks moveable by blood pressure are restricted to Calpini species, and little additional variation within this taxon exists, suggesting proboscis morphology may not be strongly correlated with feeding behavior (e.g., fruit piercing vs. blood feeding). A glossary of terms and character codings for proboscis structures is provided, and morphologies for all included calpine taxa are described. We discuss the taxonomic significance of proboscis morphology in Calpinae and the evolutionary implications of their associated feeding behaviors. This survey indicates morphology provides powerful prediction, but not proof of lepidopteran adult food habits.

Life on the fly: phylogenetics and evolution of the helicopter damselflies (Odonata, Pseudostigmatidae)

Ingley, S.J., Bybee, S.M., Tennessen, K.J., Whiting, M.F. & Branham, M.A. (2012). Life on the fly: phylogenetics and evolution of the helicopter damselflies (Odonata, Pseudostigmatidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 637–650.

Phylogeny, biogeography and the stepwise evolutionary colonization of intertidal habitat in the Liparocephalini based on morphological and molecular characters (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

A phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Liparocephalini Fenyes is presented based on morphological and molecular characters. The data set comprised 50 adult morphological characters, partial COI (907 bp), COII (366 bp) and 12S rDNA (325–355 bp), and nearly complete sequences of 18S rDNA (1768–1902 bp) for 21 species. Eighteen species of liparocephaline beetles from all eight genera and three outgroups, are included. The sequences were analysed separately and simultaneously with morphological characters by direct optimization in the program POY4 and by partitioned Bayesian analysis for the combined data. The direct optimization (DO) tree for the combined data under equal weighting, which also shows a minimum incongruence length difference value, resulted in a monophyletic Liparocephalini with the following patterns of phylogenetic relationships (outgroup ((Baeostethus, Ianmoorea) (Paramblopusa ((Amblopusa, Halorhadinus) (Liparocephalus, Diaulota))))). A sensitivity analysis using 16 different parameter sets for the combined data shows the monophyly of the liparocephalines and all its genera under all parameter sets. Bayesian analysis resulted in topological differences in comparison with the DO tree under equal weighting only in the position of the genus Paramblopusa and clade (Amblopusa + Halorhadinus), which were reversed. Historical biogeography and the stepwise evolutionary colonization of intertidal habitat in the Liparocephalini are discussed. Based on the biogeographical analyses, we hypothesize that the ancestor of the Liparocephalini occurred along the Panthallassan Ocean, the direct antecedent of the Pacific Ocean, followed by repeated dispersals to the Nearctic from the Palearctic. We also hypothesize that ancestors of the Liparocephalini appear to have arisen in the littoral zone of beaches and then colonized rocky reef areas in the low tidal zone later through high‐ to mid‐tide zones.

For consistency's sake: the precise use of larva, nymph and naiad within Insecta

Larva, nymph or naiad? Which term belongs to which insect groups? Entomology needs clear language – terminology – to ensure scientific integrity of the actual term that refers to each immature (juvenile) stage within Insecta. After observing students, amateurs and professional entomologists alike struggle with the appropriate use of the terms larva, nymph and naiad, the necessity of a revision of this terminology is evident. Established systematic entomologists have differing opinions as to which term is most appropriate for denoting the immature stage for each of the major groups of insects. Confusion over which terminology is best is perhaps most acute for Ephemeroptera (mayflies) and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), and perhaps to a lesser but still significant extent for Plecoptera (stoneflies), because the immature stage of these hemimetabolous insects differs significantly from the adult stage in terms of morphology, lifestyle and habitat (e.g. Corbet, 1999). Indeed, the immature stage of these insects appears more comparable with Endopterygota than hemimetabolous insects. Within the order Odonata, authors use all three terms interchangeably to describe the immature stage (larva, Maloeuf, 1935; Snodgrass, 1935; Asahina, 1954; Mueller et al., 2005; Fleck et al., 2008; naiad, Hussain & Ahmed, 2003; Perotti et al., 2006; Collier et al., 2010; nymph, Stav et al., 2007; Bybee & Tennessen, 2008; Touchon & Warkentin, 2008; Büsse et al., 2013; Büsse & Hörnschemeyer, 2013). The importance of unambiguous definitions for terminology used within science is paramount. Yet, there is a potential for these three terms to be denigrated to the same level as common names and suffer all of the same confusion associated with multiple common names for a given organism, among other problems (Morrison, 2014; Stevens et al., 2014; see also http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/frank/kiss/kiss8.htm). This fate for scientific terms should be avoided in order to keep

Review of the firefly visual system (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and evolution of the opsin genes underlying color vision

Among insects, opsin copy number variation has been shown to be quite diverse. However, within the beetles, very little work on opsins has been conducted. Here, we look at the visual system of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), which offer an elegant system in which to study visual evolution as it relates to their behavior and broader ecology. They are the best-known case of a terrestrial organism that communicates through the use bioluminescence. The molecular basis for this communication is relatively simple: one gene family (opsins) controls the detection of the signal, and one gene family (luciferase) controls the production of the signal. We use a transcriptomic approach to sample for and investigate opsin evolution in fireflies. We also use a phylogenetic estimate of Lampyridae to examine the evolution and ancestral modality of adult courtship communication. We find evidence for only two expressed opsin classes in each of the nine firefly species studied, one in the ultraviolet-sensitive and one in the long-wavelength-sensitive areas of the visible spectrum. Bioluminescent communication in adults is not optimized to be present ancestrally, and was gained two times with six subsequent losses. Despite the need for most adult fireflies to respond to a clearly sexual and colorful visual signal (bioluminescence) to maximize fitness, their visual system is relatively simple, and does not match the trend for opsin duplication found in other insect groups.

The Terrestrial Bioluminescent Animals of Japan

Light production by organisms, or bioluminescence, has fascinated not only scientists but also ordinary people all over the world, and it has been especially so in Japan. Here we review the biological information available to date for all luminous terrestrial animals known from Japan, particularly focusing on their diversity and systematics, their biology and ecology in Japan, and putative function and biochemistry of their luminescence. In total 58 luminous terrestrial animals have been described from Japan, which consist of 50 fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), one glowworm beetle (Coleoptera: Phengodidae), two fungus gnats (Diptera: Keroplatidae), one springtail (Collembola), one millipede (Diplopoda), one centipede (Chilopoda) and two earthworms (Oligochaeta). For all except some firefly species, the DNA “barcode” sequences of a cytochrome oxidase subunit I region are provided. We also introduce how intricately the seasonal appearance and glimmering of luminous insects, in particular those of fireflies, have been interwoven into the culture, art, literature and mentality of Japanese people.