Life Sciences Commons^™

Phylogeny Of The Subfamilies Of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera), Andrew M.R. Bennett, Sophie Cardinal, Ian D. Gauld, David B. Wahl

Biology Faculty Publications

A combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed to evaluate the subfamily relationships of the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera). Data were obtained by coding 135 morphological and 6 biological characters for 131 exemplar species of ichneumonids and 3 species of Braconidae (the latter as outgroups). The species of ichneumonids represent all of the 42 currently recognized subfamilies. In addition, molecular sequence data (cytochrome oxidase I “DNA barcoding” region, the D2 region of 28S rDNA and part of the F2 copy of elongation factor 1-alpha) were obtained from specimens of the same species that were coded for morphology (1309 …

Congruent Phylogenetic Relationships Of Melaphidina Aphids (Aphididae: Eriosomatinae: Fordini) According To Nuclear And Mitochondrial Dna Data With Taxonomic Implications On Generic Limits, Zhumei Ren, Carol D. Von Dohlen, A. J. Harris, Rebecca B. Dikow, Xu Su, Jun Wen

Biology Faculty Publications

Melaphidina aphids (Rhus-gall aphids; Eriosomatinae: Fordini) comprise five genera from eastern Asia and one monotypic genus from eastern North America. Melaphidina are unique in feeding on plant species of Rhus subgenus Rhus (Anacardiaceae), on which they form galls during the summer. The phylogenetic relationships among some species of Melaphidina aphids remain controversial. In this study, we sought to resolve the backbone phylogeny of Melaphidina aphids by sampling 15 accessions representing all six genera, all species, and all subspecies except Meitanaphis microgallis using 20 gene regions: five nuclear genes as well as 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes …

Phylogeny And Population Genetic Analyses Reveals Cryptic Speciation In The Bombus Fervidus Species Complex (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Jonathan B. Koch, Juanita Rodriguez, James P. Pitts, James P. Strange

Ecology Center Publications

Bumble bees (Bombus Latrielle) are significant pollinators of flowering plants due to their large body size, abundant setae, and generalist foraging strategies. However, shared setal coloration patterns among closely and distantly related bumble bee species makes identification notoriously difficult. The advent of molecular genetic techniques has increased our understanding of bumble bee evolution and taxonomy, and enables effective conservation policy and management. Individuals belonging to the North American Bombus fervidus species-complex (SC) are homogenous in body structure but exhibit significant body color phenotype variation across their geographic distribution. Given the uncertainty of the genealogical boundaries within the SC, some …

South American Leaf-Cutter Bees (Genus Megachile) Of The Subgenera Rhyssomegachile And Zonomegachile, With Two New Subgenera (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), Víctor H. González, Terry Griswold, Michael S. Engel

All PIRU Publications

Leaf-cutter bees (genus Megachile Latreille) are among the most common and diverse group of bees. However, the identity and taxonomic placement of many species are problematic and species identification is often difficult. Some species are known only from a single specimen or from one of the sexes, and identification keys are not available for many groups. We address these taxonomic issues for the subgenera Rhyssomegachile Mitchell and Zonomegachile Mitchell, two poorly known South American lineages of leaf-cutter bees. We provide comparative diagnoses, redescriptions, illustrated identification keys, new geographical records, and designate needed neotypes for Megachile cara Mitchell, M. gigas Schrottky, …

Deciphering The Biology Of Cryptophyllachora Eurasiatica Gen. Et Sp. Nov., An Often Cryptic Pathogen Of An Allergenic Weed, Ambrosia Artemisiifolia, Levente Kiss, Gábor M. Kovács, Károly Bóka, Gyula Bohár, Krisztina Varga Bohárné, Márk Z. Németh, Susumu Takamatsu, Hyeon-Dong Shin, Vera Hayova, Claudia Nischwitz, Marion K. Seier, Harry C. Evans, Paul F. Cannon, Gavin James Ash, Roger G. Shivas, Heinz Müller-Schärer

Biology Faculty Publications

A little known, unculturable ascomycete, referred to as Phyllachora ambrosiae, can destroy the inflorescences of Ambrosia artemisiifolia, an invasive agricultural weed and producer of highly allergenic pollen. The fungus often remains undetectable in ragweed populations. This work was conducted to understand its origin and pathogenesis, a prerequisite to consider its potential as a biocontrol agent. The methods used included light and transmission electron microscopy, nrDNA sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, artificial inoculations, and the examination of old herbarium and recent field specimens from Hungary, Korea, Ukraine and USA. The Eurasian and the North American specimens of this fungus were to …

Historical Biogeography And Natural History Of Nocturnal Wasps In The Southwestern Deserts With Special Emphasis On The Genus Chyphotes (Hymenoptera: Chyphotidae), Emily A. Sadler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Deserts are interesting places due to the large number of plants and animals that live there. Nocturnal wasps are extremely abundant in deserts, but they are difficult to identify and their life cycles are not well known especially the families of Chyphotidae, Tiphiidae (Brachycistidinae), and Mutillidae (velvet ants). In this dissertation, I determine how to correctly identify a particularly difficult group of species that all have black heads from the family Chyphotidae. This is important because these species make up a large proportion of specimens collected. Also, I expanded our knowledge on the distribution of the species of these three …

The Biogeography And Nesting Biology Of Anthophora, With A Revision And Phylogeny Of The Anthophora (Micranthophora), Michael C. Orr

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bees are necessary pollinators for a vast array of different plants, including many which we rely on for food. In order to grow sufficient crops to feed the world’s growing population, we need to make sure our crops are visited by the most effective possible pollinators. However, this is complicated by the fact that there are over 4,000 bee species in North America, many of which vary in their pollination effectiveness and are difficult to identify. My dissertation’s first two data chapters focus on classifying the species of the xeric solitary bee group Anthophora subgenus Micranthophora, including seven newly …

Teaching Species, Mark W. Ellis, Paul G. Wolf

Biology Faculty Publications

A clear understanding of the term "species" is fundamental to the subject of evolution. However, introductory textbooks often fail to address this topic until one of the later chapters, after having used the term species in all preceding chapters. Furthermore, definitions of terms critical to a clear understanding of this subject are often vague or absent in chapters on species concepts. We feel the popular notion of a "species problem" has been unnecessarily inflated by this less-than-effective educational approach. Clearly addressing this essential subject at the beginning of a course on evolution will prepare students to learn the details and …

Seed Testa Morphology Of 18 Species Of Rafnia Thunb. (Fam. Fabaceae, Sub-Family Papilionoideae), G. R. Richardson, R. Cross

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to conduct a micromorphological study of testae of the seeds of 18 species of Rafnia Thunb. (Fam. Fabaceae, Sub-family Papilionoideae). The testa patterns revealed diagnostic taxonomic features which proved useful in the construction of a key for the identification of the various Rafnia species. Comparisons between air-dried freshly collected, and long-term stored herbarium specimens revealed that testa patterns remained consistent and valid for taxonomic purposes.

Scanning Electron Microscope Study Of Wohlfahrtia Magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) I. Structures With Parasitic And Possible Taxonomic Meaning, I. Ruíz-Martínez, M. D. Soler-Cruz, R. Benítez-Rodríguez, J. M. Pérez-Jiménez, C. Adalid-Fuentes, M. Díaz-López

Scanning Microscopy

The larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (the most important dipteran causing sheep myiasis in the Palearctic region) has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of mouth-hooks, oral ridges, labial lobes, body spines and anterior and posterior peritremes is described for the first time. Their possible adaptations to a parasitic lifeway are also discussed. Thus, the use of new structures in the Sarcophagidae taxonomy is proposed from the point of view of their ultrastructure and adaptative morphology.

Enamel Of Yalkaparidon Coheni: Representative Of A Distinctive Order Of Tertiary Zalambdodont Marsupials, K. S. Lester, M. Archer, C. F. Gilkeson, T. Rich

Scanning Microscopy

The enamel of an incisor and a premolar of Yalkaparidon coheni was examined by scanning electron microscopy in fractured and in sectioned, polished surfaces. The enamel of both teeth demonstrated: complete, ovoid and horse-shoe shaped prisms in a Pattern 2 arrangement; a simple parallel prism course; and, enamel tubules in abundance in the premolar but restricted to the innermost enamel in the incisor. Overall, the enamel ultrastructure supports the marsupial affiliation proposed for Yalkaparidon coheni but does not unambiguously ally it with any other order of marsupials.

The observation of a significant ultrastructural difference between the anterior and posterior teeth …

A Cytological, Morphological, And Anatomical Study Of Elymus Simplex, Stephan L. Hatch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the taxonomy, report the chromosome number, report meiotic chromosome behavior, and give the anatomy of Elymus simplex Scribner and Williams. The isotype of Elymus simplex and the type description were used to compare this and other species that have been confused.

Cytological and anatomical methods are reported as an aid in clarification of the taxonomic problem that has been associated with this species.