Article
Entomology
Camila Folly, Italo Salvatore de Castro Pecci-Maddalena, Cristiano Lopes-Andrade, E. Jose Lino-Neto
Summary: The study provides a detailed anatomical and histological investigation of the reproductive system and sperm structure of Ceracis cornifer Mellie (Ciidae). It reveals unique characteristics such as the growth of a single oocyte at a time in females and antiparallel organization of sperm within cysts in males, as well as sperm dimorphism in C. cornifer, which is described for the first time in a Tenebrionoidea taxon.
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Ayako Gotoh, Ken Sasaki
Summary: The high degree of eusocial insects, such as bees, is characterized by the striking queen-worker dimorphism associated with tasks. This study histologically examined the developmental processes of internal reproductive organs in honeybee queens and workers, showing significant differences in the development of spermatheca, valve-fold, and other organs. Notably, the abdominal ganglia also exhibited morphological caste differences between queens and workers from the prepupal stages.
Article
Entomology
Qian Sun, Kenneth F. Haynes, Xuguo Zhou
Summary: The study analyzed the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles of workers and ergatoids of different age, sex, and mating status in the eastern subterranean termite. Results showed distinct differences in CHC profiles between workers and ergatoids, as well as differences between newly differentiated and old ergatoids. However, no sex-specific differences were found based on identified compounds.
ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. L. Klunk, M. A. Argenta, F. B. Rosumek, S. Schmelzle, T. van de Kamp, J. U. Hammel, M. R. Pie, M. Heethoff
Summary: Insects have evolved various modifications to their mouthparts for different feeding modes. This study used Finite Element Analysis to simulate the mechanical responses of mandibles from different ant species to bite loading. The results showed interspecific differences in mandible mechanical responses, and ant feeding habit was not a reliable predictor of mandible biting performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Gisele Gomes Nogueira Alves, Luiz Henrique Martins Fonseca, Marcelo Fernando Devecchi, Juliana Hanna Leite El Ottra, Diego Demarco, Jose Rubens Pirani
Summary: Floral features are important for morphological studies, and this study on Simaroubaceae reveals potential ancestral characteristics of the family by analyzing reproductive traits and comparing with outgroups. The findings are mostly consistent with previous evolutionary studies on genera of Simaroubaceae and other families within Sapindales.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Rebeca Stella Khouri, Bruno Ferreto Fiorillo, Henrique Bartolomeu Braz, Jorge Henry Maciel, Selma Maria Almeida-Santos, Marcio Martins
Summary: This study described the reproductive biology of Trilepida koppesi in the savannas of south-central Brazil, including its reproductive anatomy, cycle, potential clutch size, activity season, and sexual dimorphism. The results showed that males have unique testes structure, while females only have the right oviduct and mate and ovulate in spring.
HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Alexander G. Radchenko
Summary: A new species of the fossil ant genus Drymomyrmex, D. rasnitsyni sp. nov., is described from the late Eocene Rovno amber in Ukraine. This find represents the first worker of this genus and the first record of Drymomyrmex in the Rovno amber. Based on morphological features, Drymomyrmex is proposed to be classified under the tribe Plagiolepidini Forel, 1886.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Richard J. Walters, David Berger, Wolf U. Blanckenhorn, Luc F. Bussiere, Patrick T. Rohner, Ralf Jochmann, Karin Thueler, Martin A. Schaefer
Summary: Understanding how environmental variation influences cryptic traits is crucial for clarifying the roles of selection and development in evolution and adaptation. The polymorphism of spermathecae number in female yellow dung flies is both heritable and highly plastic, varying with rearing conditions. Overexpression of spermathecae under developmental stress is not universal, and there are both costs and benefits associated with 4S phenotypes and genotypes. These findings suggest that strong environmental variation can expose hidden traits to natural selection.
EVOLUTION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Spencer Barriball, Abigail Han, Brandon Schlautman
Summary: This study modeled the effects of GDD, DOY, and cropping systems on intermediate wheatgrass, finding that air temperature and photoperiod had a greater impact on reproductive growth and development of plants.
AGROSYSTEMS GEOSCIENCES & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biology
Christopher C. M. Baker, Dino J. Martins, Julianne N. Pelaez, Johan P. J. Billen, Anne Pringle, Megan E. Frederickson, Naomi E. Pierce
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2017)
Article
Entomology
Hongyuan Wei, Johan Billen, Ying Yang, Ping Liu, Shuxia Shao, Xiaoming Chen, Zixiang Yang
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Chu Wang, Michael Steenhuyse-Vandevelde, Chung-Chi Lin, Johan Billen
Summary: This study focuses on a novel gland called the "basimandibular gland" in the genus Strumigenys, confirming its existence in 22 investigated species, with the most pronounced development observed in the queens of S. mutica. Additionally, other gland cells were found in the mandibles of these queens, suggesting a potential relationship between the development of these glands and their parasitic lifestyle.
Article
Entomology
Johan Billen, Adam Khalife, Fuminori Ito, Nguyen Duc Anh, Flavia A. Esteves
Summary: This paragraph discusses the presence of a basitarsal sulcus gland in several Amblyoponinae ants, its association with novel epithelial gland, and its role in nestmate recognition through secretion spreading onto the brood and nest. The presence of similar glands in phylogenetically and ecologically diverse ant species is also noted.
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Eniko Csata, Johan Billen, Lucian Barbu-Tudoran, Balint Marko
Summary: Parasites can modify their host's appearance, behavior, and physiology to serve their own interests. Some parasites require the death of the host for their own development, such as in the 'summit' disease where the host dies attached to an elevated part of vegetation. The behavior of different fungi in consuming the host varies, with Pandora formicae showing less pronounced manipulative traits compared to Ophiocordyceps.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Adrian Richter, Eric Schoeters, Johan Billen
Summary: The mandibular gland of ants releases chemical compounds for various functions. The morphology of the gland orifice varies among different subfamilies, but the internal organization is consistent across species.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Lijia Zhang, Siyue Wang, Johan Billen, Cong Wei
Summary: A novel gland, called the epithelial femoral gland, was discovered at the apex of the fore, mid, and hind femurs in cicadas. This gland may produce nourishing substances to facilitate the joint function between the femur and tibia, showing potential functional differentiation among the legs within a species.
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Chu Wang, Chung-Chi Lin, Johan Billen
Summary: A novel ventral scape gland has been identified in all 19 species of the genus Strumigenys, characterized by its bowl shape, microvillar arrangement, and presence of nerves. Additionally, scattered class-3 glandular cells are also found. The functions of both glands in the scape are still unclear.
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Heather R. Mattila, Gard W. Otis, Johan Billen, Lien T. P. Nguyen, Satoshi Shimano
Summary: Hornets are highly social wasps that construct large nests and use glands to communicate and defend against predators. Differences among hornet species in gland structures are mainly attributed to predatory behavior rather than nest defense. However, more information is needed on how hornet workers use their glands.
Article
Entomology
J. Billen, N. Vanelderen, F. Ito
Summary: Our study on the exocrine system of Leptanilla clypeata workers revealed new gland structures and different gland distributions. The functions of most glands are still unknown, requiring further research.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ziv E. Lieberman, Johan Billen, Thomas van de Kamp, Brendon E. Boudinot
Summary: Recent study uses a multimodal approach to describe the abdominal anatomy of the ant Amblyopone australis Erichson, focusing on the skeletomusculature and other organs. Comparison with other insects provides a first approximation of the complete abdominal skeletomuscular groundplan, with proposed synapomorphies and transformation series. The study homologizes the ovipositor muscles across Hymenoptera and discusses the utility of applied techniques.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
C. Wang, F. -Y. Chung, C. -C. Lin, J. Billen
Summary: We studied 12 species of Strumigenys and confirmed the presence of class-1 apicofemoral and apicotibial glands as exclusive exocrine structures in workers, queens, and males of this ant genus. The absence of these glands in workers of S. mutica, despite their presence in queens, may be related to the social parasitic lifestyle of this species. The ultrastructure of the glands suggests the production of a possible pheromonal secretion. Additionally, we discovered class-3 dorsodistal femoral and dorsodistal tibial glands as new structures in the exocrine repertoire of ants, posing a challenge to understand the social parasitism of S. mutica.
Article
Entomology
Chu Wang, Ping-Jui Sung, Chung-Chi Lin, Fuminori Ito, Johan Billen
Summary: Similar to wasps and bees, ants can produce males through parthenogenesis. However, some ant species, including six species in the genus Strumigenys, can also produce females through parthenogenesis. These species retain a functional reproductive system and spermatheca, which allows them to mate with males when encountered, increasing the genetic variability of their offspring. This mode of reproduction gives a significant advantage to tramp species when establishing colonies in new environments.
Article
Entomology
Johan Billen, Christian Peeters
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Johan Billen, Chung-Chi Lin, Flavia A. Esteves
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2020)