Morphological and Micromorphological Description of the Larvae of Two Endemic Species of Duvalius (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini)

Abstract

The morphological and ultrastructural descriptions of the larvae of two cave species of Trechini—Duvalius (Hungarotrechus) subterraneus (L. Miller, 1868) and Duvalius (Biharotrechus) paroecus (J. Frivaldszkyi, 1865)—are presented in this paper. The interest in studying these larvae lays in their rarity and the limited distribution of the Duvalius species. The larvae were collected from caves in the Romanian Carpathians and were examined under a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy. New important taxonomical and fine morphological characteristics are discussed together with conclusions on the larvae microhabitat as part of the measures to be taken by a proper management of caves.

Morphology and distribution of sensilla on head appendages in the water beetle Hygrobia hermanni (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Hygrobiidae)

“…The apex of antennomere IV bears three sensilla with elongated pegs in Carabidae (Sitar et al, 2021), Noteridae (Urcola et al, 2020), Dytiscidae (Alarie & Michat, 2014) as well as Hygrobiidae (this study, Figure 6b,c). The presence of a deep cavity at the apex of antennomere IV, in which the bases of these three elongated pegs are inserted, was observed in Noteridae (Urcola et al, 2020) and Hygrobiidae (this study, Figure 6c), whereas in Carabidae there is no apical cavity (Sitar et al, 2021). Few additional sensilla are observed in the apical region of antennomere IV (in Noteridae, one sensillum styloconicum and one sensillum interpreted as a “coniform complex”, Urcola et al, 2020; in H. hermanni , two sensilla coeloconica of different subtypes, Figure 6h and 6j,k).…”

“…Figure6b,c). The presence of a deep cavity at the apex of antennomere IV, in which the bases of these three elongated pegs are inserted, was observed in Noteridae(Urcola et al, 2020) and Hygrobiidae (this study, Figure6c), whereas in Carabidae there is no apical cavity(Sitar et al, 2021). Few additional sensilla are observed…”

“…In these larvae, the antennomere surfaces bear few sensilla, mainly a low number of elongated sensilla (which can be either trichodea, chaetica or basiconica) and flat sensilla, which have been described as “pores” in the larval morphology literature, but which appear to be sensilla campaniformia or coeloconica based on SEM pictures (Urcola et al, 2020 and this study). Notably, on the surface of antennomere IV, a single sensillum campaniformium is present in H. hermanni (cam1, Figure 6b and 6i), as in Carabidae (Sitar et al, 2021), Noteridae (Urcola et al, 2020) and Dytiscidae (Alarie & Michat, 2014 referring to “one lateral pore”). The apex of antennomere IV bears three sensilla with elongated pegs in Carabidae (Sitar et al, 2021), Noteridae (Urcola et al, 2020), Dytiscidae (Alarie & Michat, 2014) as well as Hygrobiidae (this study, Figure 6b,c).…”

Applying a Complex Integrated Method for Mapping and Assessment of the Degraded Ecosystem Hotspots from Romania

“…The analysis of the state of degradation of the coastal environment highlighted the areas of expansion of invasive species such as Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Elaeagnus angustifolia and, from the category of marine species, Rapana venosa and Mnemiopsis leidyi [73].…”

“…The influence of wastewater discharges and the influence of tourist activities was visible for the terrestrial environment of the coastal area, noting in particular the coastal area south of the Dobrogea Plateau, as well as the south of the Danube Delta, territories where the density of tourist resorts is high, thus inducing a negative effect on the studied ecosystem (Figure 9). The analysis of the state of degradation of the coastal environment highlighted the areas of expansion of invasive species such as Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Elaeagnus angustifolia and, from the category of marine species, Rapana venosa and Mnemiopsis leidyi [73].…”