Taxonomic importance of the prefemoral process of the first pair of legs in males of the genus Pseudonannolene (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida)

The first pair of legs in males of some groups of diplopods is modified, having a large coxa and oral projecting prefemoral process; in the family Spirostreptidae (Spirostreptida) this structure has relevance on the genus level. This paper discusses the shape, presence, and absence of the prefemoral process in the genus Pseudonannolene (Pseudonannolenidae, Spirostreptida) and suggests that this structure is an important taxonomic character in this genus and can be used for distinguishing some species

Morphological characterization of the proventriculus of Gryllus assimilis Fabricius (Orthoptera, Gryllidae)

The proventriculus morphology of the cricket Gryllus assimilis Fabricius, 1775 is described using scanning electron microscopy and the correlation of this structure with the feeding habits briefly considered

Diplopods and Agrochemicals-a Review

Diplopods play an important role in the nutrients cycling and soil aeration, keeping the soil healthy and productive, integrating a beneficial macrofauna that may be liable to the action of chemicals applied in order to control and eliminate other organisms considered harmful to crops. However, diplopods can also become the target of these pesticides when they occur in large populations that invade urban areas and damage home gardens and commercial plantations. Given the fine line that makes diplopods be considered ecologically beneficial or economically troublesome, this study aims to review the action of different pesticides on these organisms, both when they are mere scapegoats and when they are the villains. Given these data, it lastly discussed the feasibility of using chemical control methods.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Comparative cytogenetics in different populations of the cavernicolous diplopod Pseudonannolene strinatii (Diplopoda, Pseudonannolenidae)

Different populations of Pseudonannolene strinatii Mauriès, 1974 collected from three caves in Iporanga, state of São Paulo, were cytogenetically compared using techniques of conventional coloration, C-banding and silver nitrate impregnation. Specimens were morphologically similar and small cytogenetic differences were observed between the populations with relation to the distribution of constitutive heterochromatin

Chromosomal characterization of Pseudonannolene strinatii (Spirostreptida, Pseudonannolenidae)

The chromosomes of the cave millipede Pseudonannolene strinatii Mauriès, 1974 were investigated. The diploid chromosome number was found to be 2n=16, XX/XY; the C-banding technique revealed a large amount of heterochromatin while the silver staining technique (Ag-NOR) evidenced the presence of heteromorphism of the NORs in some cells

Metanotal gland of the genus Eidmanacris (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae): taxonomic importance

The present study compares the metanotal gland through scanning electron microscopy in five species of Eidmanacris: E. corumbatai Garcia, 1998, E. alboannulata (Piza, 1960), E. dissimilis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, E. larvaeformis (Chopard, 1938) and Eidmanacris sp. The general external configuration of the gland was determined by the presence of two median projections with apical opening and a cluster of bristles just above these projections. Although there is a general pattern for this gland, each species has its own pattern, which can be defined mainly by the arrangement of the bristles and the position of the median projections. Our results suggest the taxonomical importance of these structures, which should be better analyzed when describing species of the genus Eidmanacris. In addition, while observing the reproductive behavior of these species, we concluded that the release of this gland secretion is important for the success of mating

A new species of Urostreptus (Diplopoda, Spirostreptidae): description and chromossome number

O trabalho traz a descrição e o número cromossômico de Urostreptus atrobrunneus sp. nov. O gênero até o momento não havia sido registrado para o Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A análise meiótica demonstrou que a espécie apresenta 2n=24, XY. O bandamento C revelou grandes blocos de heterocromatina constitutiva e dois pares de cromossomos heteromórficos, um deles correspondendo ao par sexual.This work presents the description and chromosome number of Urostreptus atrobrunneus sp. nov. The genus until now had not been registered yet in the São Paulo State, Brazil. The meiotic analysis showed that the species presents 2n=24, XY. The C-banding revealed large blocks of constitutive heterochromatin and two heteromorphic chromosomal pairs, one of them corresponding to the sexual pair.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Ultrastructure of the mature testicular vesicle of Pseudonannolene tocaiensis Fontanetti, 1996 (Diplopoda, Pseudonannolenidae)

The mature testicular vesicles of the species Pseudonannolene tocaiensis have three portions: a peripheral portion; a central portion that is typically secretory and between these two an intermediary portion, a lumen filled with spermatozoa. Both secretory and peripheral portions present the same type of cells. The ultrastructural analysis of the peripheral portion suggests it is involved in hormone synthesis. The secretory portion probably contributes to the production of spermatic fluid, compensating for the absence of male accessory glands in this species. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Glândula metanotal do gênero Eidmanacris (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae): importância taxonômica

O presente trabalho compara a glândula metanotal de cinco espécies do gênero Eidmanacris por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura: E. corumbatai Garcia, 1998, E. alboannulata (Piza, 1960), E. dissimilis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, E. larvaeformis (Chopard, 1938) e Eidmanacris sp. A configuração externa da glândula foi determinada pela presença de duas projeções medianas que apresentam abertura em seu ápice e um grupo de cerdas abaixo destas projeções. Apesar de haver um padrão geral semelhante, a configuração da glândula é espécie-específica, que pode ser definida principalmente pela organização de cerdas e pela posição das projeções medianas. Nossos resultados sugerem a importância taxonômica desta estrutura, que deveria ser melhor analisada na descrição de espécies do gênero Eidmanacris. Pela observação do comportamento reprodutivo destas espécies, nós concluímos que a liberação da secreção desta glândula é importante para o sucesso reprodutivo.The present study compares the metanotal gland through scanning electron microscopy in five species of Eidmanacris: E. corumbatai Garcia, 1998, E. alboannulata (Piza, 1960), E. dissimilis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, E. larvaeformis (Chopard, 1938) and Eidmanacris sp. The general external configuration of the gland was determined by the presence of two median projections with apical opening and a cluster of bristles just above these projections. Although there is a general pattern for this gland, each species has its own pattern, which can be defined mainly by the arrangement of the bristles and the position of the median projections. Our results suggest the taxonomical importance of these structures, which should be better analyzed when describing species of the genus Eidmanacris. In addition, while observing the reproductive behavior of these species, we concluded that the release of this gland secretion is important for the success of mating