Four new species of Ciulfina Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Mantodea: Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) from the Northern Territory, Australia

Holwell, Gregory I. (2014): Four new species of Ciulfina Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Mantodea: Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) from the Northern Territory, Australia. Zootaxa 3797 (1): 29-38, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3797.1.

Male control of copulation duration in Ciulfina praying mantids (Insecta Mantodea)

While copulation serves primarily to allow the transfer of male gametes, the duration of copulation often exceeds that required for successful sperm transfer. One path to elucidate the processes occurring during prolonged copulations is to determine the extent of male and female influence over copulation duration. Here I address the issue of relative male and female influence over copulation duration using a cross-species mating experiment between three species of praying mantis from the genus Ciulfina. Male species identity significantly influenced copulation duration in interspecific crosses, whereas female species identity and the interaction between male and female identity had no such influence. These results show that males exhibit greater influence over copulation duration than females in Ciulfina praying mantids and shed light on some previously observed patterns of mating behaviour within this genus.10 page(s

The influence of abrupt forest edges on praying mantid populations

1. The concept of an ‘edge’ habitat that is influenced by the biotic and abiotic characteristics of neighbouring habitats is a broadly applied principle in ecology. 2. Ciulfina klassi Giglio-Tos (Mantodea: Liturgusidae) inhabit vertical tree trunk surfaces in a restricted patch of coastal Melaleuca woodlands in the world heritage listed Wet Tropics Region of far north Queensland, Australia. Preliminary observations suggested that abrupt forest edges may have a positive effect on population density in the praying mantis C. klassi. 3. During field surveys over a two-year period, mantid densities were found to be higher at forest edges than forest interiors. 4. Greater sapling recruitment at forest edges may contribute to this edge effect by providing dense patches of tree trunk habitats. 5. The population characteristics of C. klassi are also described here in the context of our current understanding of praying mantid life histories. Aspects of the ecology of this tropical praying mantis species contrast with what is already understood about previously studied temperate species

Chirally dimorphic male genitalia in praying mantids (Ciulfina: Liturgusidae)

Although male polymorphisms occur widely in nature and have received considerable recent attention from studies of alternative mating strategies, male genital polymorphisms are less well known. Here, we describe a dimorphism in the orientation of the male genitalic complex of the praying mantid genus Ciulfina. Populations of Ciulfina species vary in the proportion of males with dextral (right-oriented) and sinistral (left-oriented) genitalia, ranging from directional asymmetry (single orientation only) to apparent antisymmetry (equal proportions of both orientations). The proportion of dextral males varied between species (C. baldersoni: 46%; C. rentzi: 24%; C. klassi: 100%; C. biseriata: 83%) and between populations. We used elliptic Fourier analysis to quantify shape and size variation between the genitalia of dextral and sinistral males and determined that the two forms were mirror images of one another in two species. We found that the level of mechanical reproductive isolation between heterospecific populations of opposite genital orientation was no greater than that between heterospecific populations with the same orientation or of mixed orientation. Genital orientation therefore did not influence premating isolation between these species, despite complete postmating isolation. The geographic proximity of populations to heterospecifics also showed no particular pattern with respect to genital orientation. These results suggest that reversible trait asymmetry in Ciulfina is not driven by reproductive isolation, and add to the growing evidence against the species isolation hypothesis for rapid genital evolution.9 page(s

Exaggerated trait allometry, compensation and trade-offs in the New Zealand giraffe weevil (Lasiorhynchus barbicornis).

Sexual selection has driven the evolution of exaggerated traits among diverse animal taxa. The production of exaggerated traits can come at a cost to other traits through trade-offs when resources allocated to trait development are limited. Alternatively some traits can be selected for in parallel to support or compensate for the cost of bearing the exaggerated trait. Male giraffe weevils (Lasiorhynchus barbicornis) display an extremely elongated rostrum used as a weapon during contests for mates. Here we characterise the scaling relationship between rostrum and body size and show that males have a steep positive allometry, but that the slope is non-linear due to a relative reduction in rostrum length for the largest males, suggesting a limitation in resource allocation or a diminishing requirement for large males to invest increasingly into larger rostra. We also measured testes, wings, antennae, fore- and hind-tibia size and found no evidence of a trade-off between these traits and rostrum length when comparing phenotypic correlations. However, the relative length of wings, antennae, fore- and hind-tibia all increased with relative rostrum length suggesting these traits may be under correlational selection. Increased investment in wing and leg length is therefore likely to compensate for the costs of flying with, and wielding the exaggerated rostrum of larger male giraffe weevils. These results provide a first step in identifying the potential for trait compensation and trades-offs, but are phenotypic correlations only and should be interpreted with care in the absence of breeding experiments

The Influence of abrupt forest edges on praying mantid populations

The concept of an 'edge' habitat that is influenced by the biotic and abiotic characteristics of neighbouring habitats is a broadly applied principle in ecology. Ciulfina klassi Giglio-Tos (Mantodea: Liturgusidae) inhabit vertical tree trunk surfaces in a restricted patch of coastal Melaleuca woodlands in the world heritage listed Wet Tropics Region of far north Queensland, Australia. Preliminary observations suggested that abrupt forest edges may have a positive effect on population density in the praying mantis C. klassi. During field surveys over a two-year period, mantid densities were found to be higher at forest edges than forest interiors. Greater sapling recruitment at forest edges may contribute to this edge effect by providing dense patches of tree trunk habitats. The population characteristics of C. klassi are also described here in the context of our current understanding of praying mantid life histories. Aspects of the ecology of this tropical praying mantis species contrast with what is already understood about previously studied temperate species.8 page(s

Austral ark : the state of wildlife in Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand are home to a remarkable and unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Sadly though, by virtue of their long isolation, and a naïve and vulnerable biota, both countries have suffered substantial losses to biodiversity since European contact. Bringing together the contributions of leading conservation biologists, Austral Ark presents the special features and historical context of Austral biota, and explains what is being conserved and why. The threatening processes occurring worldwide are discussed, along with the unique conservation problems faced at regional level. At the same time, the book highlights many examples of conservation success resulting from the innovative solutions that have been developed to safeguard native species and habitats in both New Zealand and Australia. Austral Ark fills an important gap regarding wildlife gains and declines, and how best to take conservation forward to keep this extraordinary area of the world thriving.1. A separate creation: diversity, distinctiveness and conservation of Australian wildlife David A. Nipperess; 2. New Zealand - a land apart William G. Lee and Daphne E. Lee; 3. The ecological consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation in New Zealand and Australia Poppy Lakeman Fraser and Robert M. Ewers; 4. The impacts of climate change on Australian and New Zealand flora and fauna Abigail Cabrelli, Linda Beaumont and Lesley Hughes; 5. Unwelcome and unpredictable: the sorry saga of cane toads in Australia Richard Shine and Benjamin L. Phillips; 6. Invasive plants and invaded ecosystems in Australia: implications for biodiversity Rachael V. Gallagher and Michelle R. Leishman; 7. Environmental weeds in New Zealand: impacts and management Margaret C. Stanley, Kate G. McAlpine and Imogen E. Bassett; 8. The insidious threat of invasive invertebrates Darren F. Ward; 9. Pollution by antibiotics and resistance genes: dissemination into Australian wildlife Michael Gillings; 10. Invasive vertebrates in Australia and New Zealand Cheryl R. Krull, Josie A. Galbraith, Al S. Glen and Helen W. Nathan; 11. Freshwaters in New Zealand Mike Joy; 12. A garden at the edge of the world; the diversity and conservation status of the New Zealand flora Carlos A. Lehnebach; 13. The evolutionary history of the Australian flora and its relevance to biodiversity conservation Maurizio Rossetto; 14. Protecting the small majority: insect conservation in Australia and New Zealand Gregory I. Holwell and Nigel R. Andrew; 15. Terrestrial mammal diversity, conservation and management in Australia Mark D. B. Eldridge and Catherine A. Herbert; 16. Marine mammals, back from the brink? Contemporary conservation issues Robert Harcourt, Helene Marsh, David Slip, Louise Chilvers, Mike Noad and Rebecca Dunlop; 17. Australian reptiles and their conservation Jonathan K. Webb, Peter S. Harlow and David A. Pike; 18. New Zealand reptiles and their conservation Nicola J. Nelson, Rod Hitchmough and Jo M. Monks; 19. Austral ark chapter - isolation, invasion and innovation: forces of change in the conservation of New Zealand birds Sarah Withers; 20. Australian birds: current status and future prospects Stephen T. Garnett, Judit K. Szabo and Donald C. Franklin; 21. Austral amphibians - Gondwanan relicts in peril Jean-Marc Hero, J. Dale Roberts, Conrad J. Hoskin, Katrin Lowe, Edward J. Narayan and Phil J. Bishop; 22. Predators in danger: shark conservation and management in Australia, New Zealand, and their neighbours Paolo Momigliano, Vanessa Flora Jaiteh and Conrad Speed; 23. 'Ragged mountain ranges, droughts and flooding rains': the evolutionary history and conservation of Australian freshwater fishes Leanne Faulks, Dean Gilligan and Luciano B. Beheregaray; 24. Down under Down Under: austral groundwater life Grant C. Hose, Maria G. Asmyhr, Steve J. B. Cooper and William F. Humphreys; 25. Fire and biodiversity in Australia John C. Z. Woinarski, Allan H. Burbidge, Sarah Comer, D. Harley, Sarah Legge, David B. Lindenmayer and Thalie B. Partridge; 26. Terrestrial protected areas of Australia Ian D. Craigie, Alana Grech, Robert L. Pressey, Vanessa M. Adams, Marc Hockings, Martin Taylor and Megan Barnes; 27. Australian marine protected areas Alana Grech, Graham Edgar, Peter Fairweather, Robert L. Pressey and Trevor Ward; 28. Marine reserves in New Zealand: ecological responses to protection and network design Nick Sh.637 page(s

Internal reproductive anatomy of the praying mantid Ciulfina klassi (Mantodea: Liturgusidae)

Using light and scanning electron microscopy, the internal male and female reproductive anatomy of the praying mantid Ciulfina klassi is identified and described. This is the first detailed study to investigate the internal reproductive morphology of any Mantodea. The female structures identified were (1) paired ovaries with primitive panoistic type ovarioles, (2) a single blind-ended spermatheca with secretory gland cells and surrounding layer of striated muscle, and (3) female accessory glands associated with the production of the ootheca (the egg casing). The male structures identified were (1) paired multi-tubular testes, in which different stages of spermatogenesis were observed, (2) tubular vasa deferentia, (3) seminal vesicles, (4) male accessory glands and (5) a single muscular ejaculatory duct. Knowledge of basic reproductive morphology can be used to infer function and so provide key information for future research into reproductive behavior and physiology in the Mantodea.10 page(s

Frequency distribution of rostrum length in <i>Lasiorhynchus barbicornis</i>.

<p>Male (hatched bars, n = 987) rostrum length is right skewed but unimodal, while the rostrum length of females (shaded bars) is normally distributed. Frequencies are plotted as probability densities to allow for comparison between the two uneven sample sizes. </p