Most species of Bostrychidae exhibit specialized sensory organs which consist in dense groups of basiconic sensilla on each segment of their antennal club. These sensory organs cover either flat or concave surfaces. Observations have been carried out, in order to assess structural details on the antennal clubs of the following species: Bostrychus capucinus L., Lichenophanes varius Illig., Amphicerus bimaculatus (Ol.), Xylonites retusus (Ol.), Xylonites praeustus Germ., Scobicia chevrieri Villa, Sinoxylon sexdentatum (Ol.), Sinoxylon perforans Schr. Three different arrangements of sensilla have been observed: l) flat fields; 2) longitudinal grooves; 3) subspherical pits. The borders of the flat fields are either entirely or partially contoured. Both flat fields of certain species and the subspherical pits are concealed beneath a group of layered marginal setae. No sex dimorphism was found. The sensory areas occupy both faces of each antennal segment.They are usually two on each face, although their number may be higher in some species. With regard to the phylogenesis of these structures, it is suspected that both the longitudinal grooves and the subspherical pits originate from the flat fields by way of two separate evolutionary trends. Subsequently, they were masked by the marginal setae. Possibly, Bostrychidae use these organs to search for their host-plants.
Struttura delle «aree sensoriali» antennali di alcuni Bostrichidi (Coleoptera)
PORCELLI, Francesco
1987-01-01
Abstract
Most species of Bostrychidae exhibit specialized sensory organs which consist in dense groups of basiconic sensilla on each segment of their antennal club. These sensory organs cover either flat or concave surfaces. Observations have been carried out, in order to assess structural details on the antennal clubs of the following species: Bostrychus capucinus L., Lichenophanes varius Illig., Amphicerus bimaculatus (Ol.), Xylonites retusus (Ol.), Xylonites praeustus Germ., Scobicia chevrieri Villa, Sinoxylon sexdentatum (Ol.), Sinoxylon perforans Schr. Three different arrangements of sensilla have been observed: l) flat fields; 2) longitudinal grooves; 3) subspherical pits. The borders of the flat fields are either entirely or partially contoured. Both flat fields of certain species and the subspherical pits are concealed beneath a group of layered marginal setae. No sex dimorphism was found. The sensory areas occupy both faces of each antennal segment.They are usually two on each face, although their number may be higher in some species. With regard to the phylogenesis of these structures, it is suspected that both the longitudinal grooves and the subspherical pits originate from the flat fields by way of two separate evolutionary trends. Subsequently, they were masked by the marginal setae. Possibly, Bostrychidae use these organs to search for their host-plants.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
