Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. III. Featherwing Beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae)

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover At the Size Limit - Effects of Miniaturization in Insects

Abstract

The history of studies on the morphology of featherwing beetles is briefly reviewed. The internal morphology of adults and larvae of Ptiliidae is described in detail. Miniaturization-related structural features are revealed; the main ones are the following: absence of muscles of midgut, absence of heart, reduction of circulatory system and its replacement with parenchyma-like fat body, absence of tracheal system in abdomen in larvae, strong oligomerization and condensation of ganglia, asymmetry of central nervous system in larvae, absence of one testis and one ovary, and absence of several muscles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Araujo, J., & Pasteels, J. M. (1985). Ultrastructure de la Glande Defensive de Drusilla canaliculata (Fab.) (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) Archives de biologie (Bruxelles) 96, 81–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Betz, O., Thayer, M. K., & Newton, A. F. (2003). Comparative morphology and evolutionary pathways of the mouthparts in spore-feeding Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera). Acta Zoologica, 84(3), 179–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., Anton, E., & Jäch, M. A. (2003). On the evolution of adult head structures and the phylogeny of Hydraenidae (Coleoptera, Staphyliniformia). Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 41(4), 256–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G. (1994). Phylogenetic analysis of Hydrophiloidea based on characters of the head of adults and larvae (Coleoptera, Staphyliniformia). Koleopterologische Rundschau, 64, 103–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., & Haas, A. (1998). Larval head morphology of Hydroscapha natans LeConte 1874 (Coleoptera, Myxophaga, Hydroscaphidae) with special reference to miniaturization. Zoomorphology, 118(2), 103–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., & Haas, A. (2000). Phylogenetic releationships of the suborders of Coleoptera (Insecta). Cladistics, 16, 103–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., & Jäch, M. A. (1995). Untersuchungen unber die Propleura der Hydraenidae (Coleoptera: Staphyliniformia). Zeitschrift der Arbeitsgemeinschaft österreichischer Entomologen, 47, 59–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., & Komarek, A. (2004). Comparative study of thoracic structures of adults of Hydrophiloidea and Histeroidea with phylogenetic implications (Coleoptera, Polyphaga). Organisms Diversity & Evolution, 4, 1–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., & Molenda, R. (1997). Comparative Morphology of Selected Larvae of Staphilinoidea (Coleoptera, Polyphaga) with Phylogenetic Implication. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 236, 31–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, R. G., & Splinski, A. (2001). Comparative study of head structures of larvae of Sphindidae and Protocucujidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea). European Journal of Entomology, 98, 219–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boving, A. G., & Craighead, F. C. (1931). An illustrated synopsis of the principal larvae forms of the Coleoptera. New York: The Brooklyn Entomological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carstens, S., & Storch, V. (1980). Beeinflussung der Ultrastruktur von Fettkorper und Mitteldarm des Staphyliniden Atheta fungi (Grav.) durch Umwelteinflusse. Zoologische Jahrbuecher Abteilung für Anatomie und Ontogenie der Tiere, 103, 73–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowson, R. A. (1938). The metendosternite in Coleoptera: a comparative study. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 87, 397–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowson, R. A. (1944). Futher studies on the metendosternite in Coleoptera. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 94, 273–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowson, R. A. (1981). The biology of the Coleoptera. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Coninck, E., & Coessens, R. (1981). Life cycle and reproductive pattern of Acrotrichis intermedia (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae) in experimental conditions. Journal of Natural History, 15(6), 1047–1055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Marzo, L. (1992). Osservationi anatomiche sui genitali interni maschili in alcuni ptilidi (Coleoptera). Entomologica Bari, 27, 107–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Marzo, L. (2000). Larve di coleotteri in detriti vegetali di orgine agricola: lineamenti morfologici e presenza stagionale (Polyphaga: 20 familglie). Entomologica Bari, 2000(34), 65–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Marzo, L. (2001). Coleotterofauna dei depositi di Podisonia: morfologia larvale in alcune specie caratteristiche (Sphaerididae, Histeridae, Ptiliidae, Staphylinidae). Estratto dagli Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G.Doria” 93(3), 461–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado, J. A., & Soler, A. G. (1996). Morphology and chaetotaxy of the first-instar larva of Hydraena (Phothydraena) hernandoi Fresneda & Lagar (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Koleopterologische Rundschau, 66, 147–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado, J. A., & Soler, A. G. (1997a). Morphology and Chaetotaxy of Larval Hydraenidae (Coleoptera) I: The Genus Limnebius Leach, 1815. Based on a Description of Limnebius cordobanus d’Orchymont. Aquatic Insects, 19(1), 37–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delgado, J. A., & Soler, A. G. (1997b). Morphology and Chaetotaxy of Larval Hydraenidae (Coleoptera) II: The Subgenus Ochthebius s. str. Leac. Bulletin de l’Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique Entomologie, 67, 45–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado, J. A., & Soler, A. G. (1997c). Morphology and Chaetotaxy of Larval Hydraenidae (Coleoptera) III: The Genus Calobius Wollaston, 1854. Aquatic Insects, 19(3), 165–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dybas, H. S. (1976). The larval characters of featherwing and limulodid betles and family relationships in the Staphylinoidea. Fieldiana Zoology 70(3), 29–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dybas, H. S. (1978). Polimorphism in Featherwing Beetles, with a Revision of the Genus Ptinelloides (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 71, 695–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dybas, L. K., & Dybas, H. S. (1981). Coadaptation and taxanomic differentiation of sperm and spermathecae in featherwing beetles. Evolution, 35(1), 168–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dybas, L. K., & Dybas, H. S. (1987). Ultrastructure of mature spermatozoa of a minute featherwing beetle from Sri Lanka (Coleoptera, Ptiliidae: Bambara). Journal of Morphology, 191, 63–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fedorenko, D. N. (2009). Evolution of the beetle hind wing, with special reference to folding (Insecta, Coleoptera). Sofia, Moscow: Pensoft Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganglbauer L (1895) Familienreihe Staphyloidea. In Die Käfer von Mitteleuropa 2. Gerold, Wien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grebennikov, V. V., & Beutel, R. G. (2002). Morphology of the minute larva of Ptinella tenella, with special reference to effects of miniaturisation and the systematic position of Ptiliidae (Coleoptera: Staphylinoidea). Arthropod Structure & Development, 31(2), 157–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillmeister, C. J. F. (1845). Trichopterygia, Beschreibung and Abbilidung der haarflugeligen Kafer. Deutschlands Insekten Kafer, 17, 1–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, W. E. (1999). Generic revision of the tribe Nanosellini (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae: Ptiliinae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 125(1/2), 39–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, P. M. (1976). A review of the genus Anotylus C. G. Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Bulletin of the Natural History Entomology 33(2), 141–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, M. (1997). Phylogeny and classification of the staphyliniform beetle families (Coleoptera). Biologiske Skrifter, 48, 1–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman, L. H. (1970). Phylogeny and reclassification of the Genera of the rove-beetle Subfamily Oxyteline of the World (Col., Staph.). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 142, 343–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, T., Bergsten, J., Levkanicova, Z., et al. (2007). A comprehensive phylogeny of beetles reveals the evolutionary origins of a super-radiation. Science, 318, 1913–1916.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jach, M. A., Beutel, R. G., Dıaz, J. A., & Kodada, J. (2000). Subgeneric classification, description of head structures, and world check list of Hydraena Kugelann (Insecta: Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums Wien, 102, 177–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kukalová-Peck, J., & Lawrence, J. F. (1993). Evolution of the hind wing in Coleoptera. Canadian Entomologist, 125(2), 181–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kukalová-Peck, J., & Lawrence, J. F. (2004). Relationships among coleopteran suborders and major endoneopteran lineages: evidence from hind wing characters. Journal of Entomology, 101, 95–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. F., Ślipiński, A., Seago, A. E., Thayer, M. K., Newton, A. F., & Marvaldi, A. E. (2011). Phylogeny of the Coleoptera based on morphological characters of adults and larvae. Annals of Zoology, 61(1), 1–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. F., & Newton, A. F. (1982). Evolution and classification of beetles. Annual Reviews of Ecology and Systematics, 13, 261–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. F., & Newton, A. F. (1995). Families and subfamilies of Coleoptera (with selected genera, notes, references and data family-group names) In: Lawrence JF, Newton AF Biology, Phylogeny and Classification of Coleoptera: Papers Celebrating the 80th Birthday of R.A. Crowson. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN (pp. 779–1006), Warzawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leschen, R. A. B., & Beutel, R. G. (2001). Pseudotracheal tubes, larval head, and mycophagy in Sepedophilius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae). Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 39(1/2), 25–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makarova, A. A., & Polilov, A. A. (2013). Peculiarities of the brain organization and fine structure in small insects related to miniaturization. 1. The smallest Coleoptera (Ptiliidae). Entomological Review, 93(6), 703–713.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandelshtam, U. E. (1983). Heйpoн и мышцa нaceкoмoгo (Insect Neuron and Muscle). Leningrad: Nauka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, A. (1872). Trichopterygia illustrata et descripta. Janson: London, E.W.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, A. (1900). Trichopterygia illustrata et descripta. Janson: London, E.W.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1985). The phylogeny and higher classification of the Staphylinidae and their allied groups (Coleoptera, Staphilinoidea). Eskaria, 23, 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1987a). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). I. Introduction, Head Sutures, Eyes and Ocelli. Kontyu, 55(3), 450–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1987b). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). II. Cranial Structure and Tentorium. Kontyu, 55(4), 666–675.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1988a). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). III. Antennae, Labrum and Mandibles. Kontyu, 56(1), 67–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1988b). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). IV. Maxillae and Labium. Kontyu, 56(2), 241–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1988c) Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). V. Cervix and Prothorax. Kontyu 56(3), 506–513.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1988d). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). VI. Masothorax and Metathorax. Kontyu, 56(4), 727–738.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1989a). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). VII. Metendosternite and Wings. Jpn. Journal of Entomology, 57(1), 82–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1989b). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). VIII. Thoracic Legs. Japanese Journal of Entomology, 57(2), 269–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1989c). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). IX. General Structure, Lateral Plates, Stigmata and 1st to 7st Segments of Abdomen. Japanese Journal of Entomology, 57(3), 517–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1989d). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). X. Eighth to 10th Segments of Abdomen. Japanese Journal of Entomology, 57(4), 720–733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naomi, S.-I. (1990). Comparative Morphology of the Staphylinidae and the Allied Groups (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea). XII. Abdominal Glands, Male Genitalia Female Spermatheca. Japanese Journal of Entomology, 58(1), 16–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton, A. F., & Thayer, M. K. (1988). A critique on Naomi’s phylogeny and higher classification of Staphylinidae and Allies (Coleoptera). Entomologia Generalis, 14(1), 63–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newton, A. F., & Thayer, M. K. (1992). Current classification and family-group names in Staphyliniformia (Coleoptera). Fieldiana Zoology, 67, 1–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panov, A. A. (1986). The cerebral neurosekretory cells and Retrocerebral endocrine complex in several representatives of Staphyliniformic Beetles (Coleoptera, Staphyliniformia). Journal fur Hirnforschung, 27(4), 409–421.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paulian, R. (1941). Les premiers etats des Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera). Etude de morphologie comparee. Mémoires du Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, 15, 1–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlovsky, E. N. (1956). К фyнкциoнaльнoй aнaтoмии пapaзитa выxyxoли ― жyкa Silphopsyllus desmanae Ols. (Coleoptera, Leptinidae) (On the functional anatomy of the beetle Silphopsyllus desmanae Ols. (Coleoptera, Leptinidae), parasite of desman). Entomologiceskoe obozrenie 35(3), 518–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, P. D. (1980). Aquatic beetles of the family Hydraenidae in the Western Hemisphere: classification, biogeography and inferred phylogeny (Insecta: Coleoptera). Quaestiones Entomologicae, 16, 3–554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, P. D. (1997). Life on the effective bubble: exocrine secretion delivery systems (ESDS) and the evolution and classification of beetles in the family Hydraenidae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Annals of the Carnegie Museum, 66, 89–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polilov, A. A. (2005). Anatomy of the feather-winged beetles Acrotrichis montandoni and Ptilium myrmecophilum (Coleoptera, Ptiliidae). Entomological Review, 85(5), 467–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polilov, A. A. (2008). Anatomy of the smallest of the Coleoptera, feather-winged beetles from tribe Nanosellini (Coleoptera, Ptiliidae) and limits to insect miniaturization. Entomological Review, 88(1), 26–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polilov, A. A., & Beutel, R. G. (2009). Miniaturization effects in larvae and adults of Mikado sp. (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae), one of the smallest free-living insects. Arthropod Structure & Development, 38(3), 247–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pototskaya, V. A. (1967). Oпpeдeлитeль личинoк кopoткoнaдкpылыx жyкoв (Staphylinidae) eвpoпeйcкoй чacти CCCP (Guide to Rove Beetle (Staphylinidae) Larvae of the European USSR). Moscow: Nauka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pototskaya, V. A. (1971). Mopфo-экoлoгичecкиe типы личинoк (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera) (Morphoecological types of larvae (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera)). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 50(11), 1665–1675.

    Google Scholar 

  • Praghan, S. (1938). Neuromuscular study of the mouthparts of Coccinella septempunctata L. with a comparison of the mouthparts in carnivorous and herbivorous Coccinellids. Records of The Indian Museum, 40, 341–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, W. (1981). Zur Kopfmorphologie der Imago des Olkaafers Lytta vesicatora (Coleoptera: Meloidea). Entomologia Generalis, 7, 69–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schunger, I., Beutel, R. G., & Britz, R. (2003). Morphology of immature stages of Prostomis mandibularis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Prostomidae). European Journal of Entomology, 100, 357–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seevers, C. H., & Dybas, H. S. (1943). A synopsis of Limulodidae: A new family proposed mirmecophilies of the subfamilies Lemulodinae. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 36, 546–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silvere, A. P., & Shtein-Margolina, V. V. (1976). Tetrapodili — чeтыpexнoгиe клeщи: Элeктpoннoмикpocкoпичecкaя aнaтoмия, пpoблeмы эвoлюции и взaимooтнoшeния c вoзбyдитeлями бoлeзнeй pacтeний (Tetrapodili: Fore-legs Mites. Evolution Problems and Mutual Relations with Plant Pathogenic Organisms) Valgus, Tallinn: Electron Microscopic Anatomy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorensson, M. (1997). Morphological and taxonomical novelties in the world’s smallest beetles, and the first Old World records of Nanosellini. Systematic Entomology, 22, 257–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speyer, W. (1922). Die Muskulatur der Larve von Dytiscus marginalis L. Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Insektenko¨rpers. Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Zoologie, 119, 423–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tikhomirova, A. L. (1973). Mopфoэкoлoгичecкиe ocoбeннocти и филoгeнeз cтaфилинид: (C кaтaлoгoм фayны CCCP) (Peculiar Morphoecological Features and Phylogeny of Staphylinids (With a Catalogue of the Staphylinids of Russia)). Moscow: Nauka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tikhomirova, (1974). Cтpoeниe личинoк cтaфилинид (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) в cвeтe явлeния эмбpиoнизaции и дeзэмбpиoнизaции (Morphology of rove beetle larvae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the light of the phenomena of embryonization and desembryonization). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 53(8), 1187–1195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weide, D., & Betz, O. (2009). Head morphology of selected Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera: Staphyliniformia) with an evaluation of possible groundplan features in Staphylinidae. Journal of Morphology, 270(12), 1503–1523.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weide, D., Thayer, M. K., Newton, A. F., & Betz, O. (2010). Comparative morphology of the head of selected sporophagous and non-sporophagous aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): musculature and hypopharynx-prementum complex. Journal of Morphology, 271(8), 910–931.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weide, D., Thayer, M. K., & Betz, O. (2014). Comparative morphology of the tentorium and hypopharyngeal–premental sclerites in sporophagous and non-sporophagous adult Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Acta Zoologica, 95(1), 84–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

    Alexey A. Polilov

Authors
  1. Alexey A. Polilov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexey A. Polilov .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Polilov, A.A. (2016). Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. III. Featherwing Beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae). In: At the Size Limit - Effects of Miniaturization in Insects. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39499-2_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation