Biology of the Arthropod Cuticle

Neuropeptidomic data were collected on the mosquito Ae. aegypti, which is considered the most tractable mosquito species for physiological and endocrine studies. The data were solely obtained by di...

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Neuropeptidomics of the Mosquito Aedes aegypti

A parsimony analysis was undertaken to test subfamily and tribal group concepts of Cassidinae (ca. 2000 genera, ca. 6000 species). An integrated account of their biology was synthesized from the primary literature. A detailed morphological study of adults, using Hemisphaerota palmarum Boheman as a model, formed the basis for evaluating characters previously utilized and for defining novel characters. The data matrix comprised 210 characters (from adults and immature stages, ecology and behavior), 6 outgroups, and 98 ingroup exemplar species (representing 94 genera and 39 of the 43 recognized cassidine tribes). Results support the monophyly of Cassidinae and place it as sister to Galerucinae. The classical Hispinae s.str. is paraphyletic whereas the classical Cassidinae s.str. is monophyletic if some Imatidiine genera are included. Four tribes—Aproidini, Delocraniini, Hemisphaerotini, and Notosacanthini—are well supported by many autapomorphies. Multiple genera were sampled to test the monophyly o...

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Biology and phylogeny of the Cassidinae Gyllenhal sensu lato (tortoise and leaf-mining beetles) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

We have examined the morphology and neuronal elements of the cerebral neuroendocrine system in the larval, pupal, and adult stages of the moth Manduca sexta with a variety of neuroanatomical techniques. The larval brain contains several discrete groups of neurosecretory and non-neurosecretory cells that project to the associated neurohemal organs (the corpora cardiaca-allata complex, or CC-CA) and to a variety of more peripheral structures. A previously undescribed set of cells in the subesophageal ganglion have also been found that project out the neurosecretory nerves.



During metamorphosis, the cerebral neuroendocrine system undergoes a dramatic structural reorganization, including the reduction or loss of many larval nerves and a repositioning of the cell groups and their dendritic fields. Despite these changes, most of its central elements are retained. In addition, by the completion of adult development a new cluster of cells can be found on either side of the dorsal midline of the brain. We have also determined the relative contributions of the different cell groups to the moth neuroendocrine system by intracellular iontophoresis of dye into individual cells. Within the dorsal protocerebrum, five separate morphological types of cells can be recognized, each with a distinctive pattern of dendritic arborization in the brain and terminal neurohemal processes that project to the CC, the CA, the aorta, or to a combination of these regions. The large intrinsic cells of the CC have also been filled, revealing an unusual set of morphological features in these peripheral neurosecretory cells.

Metamorphosis of the cerebral neuroendocrine system in the moth Manduca sexta

Adipokinetic hormones in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae: Identification and expression of genes for two peptides and a putative receptor

Shirley A. Potter

Papers

The fine structure of the spermathecae and their ducts in the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

The cardiacal neurosecretory system and associated organs of an adult mosquito, Aedes aegypti