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Review of present knowledge of the external male and female genitalia in Pyrrhocoroidea (Heteroptera)
Mazáčková, Nikola ; Kment, Petr (advisor) ; Baňař, Petr (referee)
Superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea with its about 670 species in 71 genera is one of the smaller groups within the true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha). The common characteristics for these bugs are aposematic coloration and absence of ocelli. Most of the species are phytophagous and some are of economic importance as cotton stainers. The superfamily is further subdivided into two families, Pyrrhocoridae and Largidae, whose phylogenetic relatioships have been a subject of only few studies so far. To help resolve this problem, both molecular and morphological phylogenetic studies are needed. Among the morphological characters of importance are external genitalia of both sexes. This thesis gives a short overview of the current phylogeny of Pyrrhocoroidea. Its main focus is on the morphology of external male and female genitalia, which is summarized and characterized for each genus, and points out some essential differences between the taxa. A table uniting terms used for the particular structures of genitalia by different authors is included.
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Condition of dorsoabdominal scent glands in adults of the true bugs from the taxon Pentatomomorpha (Heteroptera)
Křížková, Petra ; Vilímová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kment, Petr (referee)
Existence of larval dorsoabdominal scent glands (DAGs) together with occurence of adult metathoracic scent glands is one of the important autapomorphic characters of taxon Heteroptera within taxon Insecta. DAGs can persist until adults in some species of this taxon. The persistence of DAGs were proved also in members of infraorder Pentatomomorpha. Targets of this thesis are: collect the knowledge about persistent adult DAGs in selected representative members of important families of taxon Pentatomomorpha; study and compare the condition of the DAGs in the oldest larval instars and adults; clarify the significance of existence the openings of conducting ductules of proper glandular units in reservoir intima of DAGs in study of the persistence of these glands. For study were used stereomicroscope, light and scanning electron microscope. Key words: Pentatomomorpha, Heteroptera, dorsoabdominal scent glands, openings of conducting ductules of glandular units, larvae of 5th instar, persistence in adults, persistence patterns, light microscope, scanning electron microscope
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Condition of the larval scent glands in adults of the Heteroptera infraorders
Křížková, Petra ; Vilímová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kment, Petr (referee)
The Heteroptera scent glands system is formed by larval dorso-abdominal glands (= DAGs) and adult metathoracic glands ( = MTGs). The present study deals with a summary about occurrence of DAGs which are functional not only in larval but also in adult bugs, either proved or very likely. The part of general characteristics includes information about morphology, histology and functions of DAGs. The systematic review of published cases of DAGs' persitence in the adult stage represents the main part of the study. Recapitulations about possible positions of adult persistent DAGs and the characters used to prove gland functionality conclude the study. Based on the list of persistent adult DAGs, it is evident that they can be functional more often than was supposed. The DAGs functionality within heteropteran adults seems to be relatively widespread phenomenon, particularly in regards to a life in terestrial environment.
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Role of aldehydes in multimodal aposematic signallig of true bugs
Bednářová, Hana ; Exnerová, Alice (advisor) ; Sedláček, Ondřej (referee)
1 Abstract: Multimodal signaling is quite common in nature. Even if we focus only on signaling among prey and its predator, we can still find many examples of communication combining more than one modality (vision, hearing, smell, taste). This thesis is about multimodal warning visual and olfactory signaling between true bugs (Heteroptera) and their avian predators. Aldehydes are an important compound of repellent secretion of most true bug species. They are considered to have defence effects against predators. In our experiments, we tested the effect of aldehydes mixture on behaviour of predators - naive hand-reared and experienced wild-caught adult great tits (Parus major) - towards several kinds of prey - aposematic true bugs Pyrrhocoris apterus, nonaposematic true bugs Pyrrhocoris tibialis and red painted mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae). We were focusing on the effect of aldehydes on initial reaction, learning process and predator's memory. Aldehydes elicited innate wariness in naive hand- reared great tits towards aposematic P. apterus, but not towards P. tibialis. Therefore it seems possible, that aldehydes act as a signal of unpalatability for naive predators, but only in multimodal combination with visual warning signal. Similar effect of aldehydes was not found in experiments with wild-caught...
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Comprehensive analysis of warning and defense compounds of true bugs by high-performance separation methods
Krajíček, Jan
Insects have developed many strategies of defence against predators in the course of evolution. The evolutionarily oldest and most widely used type of defence is chemical defence, followed by acoustic or optical defence. However, many species of insects use simultaneously multiple types of warning signals, which affect different sensory receptors of the given predator. Such a complex method of warning signals is called multimodal method. It may consist of a combination of simultaneous chemical and optical signals, or a combination of acoustic and optical signalling. The combination of chemical and optical signalling used against a predator is probably the most common form of multimodal signalling. The presented work deals with the analysis of biologically active substances, which participate in the defence mechanisms of a widespread species of insects - true bugs (Heteroptera). Pterin derivatives represent a large group of natural compounds derived from pteridin, bicyclic heterocycle, and they are found in virtually all living organisms from bacteria to vertebrates. In insects, they primarily serve as pigments, resulting for example in striking coloration of cuticles of Heteroptera. The first part of the dissertation was focused on identification and quantification of pterin derivatives in cuticles...
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Functions of myrmecomorphy in the arthropods and its occurrence and potential functions in true bugs
Hrebiková, Tereza ; Exnerová, Alice (advisor) ; Pipek, Pavel (referee)
Myrmecomorphy (ant mimicry) is structural and chromatic (sometimes also chemical and behavioural) resemblance to ants. Ant-mimicking species can be found in many arthropod taxa particularly in spiders and true bugs. Myrmecomorphy may serve several functions, protecting the mimics either from the ants themselves or from predators. Mechanisms of ant mimicry have been studied mostly in spiders and some insect taxa (e.g. beetles). In true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), ant mimicry exists in many species belonging to several families, and it is present in both larvae and adults. Notwithstanding its frequent occurrence, the literature about ant mimicry in true bugs is limited only to several incomplete lists of myrmecomorphic species, hypotheses on mimicry functions, and a few experimental studies. This thesis aims to review (1) experimental studies focused on function of ant mimicry in spiders and insects and (2) occurrence, form and potential function of ant mimicry in true bugs (Heteroptera). Key words: Myrmecomorphy, function, Arthropoda, spiders, insects, Heteroptera
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Behaviour of avian predators to seed bugs (Lygaeoidea): effectiveness of chemical defence
Chalušová, Kateřina ; Exnerová, Alice (advisor) ; Sedláček, Ondřej (referee)
By warning signalling prey advertises its unpalatability to the predators. Typical examples are true bugs (Heteroptera) combining optical and chemical signals. The aim of this study was to find out the effectiveness of chemical defence against wild-caught adults of great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and towards hand-reared juveniles of great tits. The tested prey were adults and larvae of two invasive species of genus Oxycarenus (Heteroptera: Oxycarenidae) (aposematic O. lavaterae, non-aposematic O. hyalinipennis), adults of Horvathiolus superbus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) and crickets (Gryllus assimilis) as a control prey. We were focusing on the influence of seed bugs to the initial reaction, the learning process and to the displays of discomfort behaviour in tits. Reactions affected by the tit species, age and sex were compared in adults. Juveniles were divided into two independent experimental groups, one group was offered adults of genus Oxycarenus, the second was offered sunflower (Helianthus sp.) or Digitalis sp. seed fed adults of H. superbus. The first bug offered did not elicit an initial aversive reaction in tits, but birds reacted aversively to the bugs after having further handling experience. All juveniles, contrary to the adult tits, attacked at least one bug...
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Comprehensive analysis of warning and defense compounds of true bugs by high-performance separation methods
Krajíček, Jan ; Bosáková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Feltl, Ladislav (referee) ; Ventura, Karel (referee)
Insects have developed many strategies of defence against predators in the course of evolution. The evolutionarily oldest and most widely used type of defence is chemical defence, followed by acoustic or optical defence. However, many species of insects use simultaneously multiple types of warning signals, which affect different sensory receptors of the given predator. Such a complex method of warning signals is called multimodal method. It may consist of a combination of simultaneous chemical and optical signals, or a combination of acoustic and optical signalling. The combination of chemical and optical signalling used against a predator is probably the most common form of multimodal signalling. The presented work deals with the analysis of biologically active substances, which participate in the defence mechanisms of a widespread species of insects - true bugs (Heteroptera). Pterin derivatives represent a large group of natural compounds derived from pteridin, bicyclic heterocycle, and they are found in virtually all living organisms from bacteria to vertebrates. In insects, they primarily serve as pigments, resulting for example in striking coloration of cuticles of Heteroptera. The first part of the dissertation was focused on identification and quantification of pterin derivatives in cuticles...
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Role of aldehydes in multimodal aposematic signallig of true bugs
Bednářová, Hana ; Exnerová, Alice (advisor) ; Sedláček, Ondřej (referee)
1 Abstract: Multimodal signaling is quite common in nature. Even if we focus only on signaling among prey and its predator, we can still find many examples of communication combining more than one modality (vision, hearing, smell, taste). This thesis is about multimodal warning visual and olfactory signaling between true bugs (Heteroptera) and their avian predators. Aldehydes are an important compound of repellent secretion of most true bug species. They are considered to have defence effects against predators. In our experiments, we tested the effect of aldehydes mixture on behaviour of predators - naive hand-reared and experienced wild-caught adult great tits (Parus major) - towards several kinds of prey - aposematic true bugs Pyrrhocoris apterus, nonaposematic true bugs Pyrrhocoris tibialis and red painted mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae). We were focusing on the effect of aldehydes on initial reaction, learning process and predator's memory. Aldehydes elicited innate wariness in naive hand- reared great tits towards aposematic P. apterus, but not towards P. tibialis. Therefore it seems possible, that aldehydes act as a signal of unpalatability for naive predators, but only in multimodal combination with visual warning signal. Similar effect of aldehydes was not found in experiments with wild-caught...
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Comprehensive analysis of warning and defense compounds of true bugs by high-performance separation methods
Krajíček, Jan
Insects have developed many strategies of defence against predators in the course of evolution. The evolutionarily oldest and most widely used type of defence is chemical defence, followed by acoustic or optical defence. However, many species of insects use simultaneously multiple types of warning signals, which affect different sensory receptors of the given predator. Such a complex method of warning signals is called multimodal method. It may consist of a combination of simultaneous chemical and optical signals, or a combination of acoustic and optical signalling. The combination of chemical and optical signalling used against a predator is probably the most common form of multimodal signalling. The presented work deals with the analysis of biologically active substances, which participate in the defence mechanisms of a widespread species of insects - true bugs (Heteroptera). Pterin derivatives represent a large group of natural compounds derived from pteridin, bicyclic heterocycle, and they are found in virtually all living organisms from bacteria to vertebrates. In insects, they primarily serve as pigments, resulting for example in striking coloration of cuticles of Heteroptera. The first part of the dissertation was focused on identification and quantification of pterin derivatives in cuticles...
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