Functional Surface Structures on the Eggs of Stick and Leaf Insects (Insecta: Phasmatodea)

About this book

Volume 166 of Zoologica represents the first extensive comparative study of the egg surface morphology of stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). The eggs of 314 representative species are compared and described in detail, with a particular focus on the functional surface structures. This study combines a review of egg surface structures of 126 taxa visualised in various literature sources and adds scanning electron micros­copy investigations of 188 taxa visual­ised for the first time.

The eggs of Phasmatodea stand out among insects, because of the mineralization of the layered eggshell. This eggshell is a structural basis, which is modified in multiple different ways to facilitate various functions of the surface of the egg. Phasmids occur worldwide and are adapted to different environmental conditions, this lineage arose as a model for the study of evolutionary scenarios and ecomorphological adaptations.

The taxa considered cover a broad spec­trum of phylogenetic lineages within Phas­matodea, the entire biogeographic distri­bu­tion and different life history aspects of phasmids to facilitate investigation of rela­tion­ships between the egg structures, ecology and phylogeny. There are three differ­ent levels of surface structures found in phasmid eggs that can be categorised by their morphology. The majority of the corresponding categories occur convergently in several of the taxa considered, sug­gesting a high relevance of the ecological background of the species for the development of certain egg surface features. The functio­nal relevance of all surface structures is discussed and evaluated with reference to previous studies of similar structures in other insect groups and artificial model systems.

This study is of interest to biologists interested in biological surfaces, functional morphology, as well as the evolution, ecology and morphology of Phasmatodea. Furthermore, this monograph features a comprehensible description of the egg morphology of a high number of phasmid species, generously illustrated with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy images, and therefore is a substantial reference work for future researchers working on this character system.

Contents

1 Introduction   3
      1.1 General   3
      1.2 Stick insect eggs   3
      1.3 Oviposition techniques   5
      1.4 Ecological relevance of egg morphology in stick insects   5
      1.5 Aim of the study   8
2 Material and methods   8
      2.1 Species examined   8
      2.2 Reproductive ecology and oviposition techniques of the species   8
      2.3 Sample preparation   8
      2.4 Imaging   9
      2.5 Statistical analysis   9
3 Results   9
      3.1 Egg surface structures in Phasmatodea   9
            Timematidae Caudell, 1903   9
            Aschiphasmatidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893   10
            Diapheromeridae Kirby, 1904   12
            Agathemeridae Bradler, 2003   13
            Heteronemiidae Rehn, 1904   14
            Pseudophasmatidae Rehn, 1904   15
            Prisopodidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893   17
            Anisacanthidae Günther, 1953   17
            Bacillidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893   18
            Heteropterygidae Kirby, 1896   21
            Lonchodidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893   22
            Phasmatidae Leach, 1815   32
            Achriopterini Günther, 1953   35
            Phylliidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893   35
      3.2 Summary of egg surface structures   38
            3.2.1 Surface expansions   38
            3.2.2 Surface decorations   38
            3.2.3 Surface pattern   39
      3.3 Occurrence of egg surface features   39
            3.3.1 Taxonomic placement   39
            3.3.2 Oviposition techniques   40
4 Discussion   41
      4.1 Analysis of egg surface structures   41
            4.1.1 Phylogeny   42
            4.1.2 Oviposition   43
            4.1.3 Habitat   44
      4.2 Functional aspects of egg structures   45
5 Conclusions   48
6 Outlook   48

Acknowledgements   48
Figures 4-203   50
References   246
Appendix   257

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