To see the unseen: notes on the larval morphology and systematic position of Achanthiptera Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae)

Walczak, K; Pape, T; Wallman, JF; Szpila, K; Grzywacz, A

To see the unseen: notes on the larval morphology and systematic position of Achanthiptera Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae)

Walczak, K Pape, T Wallman, JF Szpila, K Grzywacz, A

Permalink

Publisher:: SENCKENBERG NATURHISTORISCHE SAMMLUNGEN DRESDEN, MUSEUM TIERKUNDE
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny, 2024, 82, pp. 305-322
Issue Date:: 2024-01-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (19.98 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Walczak, K
dc.contributor.author	Pape, T
dc.contributor.author	Wallman, JF
dc.contributor.author	Szpila, K
dc.contributor.author	Grzywacz, A
dc.date.accessioned	2025-01-21T02:55:28Z
dc.date.available	2025-01-21T02:55:28Z
dc.date.issued	2024-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny, 2024, 82, pp. 305-322
dc.identifier.issn	1863-7221
dc.identifier.issn	1864-8312
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/183924
dc.description.abstract	The muscid genus Achanthiptera Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae) was classified within its own subfamily Achanthipterinae for decades due to a misinterpretation of adult morphology. Conversely, the larval morphology suggested that Achanthiptera should be classified within Azeliinae, yet no formal changes were implemented based on this source of data. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we examined the larval morphology of Ac. rohrelliformis (Robineau-Desvoidy), Potamia littoralis Robineau-Desvoidy and Australophyra rostrata Robineau-Desvoidy. Despite the challenges posed by the poor condition of hundred-year-old museum specimens of Ac. rohrelliformis for light microscopy, CLSM examination yielded satisfactory results. Additionally, CLSM observations revealed peculiar modifications to the cephaloskeleton, including a dome-shaped (second instar) or spade-like (third instar) anterior rod attached to each mouthhook in Ac. rohrelliformis and P. littoralis. These structural modifications are likely to enhance the efficiency of food collecting by enlarging the surface of the mouthhooks. The results of our morphological analyses lead to the conclusion that larvae of Au. rostrata are facultative carnivores, while modified accessory oral sclerites in Ac. rohrelliformis and P. littoralis suggest a saprophagous feeding strategy. This study contributes new evidence that Achanthiptera is the sister taxon to Potamia Robineau-Desvoidy, and both are nested within the subfamily Azeliinae.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SENCKENBERG NATURHISTORISCHE SAMMLUNGEN DRESDEN, MUSEUM TIERKUNDE
dc.relation.ispartof	Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3897/ASP.82.E116703
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0603 Evolutionary Biology, 0608 Zoology
dc.subject.classification	3103 Ecology
dc.subject.classification	3104 Evolutionary biology
dc.subject.classification	3109 Zoology
dc.title	To see the unseen: notes on the larval morphology and systematic position of Achanthiptera Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae)
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	82
utslib.for	0603 Evolutionary Biology
utslib.for	0608 Zoology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-01-21T02:55:24Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	82

Abstract:

The muscid genus Achanthiptera Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae) was classified within its own subfamily Achanthipterinae for decades due to a misinterpretation of adult morphology. Conversely, the larval morphology suggested that Achanthiptera should be classified within Azeliinae, yet no formal changes were implemented based on this source of data. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we examined the larval morphology of Ac. rohrelliformis (Robineau-Desvoidy), Potamia littoralis Robineau-Desvoidy and Australophyra rostrata Robineau-Desvoidy. Despite the challenges posed by the poor condition of hundred-year-old museum specimens of Ac. rohrelliformis for light microscopy, CLSM examination yielded satisfactory results. Additionally, CLSM observations revealed peculiar modifications to the cephaloskeleton, including a dome-shaped (second instar) or spade-like (third instar) anterior rod attached to each mouthhook in Ac. rohrelliformis and P. littoralis. These structural modifications are likely to enhance the efficiency of food collecting by enlarging the surface of the mouthhooks. The results of our morphological analyses lead to the conclusion that larvae of Au. rostrata are facultative carnivores, while modified accessory oral sclerites in Ac. rohrelliformis and P. littoralis suggest a saprophagous feeding strategy. This study contributes new evidence that Achanthiptera is the sister taxon to Potamia Robineau-Desvoidy, and both are nested within the subfamily Azeliinae.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/183924