New teratological examples in Neotropical Staphylinidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), with a compilation of previous teratological records

Nuevos ejemplos teratológicos en Staphylinidae neotropicales (Insecta: Coleoptera), con una compilación de registros teratológicos previos

Julieta Asiain* and Juan Márquez

Laboratorio de Sistemática Animal, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH), km 4.5, Carretera Pachuca–Tulancingo s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 42184, Pachuca, Hidalgo, México.

*Correspondencia:
asiainae@yahoo.com

Recibido: 09 noviembre 2007
Aceptado: 21 mayo 2008

Abstract

Teratology is the study of malformations that affect various organisms and may cause taxonomic confusion. The goal of this work is to compile the previously published information about malformations in species of Staphylinidae, to describe 10 teratological cases that have not been previously recorded in neotropical species of this family, and to point out the high frequency of these malformations in the studied specimens. The previously recorded cases were obtained from review of 13 papers, and the studied specimens were obtained on loan from several collections. In total, 43 teratological cases were compiled for Staphylinidae, belonging to 39 species from 8 subfamilies. Ten teratological cases are described for specimens from Belonuchus, Agrodes and Plochionocerus. One of them occurs in B. apiciventris, 2 in A. elegans, 3 in P. humeralis, 3 in P. fulgens and 1 in P. splendens. Most of the anomalies affect the antennae (7 cases), but teratologies that affect mandibles (1 case), midlegs (1 case) and pronotum (1 case) are also presented.

Key words: anomalies, taxonomical confusions, staphylinids, Agrodes, Plochionocerus, Belonuchus.

Resumen

Teratología es el estudio de las malformaciones que afectan a distintos organismos y que pueden causar confusiones taxonómicas. El objetivo del presente estudio es recopilar la información previamente publicada sobre teratologías en especies de Staphylinidae, dar a conocer 10 casos de anomalías presentes en especies neotropicales de esta familia que no han sido reportadas con anterioridad, así como resaltar la alta frecuencia de estas deformaciones en los organismos estudiados. Los casos previamente reportados se obtuvieron de la revisión de 13 trabajos, mientras que los ejemplares estudiados proceden del préstamo de organismos de distintas colecciones. Se recopiló un total de 43 casos teratológicos para Staphylinidae, pertenecientes a 39 especies de ocho subfamilias. Se describen 10 casos teratológicos en ejemplares de Agrodes, Plochionocerus y Belonuchus, 2 de ellos se presentaron en A. elegans, 1 en B. apiciventris, 3 en P. humeralis, 3 en P. fulgens y 1 en P. splendens. La mayoría de las anomalías afectan las antenas (7 casos), pero también se presentan teratologías que afectan las mandíbulas (1 caso), mesopatas (1 caso) y pronoto (1 caso).

Palabras clave: anomalías, confusiones taxonómicas, estafilínidos, Agrodes, Plochionocerus, Belonuchus.

Introduction

Teratology is the study of structural abnormalities, especially monstrosities and malformations (Torre–Bueno, 1989). Balazuc (1948) defines it as the study of monsters. Monsters are specimens of a particular species with 1 or more exceptional anatomical particularities, incompatible with the generic characters or with characters of the suprageneric taxon to which the species belongs (Savini and Furth, 2004). The existence of teratomorph specimens in Coleoptera, as in other insects, may be due to alterations in the embryonic or postembryonic development, caused by genetic or environmental factors (Balazuc, 1948). In the last 50 years teratology in beetles has been discussed by various authors, including Balazuc (1948), Gamarra and Outerelo (1986), Osuna (1992), Ortuño and Hernández (1993), Navarrete–Heredia et al. (2002), and Savini and Furth (2004), who analyzed species of Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae, Meloidae, Staphylinidae, Scarabaeidae and Tenebrionidae. For Staphylinidae, anomalies have been described in species belonging to 8 subfamilies, but especially the Staphylininae (Table 1).

The goal of this work is to compile the teratological cases previously described in the Staphylinidae and present 10 new examples of anomalies in the mouthparts, antennae, pronotum and legs. Some of these anomalies have been reported frequently in previous studies, but others are rarely presented.

Material and methods

The anomalies studied herein, except these in Belonuchus apiciventris (Sharp, 1885), were detected when the systematic revision of the genus Plochionocerus Dejean, 1833 was undertaken, so we are using the classification that resulted from that study and treat Agrodes Nordmann, 1837 and Plochionocerus Dejean, 1833 as distinct taxa (Asiain et al., 2007).

The classification used to describe the deformations is based on Balazuc's (1948) proposal and the terms are defined herein.

Results

Compilation of the teratological cases in Staphylinidae based on all the available literature (Balazuc, 1948; Frank, 1981; Gamarra and Outerelo, 1986; Ortuño and Hernández, 1993; Schillhammer and Smetana, 2000; Navarrete–Heredia et al., 2002), teratological cases described in specimens of Staphylinidae were compiled and summarized in Table 1. They have been described for the following subfamilies: Aleocharinae (8), Osoriinae (1), Oxyporinae (2), Oxytelinae (1), Paederinae (4), Staphylininae (15 cases), Steninae (2) and Tachyporinae (1).

Description of the new teratological cases. 1. Anomalies in antennae.

1.1. Schistomelies. This type of monstrosity has been frequently studied and was the first type of teratology detected in Coleoptera (Balazuc, 1948). It consists of the division of an appendage into 2 (binary schistomely), 3 (tertiary schistomely) or more branches (complex schistomely). If the specimen has more than 1 divided appendage, it is a multiple schistomely; if the appendage presents simultaneously an anomaly from a distinct teratological type, the schistomely is combined; if the different anomalies are presented in different parts of the body, the schistomely is associated (Balazuc, 1948).

Belonuchus apiciventris (Sharp, 1885; Staphylininae: Staphylinini).

Anomaly: Binary schistomely, slightly heterodynamic in right antenna. Description: The first 7 antennomeres are normal, antennomere 8 is wider than normal and from it originates a bifurcate branch that includes antennomeres 9 and 10 which are fused medially. Antennomere 11 is inserted on both branches and is shorter and malformed on the left branch (Fig. 1).

Specimen studied. "México: Morelos, Tlayacapan, San José de los Laureles. NTP–80. Loc. 1. Bosque de pino–Encino. Agosto 1995. K. Villavicencio y J. Márquez. cols." (MZFC, 1).

1.2. Symphysomelies. This usually consists of the fusion of antennomeres (symphysoceries) or, less frequently, the fusion of segments of legs (symphysopodies; Balazuc, 1948). Balazuc (1948) indicates that partial or total fusions of pairs of antennomeres from 6 to 11 are common, and less so for 4 and 5 and rare for 3 and 4. Apparently symphysoceries occur especially in Cerambycidae (Balazuc, 1948; Ortuño and Hernández, 1993), but also have been detected in Carabidae, Tenebrionidae and Staphylinidae (Ortuño and Hernández, 1993). The cases described here are symphysoceries.

Agrodes elegans Nordmann,1837 (Staphylininae: Xantholinini)

Anomaly: Unilateral symphysocery type 8–9–10. Description: Antennomere 8 of the right antenna is fused with antennomere 9, which is fused with antennomere 10 on their internal sides. The internal side of antennomere 8 is longer than the external side (Fig. 2).

Specimen studied. "Perú: Cuzco Dept., Consuelo, Manu re. km 165, 7–X–1982,/ FMNH #82–350, ex litter under crown of felled tree, L. E. Watrous and G. Mazurek" (FMNH, 1).

Agrodes elegans Nordmann, 1837

Anomaly: Unilateral symphysocery type 7–8 and 9–10–11. Description: Antennomeres 7–11 of the right antenna are fused. Antennomere 7 is fused with antennomere 8 on their external side, antennomeres 8 and 9 are partially fused, and antennomeres 9–11 are totally fused. Antennomeres 8–11 are fused dorsally and ventrally on their right half (Fig. 3).

Specimen studied. "Perú: Cuzco Dept., Consuelo, Manu re. Km 165, 7–X–1982,/ FMNH #82–350, ex litter under crown of felled tree, L. E. Watrous and G. Mazurek" (FMNH, 1).

Anomaly: Unilateral symphysocery type 9–10. Description: Antennomeres 9 and 10 of the left antenna are fused on their external side and the external side of antennomere 9 is slightly shorter than the internal side (Fig. 4).

Specimen studied. "Tena Ecuador/ F. X. Williams Collector/ Tena Ecuador March 27, 1923/ Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Colln. Acc. Z–13812" (FMNH, 1).

Plochionocerus fulgens (Fabricius, 1876).

Anomaly: Unilateral symphysocery type 10–11. Description: Antennomeres 10 and 11 of the left antenna are fused at their point of articulation (Fig. 5).

Specimen studied. "Venezuela: T. F. A. Camp V. 0°49'N, 66°0'W Cerro d. 1. Neblina 1250m 23–24 March 1984, O.S. Flint, Jr./ United States National Museum" (USNMNH, 1).

Plochionocerus fulgens (Fabricius, 1876)

Anomaly: Unilateral symphysocery type 8–9. Description: Antennomeres 8 and 9 of the left antenna are partially fused latero–dorsally on their external side (Fig. 6).

Specimen studied. "Brazil: Para: Jacareacanga. Feb. 1970. F. R. Barbosa" (AMNH, 1).

Plochionocerus splendens (Blanchard, 1842).

Anomaly: Unilateral symphysocery type 4–5–6, 7–8 and 9–10–11. The right antenna exhibits the near complete fusion of antennomeres 4–6, 7–8, and 9–11. The length of antennomeres 4–11 are reduced, resulting in a shorter antenna compared with the left one (Fig. 7). In the first fusion (4–5–6), antennomere 4 is notably reduced and scarcely visible in dorsal view (Fig. 7c), ventrally it is completely fused with antennomere 5. Antennomeres 5 and 6 are longer than antennomere 4, and are nearly completely fused dorsally and ventrally. The second malformation affects antennomeres 7 and 8 of the right antenna, which are near completely fused and approximately are of the same size (Fig. 7). In the third fusion (9–11), antennomeres 9–10 are near completely fused, and antennomeres 10–11 are partially fused internally (Fig. 7b,c).

Specimen studied. "Yungas Bolivia/ splendens Blanch. Type/ R.I.SC.N.B. 17.479 Coll. et det. A. Fauvel" (IRSNB).

2. Anomaly in mouthparts

2.1. Diverse anomalies

Plochionocerus fulgens (Fabricius, 1876)

Anomaly: Asymmetrical anomaly. Description: The left mandible is longer than the right and the external margin is constricted (Fig. 8).

Specimen studied. "Bogota. 89–82." (BMNH, ).

3. Anomalies in pronotum

3.1. Diverse anomalies

3.1.1. Symmetrical or asymmetrical marginal deformations of the pronotum. Include any form with symmetrical or asymmetrical hemiatrophy, protuberances or tumors (Balazuc, 1948).

Plochionocerus humeralis (Sharp, 1885)

Anomaly: Asymmetrical anomaly. Description: The right lateral margin of the pronotum has an acute protuberance anteriorly (Fig. 9).

Specimen studied. "Costa Rica: Puntarenas, Las Alturas Field Station, 20 km N San Vito de Hava. 1–5/VII/91. DeVries 1400m. Malaise trap" (AMNH, 1).

4.1. Combined schistomely: Different forms of heterodynamic and atypical schistomely could be considered to be the combination of schistomely and atrophy or the combination of schistomely–symphysocery

Plochionocerus humeralis (Sharp, 1885)

Anomaly: Atrophy of femur and tibia, and heterodynamic schistomely of tarsi. Description: The anterior third of the right mesofemur is constricted and forms an uncoded structure (Fig. 10c). The mesotibia is strongly expanded apically (Fig. 10e) and near the apical margin an apparently primordial tarsomere is found (Fig. 10c,f).

Specimen studied. "Middle Rio Ucayali, Peru XII.14.23 FB154/ F. Bassler Collection Acc. 33591" (AMNH, 1).

Discussion

The anomalies most frequently reported in Staphylinidae are symphysomelies (fusion of antennal or leg segments), particularly in antennae (symphysoceries), and diverse malformations, mainly in the pronotum, but also in mandibles, head, thorax, elytra, aedeagus and central nervous system; schistomelies (bifurcation or trifurcation of appendages) in antennae and femora are reported less frequently. Ectromelies (reduction or total or partial loss of appendages in antennae, palpi, legs or tarsi), atrophies in antennae and elytra, hemiatrophies (lack of a hemisclerite), helicomeries (anomalies in segments) and malformations in the aedeagus are present in fewer than 4 cases each (Table 1).

Symphysocery of 2 or 3 antennomeres was described for several specimens of Rhizotrogus villiersi Baraud, 1970 (Scarabaeidae; Baraud, 1977, in Ortuño and Hernández, 1993). Ortuño and Hernández (1993) described an unilateral symphysocery type 4–5–6 in the cerambycid Arhopalus rusticus (Linnaeus, 1758), and another case in Philorhizus vectensis Rye, 1873 (Carabidae), with the fusion of the antennomeres 8–9–10–11. For Staphylinidae, Hervé (1971, in Ortuño and Hernández, 1993) described the fusion of the antennomeres 3–4–5 in Gynotyphlus perpusillus (Dodero, 1900). Cases of symphysocery involving more that 2 consecutive antennomeres have been reported for staphylinids Atheta (Datomicra) sordidula (Erichson, 1837) and Oxypoda praecox Erichson, 1839 (Gamarra and Outerelo, 1986). Navarrete–Heredia et al. (2002) recorded Oxyporus lawrencei Campbell, 1974 with the fusion of antennomeres 5–6 of the left antenna, and Glenus setosus Sharp, 1887 with the partial fusion of antennomeres 9–10 of the right antenna (Table 1). The previous records together with the cases described herein allow expansion of the concept of symphysocery established by Balazuc (1948), who cited only the total or partial fusion of pairs of antennomeres, to include the fusion of 3 or more antennomeres.

The cases of unilateral symphysocery reported in previous studies are the following: a) fusion of 2 antennomeres, b) fusion in pairs of several antennomeres, c) fusion of 3 antennomeres or, d) fusion of 4 antennomeres. We add herein 2 new types of combined fusion: combined fusion of 2 and 3 antennomeres (Agrodes elegans) and combined fusion of 3, 2 and 3 antennomeres (Plochionocerus splendens). Although fusion of antennomeres 4–11 is found, apparently none has been reported for 1–3.

Symphysocery apparently occurs more frequently than other teratologies. Savini and Furth (2004) highlighted the fact that malformations in antennae are easily recognized, but in other structures, such as tarsi, the reduction or absence of a tarsomere may cause confusion at the family level; therefore it is necessary to continue describing teratological cases, not only in staphylinids, but also in other coleopterans.

Several cases of anomalies in mouthparts has been described in the Coleoptera, but most cases of malformation are reported for the maxillary and labial palpi, and less frequently for the mandibles. Malformations have been reported in the mandibles of Ocypus nitens (Schrank, 1781) (Table 1, Balazuc, 1948).

The endomychid Corynomalus cruciatus (de Mocquerys, 1880) has a protuberance on the right posterior corner of the pronotum (Balazuc, 1948). In the Staphylinidae an asymmetrical pronotum was recorded from a specimen of Atheta divisa (Märkel, 1845). Specimens of Philonthus quisquiliarius (Gyllenhal, 1810) and Paederus rubrothoracicus (Goeze, 1777) were reported with symmetrical pronotal deformations (Table 1).

The incorporation of the last teratological case (4.1) into Balazuc's (1948) classification was difficult because he presents examples combining schistomely with symphysoceries (antennae) or symphysopodies (legs), but no examples are cited with the combination of schistomely with atrophy, nor were any reported in the literature consulted. This type of malformation is probably infrequent.

It would be relevant to study of the causes of such anomalies, but this is beyond our capabilities. Balazuc (1948) considered several possible causes of the malformations, including mutations of the germ cells or somatic cells, egg development, and mechanic, physical and chemical factors (which can intervene in several stages of the development of the insect).

An important observation resulting from systematic revision of the genera Agrodes and Plochionocerus, is the fact that several species have a sympatric distribution (based on the label information), with result that these species are taxonomically difficult to identify due to their high morphological similarity and the scant differences in their aedeagi. A similar situation is presented with Belonuchus apiciventris, which is sympatric in some localities from Morelos, Mexico with a new species of Belonuchus and also with at least 3 other congeneric species: B. basiventris (Sharp, 1885), B. oxyporinus (Sharp, 1885) and B. rufipennis (Fabricius, 1801). Females of the new species of Belonuchus cannot be distinguished from the females of the sympatric B. apiciventris, limiting the description of the new species, although the males present several differences. Also, B. apiciventris has a color pattern and size similar to the 3 species previously cited, but can be distinguished, even males and females (Márquez, 2003).

The foregoing information allows us to question whether there is a relationship between the presence and frequency of the detected malformations with the possibility that the studied species of Belonuchus, Agrodes and Plochionocerus (probably closely related) reflect some attempts at copulation, or that probably have not yet completed the process of speciation. Only with a planned study to test these possibilities will be possible to resolve our doubts.

Probably there are additional teratological cases in Staphylinidae among entomological collections, but they may have not been detected or there is not enough interest in this theme. However, the phenomena could be most important to entomologists because the anomalies could cause problems of taxonomic identity at various levels (species, genus or even family).

Acknowledgements

We thank Juan J. Morrone (Museo de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM) and Lee Herman (American Museum of Natural History) for critical and meticulous review of the manuscript. Thanks also to the people and institutions for the loan of the material analysed. Two anonymous reviewers are gratefully acknowledged for their critical revision of the work.

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