Premium
Morphology of the abdominal skeleton and muscles of the mosquito, Culiseta inornata (Williston) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Author(s) -
Owen William B.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051660204
Subject(s) - aedeagus , biology , anatomy , sternum , terminalia , morphology (biology) , zoology , botany , taxonomy (biology)
The morphology of the abdominal skeleton and muscles of the adult mosquito is incompletely known. The objectives of this study were to investigate these features in a common species, Culiseta inornata (Williston). Preserved specimens were stained lightly with methylene blue and studied with a dissecting microscope at 70 × and lower. The sclerites of the pregenital segements are best developed in segment II. The base of segment VIII in the male is narrow and semicircular in shape. This modification aids in rotation of the terminalia. Two new names are introduced for parts of the terminalia. Apodeme of sternum 9 is proposed for atrial plate of the female. Gonocoxital apodeme is a new term for a structure in the male. Both of these structures serve for attachement of muscles. Terms preferred for parts of the male terminalia are: (1) gonocoxite and gonostylus for the clasping organ; (2) paramere for the sclerotized plates on each side of and joined to the aedeagus; (3) sternum 10 for paraprocts. Sternum 10 is used because the occurrence of true paraprocts in the Nematocera is questionable. Thirty‐four muscles are illustrated, and the origin and insertion of each is described. Eighteen of the muscles are newly described for the mosquito. The rotational muscles of the male terminalia were identified. The results are presented in 21 text figures.