Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Microsc Res Tech. 2022 Mar;85(3):1005-1015. doi: 10.1002/jemt.23969. Epub 2021 Oct 22.
The habit of feeding on slime moulds (Myxomycetes) commonly present in litter or dead wood requires specific morphological adaptations of the mouthparts and sensory structures involved in the search for habitat and food. In this study, the external morphology of antenna and its sensilla were studied using scanning electron microscopy in the saproxylic beetle, Clinidium canaliculatum, Costa 1839 (Coleoptera, Rhysodidae). Their moniliform antennae consist of a scape, pedicel, and nine flagellomeres. We identified seven different types of sensilla, according to their morphological characteristics: two types of sensilla chaetica (sc1 and 2), two types of sensilla basiconica (sb1 and 2), one type of sensilla campaniformia, one type of sensilla coeloconica, and Böhm sensilla. No sexual dimorphism was found regarding antennal morphology and sensilla type and distribution, except for the sensilla coeloconica. The functional role of these sensilla was discussed in relation to their external structure and distribution, and compared with the current knowledge on coleopteran sense organs. Results are basic information for further physiological and behavioral studies to identify their role in the selection of habitat, food, mates and oviposition sites.
以腐殖质或枯木中常见的黏菌（黏菌门）为食的习性，需要口器和参与寻找栖息地和食物的感觉结构的特定形态适应。在这项研究中，我们使用扫描电子显微镜研究了腐木甲虫 Clinidium canaliculatum Costa 1839（鞘翅目，Rhysodidae）的触角及其感觉器官的外部形态。它们的念珠状触角由柄节、梗节和九个鞭节组成。根据形态特征，我们确定了七种不同类型的感觉器官：两种刚毛状感觉器官（sc1 和 2）、两种棒状感觉器官（sb1 和 2）、一种钟形感觉器官、一种腔锥形感觉器官和 Böhm 感觉器官。除了腔锥形感觉器官外，触角形态和感觉器官类型和分布没有性别二态性。我们根据外部结构和分布讨论了这些感觉器官的功能作用，并与鞘翅目感觉器官的现有知识进行了比较。研究结果为进一步的生理和行为研究提供了基础信息，以确定它们在选择栖息地、食物、配偶和产卵场所方面的作用。
