Thoracic scent efferent system and exponium of Aphylidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea), its architecture and function

The external morphology of Aphylidae was studied previously in detail by the two junior authors, including the description of unique derived structures formed by their lateral thoracico-abdominal region (the exponium). Here we provide an additional description of the external scent efferent system o...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Petr KMENT, Pavel ŠTYS, Jitka VILÍMOVÁ
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science 2012-04-01
Series:European Journal of Entomology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-201202-0018_Thoracic_scent_efferent_system_and_exponium_of_Aphylidae_Hemiptera_Heteroptera_Pentatomoidea_its_architect.php
Description
Summary:The external morphology of Aphylidae was studied previously in detail by the two junior authors, including the description of unique derived structures formed by their lateral thoracico-abdominal region (the exponium). Here we provide an additional description of the external scent efferent system of the metathoracic scent glands of species in the genus Aphylum Bergroth, 1906 (based on scanning electron microscope study) and its connection with an autapomorphic aphylid thoracico-abdominal region, the exponium. The origins of exponial sclerites are discussed and function of the exponium is hypothesised as being part of a complex defensive mechanism in the Aphylidae.
ISSN:1210-5759
1802-8829