The structures of the endophallus in three economically significant species of the genus Cryptolestes Ganglbauer, 1899 (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae)

Abstract

The structure of the inner sac (endophallus) of aedeagus is examined for three species of lined flat bark beetles (Cucujoidea: Laemophloeidae) of the genus Cryptolestes Ganglbauer, 1899 (Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens, 1831), C. turcicus (Grouvelle, 1876) and C. pusillus (Schönherr, 1817)) in compare with two additional species from this family: Laemophloeus cf. monilis (Fabricius, 1787) and Placonotus testaceus (Fabricius, 1787). Specimens were collected in Russia (Rostov and Krasnodar regions), Iran (Golestan Province), Pakistan (Karachi) and in dried fruits from Nigeria taken for analysis by the Russian quarantine service in Rostov-on-Don. All beetles are deposited in the Rostov Branch of All-Russian Plant Quarantine Centre (Rostov-on-Don, Russia) These cosmopolitan pest species are economically important, because attacks crops and other stored products. The diagnostics of these taxa are difficult for applied specialists. The endophallus is one of the taxonomically important structure to distinguish species of the genus Cryptolestes. We presented a historical review of study of male genitalia in this beetle family, especially armature of the endophallus, proposed the nomenclature of sclerites of the endophallus and discussed the subgeneric system of the genus Cryptolestes. Two groups of sclerites of the endophallus can be separated: basal and medio-apical. The first group comprises accessory sclerites, proximo-basal sclerites and distal-basal sclerites. The second apical group is presented by the following structures: median sclerites, median rugosity, medio-apical filaments, apical ring. As a result homology of sclerites in the different groups of Laemophloeidae is indicated

Keywords

• cryptolestes
• laemophloeidae
• endophallus
• nomenclature of structure
• taxonomical notes