Biology subjects

Chursina, M. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Chursina, M. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Morphometric characters in the taxonomic recognition of the species of Dolichopus pennatus group (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Sexually dimorphic structures (ornaments) on the legs are important diagnostic features for Dolichopus males, whereas females of those males are often morphologically similar and their species diagnostics is difficult. To assessing the relevance and feasibility of setting diagnostic characters for five sister species of the genus Dolichopus Latreille, 1796 (D. argyrotarsis, D. lineaticornis, D. pennatus, D. popularis, D. subpennatus) analysis of morphometric trait was used: comparison of wing shape by methods of geometric morphometry, as well as comparison of the ratios of the leg segments lengths. Comparative analysis of morphometric characters with molecular data made it possible to study the phylogenetic signal of male leg ornaments. It was shown for Dolichopus species, that modifications of the males middle legs occurred independently several times in the genus. In addition, the evolutionary pattern in the formation of similar ornaments was also associated with changes in the morphometric features of the legs and wings. Based on wing and legs morphometry, new diagnostic characters were proposed for females of the studied species group.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2022

Variation of sexual dimorphism of wing shape in the family Dolichopodidae (Diptera)

Although sexual dimorphism manifestations are widespread in the family Dolichopodidae, a detailed characterization of their phylogenetic significance is lacking. Purpose: in order to study the distribution patterns of wing sexual dimorphism, we analysed 57 species from 17 genera of 9 subfamilies. Methods: A comparative analysis of the evidence, obtained by geometric morphometry and molecular data, allowed us to assess the phylogenetic signal in the sexual dimorphism of the wing. Results: The results of the study confirm the presence of diverse patterns of sexual variability in the wings of this family. More often, females have larger wings with blunted apexes, whereas males are characterized by a more pointed apex. In some cases, the larger size of females wings is associated with an increase in body size, while in other cases, differences in shape and size can be explained by differences in behavioural and life patterns. Although there exists a general pattern of sexual dimorphism, its features differ even in closely related species. Conclusion: the absence of a significant phylogenetic signal in seven out of nine studied wing points indicates that the sexual dimorphism in form evolved, at least partially, in each of the studied species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2022

Phylogeny of the genus Dolichopus Latreille, 1796 and testing for phylogenetic signal in morphological characters and morphometric data

Four groups of characters were used to evaluate phylogenetic relationships among 50 species of the genus Dolichopus: 810 nucleotide characters (for cytochrome oxidase I), 18 continuous characters generated from a geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape, 12 relative characters of the leg morphometry and 42 traditional morphological characters. Subsequently, the common database was used to construct a phylogenetic genus tree and to study the presence of a phylogenetic signal in each group. In this study it was shown that the following characters have a significant phylogenetic signal: the thickening of the costal vein at the insertion point with R1, the color of the fore coxa, the presence of male secondary sexual characters on the forelegs, the color of the femora, the presence of long cilia on the hind femora, and the color of the lower postocular cilia. Traits of male wing shape, such us the relative position of the apex of M1+2, the location of the posterior cossvein, the origin of the radial veins, and the position of the anal vein base, also showed a high phylogenetic signal. In addition, in males, the relative lengths of the first segment of the fore and mid tarsi showed a clear correlation with molecular data, which were interconnected with the presence of males leg modifications. In females, morphometric traits exhibited a less significant phylogenetic signal than in males, although, in most cases, the same traits evinced a high phylogenetic signal. StatementsWe (corresponding authors) certify that we have participated sufficiently in the conception and design of this work and the analysis of the data (wherever applicable), as well as the writing of the manuscript, to take public responsibility for it. We believe the manuscript represents valid work. We have reviewed the final version of the manuscript and approve it for publication. Neither has the manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship been published nor is being considered for publication elsewhere, except as described in an attachment. Furthermore, we attest that we will produce the data upon which the manuscript is based for examination by the editors or their assignees, if requested. The present paper has not been submitted to another journal. All co-authors are aware of the present submission. All co-authors agree to the publication. The work was funded by RFBR and NSFC according to the research project No 20-54-53005.

zoology↗