The controlling factors limiting maximum body size of insects

The purpose of this study is to consider the controlling factors limiting maximum body size of insects. For this analysis, we set up and quantitatively verify the following working hypothesis: insect body sizes can be explained only by the historical changes in the oxygen supply. The present study focuses on the body size of the Protodonata and Odonata. The amount of oxygen needed and that of oxygen entering the insect body was calculated using allometric equations. The theoretical maximum sizes at each geologic time were estimated from palaeo‐atmospheric oxygen partial pressure and compared with the maximum size of known fossilized insects. The historical change in fossilized insect sizes was much larger than that in theoretical sizes. Additionally, from the Jurassic, despite an increase in the partial pressure of oxygen, which would theoretically increase maximum size, the maximum size of fossilized insects became smaller. These findings are inconsistent with the expectations of the working hypothesis. Oxygen supply is likely to partially limit the maximum size of insects with additional factors.     

A unique sound production mechanism in the pipid anuran Xenopus borealis

The totally aquatic pipid frog Xenopus borealis produces long trains of click-like sound at high sound pressure levels (> 105 dB SPL) underwater at night. While X. borealis retains an essentially terrestrial respiratory tract, the larynx is highly modified in two ways. First, the cricoid cartilage is greatly expanded posteriorly to form a large 'box'. Portions of this cricoid box are composed of an unusual elastic cartilage. Second, portions of the arytenoid cartilages are elaborated into calcified rods with disc-like enlargements at their posterior ends. These discs are the only freely moveable components within the larynx–there are no vocal cords. Artificial stimulation of a pair of muscles controlling the discs and discrete lesions that impair their movement demonstrate that motion of the discs is both necessary and sufficient for click production. Unlike all other anurans, X borealis does not use a moving air column in sound production. A possible mechanism of click production involves two steps: (1) at first, the discs are held tighdy apposed in the midline by fluid adhesive forces, and contraction of bipennate muscles is isometric; (2) when the muscle tension exceeds the adhesive force, the discs separate with very high acceleration leaving a vacuum between them. Air rushing into the space at high speed (an implosion) produces the click. The cricoid box shapes the frequency spectrum of the clicks, and opening the box broadens the power spectrum. The power spectrum of clicks produced by males after breathing helium is unchanged.     

Low-frequency airborne vibrations generated by crickets during singing and aggression

When crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) produce their calling, courtship and rivalry songs, they generate, in addition to the audible stridulatory sound, low-frequency air oscillations associated with the inward and outward movements of the forewings. The frequencies of these oscillations are below ca 70 Hz, with a major component at 30 Hz, the syllable repetition rate. In the courtship song, single oscillations are also produced. Jerking movements of the whole body, which often occur in the presence of rivals, cause considerable air currents. In all these cases the air vibrations are sufficient to be perceived both by the individual generating them and by conspecifics (and perhaps by other insects) via air-flow receptors, in crickets the cercal filiform hairs.     

Scale effects and constraints for sound production in katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): correlated evolution between morphology and signal parameters

Male katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) produce mating calls by rubbing the wings together, using specialized structures in their forewings (stridulatory file, scraper and mirror). A large proportion of species (ca. 66%) reported in the literature produces ultrasonic signals as principal output. Relationships among body size, generator structures and the acoustic parameters carrier frequency (f_c) and pulse duration (p_d), were studied in 58 tropical species that use pure‐tone signals. A comparative analysis, based on the only available katydid phylogeny, shows how changes in sound generator form are related to changes in f_c and p_d. Anatomical changes of the sound generator that might have been selected via f_c and p_d are mirror size, file length and number of file teeth. Selection for structures of the stridulatory apparatus that enhance wing mechanics via file‐teeth and scraper morphology was crucial in the evolution of ultrasonic signals in the family Tettigoniidae.     

Problems of body-weight estimation in fossil primates

Body-weight estimates of fossil primates are commonly used to infer many important aspects of primate paleobiology, including diet, ecology, and relative encephalization. It is important to examine carefully the methodologies and problems associated with such estimates and the degree to which one can have confidence in them. New regression equations for predicting body weight in fossil primates are given which provide body-weight estimates for most nonhominid primate species in the fossil record. The consequences of using different subgroups (evolutionary “grades”) of primate species to estimate fossil-primate body weights are explored and the implications of these results for interpreting the primate fossil record are discussed. All species (fossil and extant) were separated into the following “grades”: prosimian grade, monkey grade, ape grade, anthropoid grade, and all-primates grade. Regression equations relating lower molar size to body weight for each of these grades were then calculated. In addition, a female-anthropoid grade regression was also calculated for predicting body weight infernales of extinct, sexually dimorphic anthropoid species. These equations were then used to generate the fossil-primate body weights. In many instances, the predicted fossil-primate body weights differ substantially from previous estimates.     

声音对植物生长、生理的影响及其机制研究进展

植物是否存在感知声音和相互交流的能力;一直被学界所关注。自20世纪60年代以来;学者利用多种技术手段;探索了植物对声音的响应以及相关信号的传递路径和机制。大量科学实验证实;声音被视为一种外部机械力;与其他机械刺激（如风、雨、触摸和振动）一样;其在调节植物生长和发育的同时;也激活了逆境应答过程中的标志性细胞防御机制事件;如清除活性氧（ROS）、初级代谢改变和激素信号等。这种防御机制在声音等外力刺激下;通过产生化合物或物质引起信号级联（涉及植物信号的转知和跨膜转化、植物胞间信号的传导、植物细胞的生理生化反应等主要转导过程）激活其行为的改变;对植物应对食草动物、害虫、病原体和环境变化起着重要作用。本文分析了1965—2022年间关于声音对植物影响及其机制的研究进展;梳理当前植物声学的研究方法;提出声学刺激植物的化感作用等新概念和观点;以期促进声学生态学、听觉力学和植物生理学等学科间的交叉研究。同时;文章进一步阐述声音在促进植物生长、产量、品质等方面的实施路径与应用前景;以期从“活态”声音中有效探索影响植物生命过程和途径;为未来声音植物工厂构建提供理论基础。     

木虱次目化石研究进展

截止目前,全世界古昆虫学者共发表30余篇关于世界木虱次目Psyllidomorpha昆虫化石的文章。共记载12科、64属、123种,分布于14个国家。本文统计了世界已记载的木虱次目的化石名录、地理分布及地质年代,初步总结世界木虱次目昆虫化石的组成特征,提出木虱次目化石研究中存在的问题,及对未来研究的展望。