| Ligia platycephala | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Superorder: | Peracarida |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Suborder: | Oniscidea |
| Family: | Ligiidae |
| Genus: | Ligia |
| Species: | L. platycephala |
| Binomial name | |
| Ligia platycephala (Van Name, 1925) | |
Ligia platycephala is a species of isopod from the genus Ligia . [1]
When seen from above, L. platycephala resembles L. exotica, in the soft, weakly articulated body and the posteriorly narrowing outline at the back tropics. [2] However, the abdomen is proportionally smaller in Ligia platycephala. Also, the L. platycephala is considerably smaller than L. exotica. In the original description, the properties of this species are described by comparing to L. exotica. [2]
It will suffice to mention the remaining differences between this species and L. exotica. If we may judge by the specimens available, it is considerably smaller; the largest one (a female with well-developed marsupial plates bearing a considerable number of rather large eggs or embryos) is a little less than 18 mm. long. The largest male is about 16.5 mm. long. The colors are brighter and more variegated, though due to similar minute irregularly stellate or branching blackish pigment spots on a yellowish ground color. They are however so distributed in the present species as to form a distinct, broad, blackish median stripe on both the thorax and abdomen, and on the thorax also a series of large, somewhat rectangular obliquely placed blackish spots at the junction of the epimeral portion of the segments with the main portion. These give the appearance of lateral longitudinal dark stripes when not too closely inspected; between these lateral and the median stripes there are on each side one or two small transverse dark markings on the rear edges of the thoracic segments. Elsewhere on the upper parts, as well as below and on the legs, the minute pigment spots are more thinly scattered and do not much obscure the strongly yellowish ground color. The body surface is very smooth, exhibiting no granulation or minute tuberculation on magnification. The head is much longer and is rather flattened, exhibiting in a dorsal view a strongly convex anterior border and a concave posterior border that is considerably set back into the thorax. The eyes are more elongate and much less bulging. The second antennae are shorter than in L. exotica. They are longer in the male specimens where they reach to or even a very little way along the abdomen when well drawn back, than in the females, where they can only reach the sixth or seventh thoracic segment. (The male specimens have 16 or 17 articles on the flagellum, the females 15 or 16, but the male has the peduncular part more elongated than the female). The thoracic segments differ from those of L. exotica in having the epimera smaller and completely fused with the main portion in both sexes. Their posterior corners are angular; the last three sharply so; the others a trifle rounded at the apex. The legs are long and well developed. No sexual differences were found in the structure of the first leg (fig. 70 would represent the first leg of either sex) which much resembles that of the female exotica. This species differs greatly from L. exotica in the peculiar outline of the rear end of the telson. It lacks the backwardly directed points at the lateral corners and on the median line; the former are merely bluntly angular, and at the median line there is a small notch between two small obtuse projections. The styloid appendages of the pleopoda of the male are very straight and slender and reach nearly to the end of the telson. Each process has a broad shallow groove along its ventral aspect. As the tip is approached the sides of the groove draw together, and curving toward the median side join to form a short obliquely projecting claw-like point (fig. 69). In the female the uropoda, inclusive of the inner branch, which is the longest, project beyond the telson a distance about equal to two-thirds the length of the body and head; this measurement is exclusive of a fairly long movable spine or bristle borne on the end of the inner branch. In the male the uropoda are proportionately a little longer than in the female.
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The species was originally described by W.G. van Name in 1925 by its basionym Ligyda platycephala. [3] It is part of the genus Ligia . The type specimen is located at the American Museum of Natural History [4]
The habitat of this species is deadwood in damp forest. [2]
The species' descriptions position it in Guyana. Specimens have been collected in the jungle of Kartabo. [2] More recent observations aggregated in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility suggest that the species can also be found in Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela [3]
Isopoda is an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice and their relatives. Isopods live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons, two pairs of antennae, seven pairs of jointed limbs on the thorax, and five pairs of branching appendages on the abdomen that are used in respiration. Females brood their young in a pouch under their thorax.
The large red damselfly is a species of damselflies belonging to the family Coenagrionidae. It is native to the western Palearctic.
Tarucus theophrastus, the common tiger blue, pointed Pierrot or African Pierrot, is a small butterfly found in the Old World tropics. It belongs to the lycaenids or blues family.
Curetis bulis, the bright sunbeam, is a species of butterfly belonging to the lycaenid family. It is found in Asia.
Eucrenonaspides oinotheke is a species of crustacean in the family Psammaspidae, endemic to Tasmania, the only species described in the genus Eucrenonaspides. The Eucrenonaspides is a variation of the Anaspidaceans. It was described from a spring at 9 Payton Place, Devonport, Tasmania in 1980, making it "the first spring-dwelling syncarid recorded from the Australian region". It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. A further undescribed species is known from south-western Tasmania.
Platycheirus granditarsus, the Hornhand Sedgesitter, is a species of hoverfly. It is found in many parts of Britain North America and Europe. Typical habitat includes marshy meadows and ditches, where it can be found between May and October, though it is at its commonest between July and September. The most distinctive feature of this fly is the red-orange abdomen most easily seen as it takes off or alights.
This glossary describes the terms used in formal descriptions of spiders; where applicable these terms are used in describing other arachnids.
Ligia exotica, also called sea roach or wharf roach, is a woodlouse-like isopod, a sea slater in the family Ligiidae. It is found in various parts of the world living on rocky coasts and harbour walls just above high water mark.
Platycheirus immarginatus, the Comb-legged Sedgesitter, is a common species of hoverfly. It is found in parts of northern Europe and northern North America.
Toxomerus geminatus (Say,1823) the Eastern Calligrapher, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern and central United States and Canada.(see map) Syrphid flies are also known as Hover Flies or Flower Flies because the adults are frequently found hovering around flowers from which they feed on nectar and pollen. Adults are 6.1–7.6 mm (0.24–0.30 in) long. The larvae are predators of a variety of aphids and mites.
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Lyriothemis acigastra or Little Bloodtail is a species of dragonfly in the family of Libellulidae known from India. The International Union for Conservation of Nature also cites very old collections in Burma, China and Tibet.
Palpada vinetorum is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. It is a native flower fly species to North America, mainly found in Texas and parts of the east coast.
Helophilus fasciatus, the narrow-headed marsh fly, is an abundant species of syrphid fly observed throughout the United States and Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae of this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and farmyard manure or silage. The adults of this species lays eggs on vegetation overhanging the water. The larvae hatch and drop into the water.
Helophilus lapponicus, the Yellow-margined Marsh Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly observed across northern North America, northern Europe, Greenland and Siberia. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Though common the larvae of this species are not known but the larvae of other species in this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and are a so called rat-tailed type.
Microdon tristis is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae.
Blera pictipes, the Painted Wood Fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Bigot in 1883. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
Blera scitula, the Western Wood Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston in 1882. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies, for they are commonly found around and on the flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae of Blera are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
'Blera metcalfi , Metcalf's wood fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Curran in 1925 Hoverflies get their name from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
Microdon ruficrus, the spiny-shield ant fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae have been found from the nests of Lasius americanus formerly Lasius alienus. GBIF external link to images
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