Comparative Morphology Study On The Prioninae Of China

Prioninae belongs to Cerambycidae of Cerambycoidea in Coleoptera, and some species from this subfamily are important insect pests in agriculture and forest, having important economic significance. This thesis introduces the economic significance and the research progresses in Prioninae, recent developments of hind-wing venations, productive organs and comparative morphology study. However, the research in Prioninae is insufficient, and some researchers declared different viewpoint in the classification system of Prioninae. Therefore, in the current research, comparative morphology study was carried out in Prioninae focusing on the external morphology, hind-wing venations, productive organs and the 8th sternum. Many characters were screen out in tribes, genera and species of Prioninae. The main results are following:1 Comparative study on the traditional external morphology of PrioninaeIn the current study,94 characters of traditional external morphology were chose to make the comparative research on 188 specimens of 47 species and subspecies of 14 genera in 5 tribes. Anomophysis ellioti (Waterhouse,1884) was recorded at the first time in China.68 characters of classification were also found through comparative research and some confused characters should be avoided in the further research. The pictures of 20 characters were presented.2 Comparative study on the hind-wing venations of Prioninae 21 characters of hind-wing venations were chose to make the comparative study on 75 specimens of 47 species and subspecies of 14 genera in 5 tribes. The results revealed that the characters of hind-wing venation can be used to distinguish the tribes of Prioninae, but it is not obvious in the genus and species. In addition,75 pictures were obtained in 5 tribes,14 genera,47 species and subspecies.3 Comparative study on the reproductive organs of PrioninaeIn our research,26 characters of male genitalia were chose to make the comparative research on 38 specimens of 36 species and subspecies of 11 genera in 5 tribes, while 20 characters of female genital organs were chose to make the comparative research on 22 specimens of 22 species and subspecies of 11 genera in 5 tribes. The results indicated that the characters have the taxonomic significance in tribe, genus and species. All pictures were also obtained.4 Comparative study on the 8th sternum of male of PrioninaeThe 8th sternum of Prioninae was first used in our comparative study. Six characters of the 8th sternum were chose to make the comparative study on 33 speciemens of 31 species and subspecies of 9 genera of 4 tribes. The results suggested that the characters of the 8th sternum showed difference in species, but they do not have the same characters of genus. The pictures of the 8th sternum were also obtained.5 The results of comparative morphology studyThe taxonomic characters were selected in species, genus and tribe through the whole research. The important characters that can be used to distinguish the tribes are both sides of front lateral plate of metathorax nearly parallel or stricture, the shape of antenna, the numbers of latadentis, the shape of Re, the length of the RP, the roof exist or not, the length of proctiger baculum, the shape and size of the coxite lobe, and so on.Many taxonomic characters were also found to be used in distinguishing genera. The main taxonomic characters as following:the numbers of segments of antenna, existing groove or not, the length of the tegmen, the density of the seta in lateral lobes of male genitalia, the size and the degree of sclerotization of the vaginal plate, having dorsal baculum or not in female genital organ, and so on.In addition, some characters can be used to distinguish species and subspecies, such as the shape of the last segment of labipalp and maxillary palp, the numbers of segment of antenna, existing hair on the elytron or not, the shape of the 3th tarsi, the top shape of the lateral lobes, the shape of the spermatheca, the shape of the bursa copulatrix, the size of the dorsal baculum, having proctiger baculum or not, the shape of the apex of the 8th sternum, and so on.Based on our research and the previous materials, an identification key to species and subspecies of Prioninae from China is presented. This thesis established the theoretical basis for intensive studv of Prioninae in China.