Mecoptera (Kristensen, 1975)

R. G. Beutel & S. N. Gorb, 2001, Ultrastructure of attachment specializations of hexapods (Arthropoda): evolutionary patterns inferred from a revised ordinal phylogeny, J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Research 39, pp. 177-207 : 182

33 Mecoptera

An arolium is absent in boreids and notiothaumids ( Mickoleit 1971), but present in other mecopterans ( Fig. 6D ; Byers 1991). Other specific adhesive structures are lacking. Paired claws are present in members of all groups with the exception of Bittacidae which posses single­clawed raptorial tarsi.

Figures

Fig. 6. Details of hexapod tarsi and pretarsi. (A, B) Urocerus gigas (Hymenoptera), hindleg, tarsus, lateral aspect. (C) Abia seriacea (Hymenoptera), hindleg, ventro­lateral aspect of the single attachment thorn. (D) Panorpa communis (Mecoptera), midleg, pretarsus, ventrolateral aspect. (E) Tipula sp. (Diptera), midleg, pretarsus, ventro­lateral aspect. (F) Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera), midleg, tarsus, ventral aspect. AR, arolium; ARC, arculus; HS, hairy soles; PLN, planta; TAR, tarsal segments; TH, specialized tarsal adhesive thorns; UN, claw; UT, unguitractor plate