Perianal Structures in Non-Myrmecophilous Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: We studied perianal structures in 25 species of non-myrmecophilus aphids representing five subfamilies. In our research, we focused on the thoracic segment VIII, cauda, anal plate, and genital plate their microstructure and setae. We compared the results of measurements of these structures with the results of facultatively and obligatory myrmecophilous aphids. Our observations show that non-myrmecophilous and myrmecophilous aphids form two clusters, relatively well separated and following the two important morphological features: the length of the anal plate and the length of the cauda in relation to the length of the anal plate. It seems that myrmecophilous aphids may have long cauda, but it must be shorter than the height of the anal plate. However, the anal plate must be higher than its width. These studies confirmed the theory of differences in the structure of perianal structures in aphids depending on the relationship with ants and confirm the existence of the trophobiotic organ. ABSTRACT: Mutualistic relation with ants is one of the leading features of aphid ecology. For some aphid species, it is a crucial association enhancing their survival capability, while the life mode of some others is completely independent of ants. It was broadly accepted that during the evolution of aphids, the ones relying on ants developed special morphological adaptations for this mutualism, the so-called trophobiotic organ. Its exact structuring, however, posed some explanatory difficulties because many non-myrmecophilous aphids had structural modifications accordant with the trophobiotic organ, while some myrmecophilous did not. Here we present an evaluation of the morphology of perianal structures in 25 non-myrmecophilous aphid species with reference to previous, similar studies on myrmecophilous species based on scanning electron microscopy. We conclude that the trophobiotic organ is an existing adaptation, but its definition requires revision.