Prof

Yukimasa Kobayashi

e-mail

kobayashi-yukimasa@c.metro-u.ac.jp

Ast Prof

Akira Shimizu

e-mail

shimizu-akira@c.metro-u.ac.jp

Comparative embryology and phylogeny of Lepidoptera

The order Lepidoptera, or moths and butterflies, is a huge insect taxon composed of more than 150,000 species in the world. In the past three decades, it has become evident from our study that the mode of embryogenesis sharply differs among major lepidopteran lineages such as the Micropterigoidea, Eriocranioidea, Exoporia, and Ditrysia. These embryological data are now expected to provide a significant means for tracing the phylogenetic relationships among major lineages. One of the final goals of our study is the comparative embryological reconstruction of Lepidoptera. We are now interested in extending our work to some mandibulate lepidopterans such as Agathiphagoidea and Heterbathmioidea, of which embryogenesis remains unknown. In collaboration with some foreign researchers, we are also investigating the phylogeny of the Micropterigidae which is the most primitive taxon in Lepidoptera and is distributed widely in the major continents and islands of the world.

Systematics of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera)

Spider-hunting wasps of the family Pompilidae are almost worldwide in distribution. Nearly 4,200 species have been described, and about 150 species occur in Japan. These wasps usually lead unspectacular lives, the female attacking spiders, paralyzing them by stinging, and placing them in simple nests dug in the soil. They lay an egg on the spider and the larva develops without contact with the mother. Some spider wasps, however, do not construct nests and behave as cleptoparasites of other pompilids or parasitoids of spiders. A few species may exhibit primitively social behavior, i.e. several females nest together without obvious cooperation. We are investigating the natural history, classification, phylogenetic relationships, and behavioral evolution of this family.

Recent Publications

1. Kobayashi, Y. (2008) Relationships among endopterygotan orders: A comparative embryological approach. Proceedings of the Arthropodan Embryological Society of Japan 43: (in press).
2. Niitsu, S. & Kobayashi, Y. (2008) The developmental process during metamorphosis that results in wing reduction in females of three species of wingless-legged moths, Taleporia thrichopterella, Bacotia sakabei and Proutia sp. (Lepidoptera: Psychidae). European Journal of Entomology (in press).
3. Shimizu, A. �• Wahis, R. (2007) Systematic studies on the Pompilidae occurring in Japan: Genus Irenangelus Schulz (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Ceropalinae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 16: 311–325.
4. Kobayashi, Y. (2006) Character phylogeny in lepidopteran embryogenesis: Its revaluation and issues to be resolved. Proceedings of Arthropodan Embryological Society of Japan, 41: 1-9.
5. Kobayashi, Y., Watanabe, T. & Suzuki, H. (2006) Embryonic development of the firefly Pyrocoelia rufa Olivier (Insecta: Coleoptera, Lampyridae) with special reference to its hibernal diapause. Proceedings of Arthropodan Embryological Society of Japan, 41: 47-53.
6. Shimizu, A. (2006) Two new species of Dipogon (Deuteragenia) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Subtropical islands of Japan. Species Diversity, 11: 347-358.
7. Shimizu, A. & Wahis, R. (2005) A new genus and species of Japanese Pompilinae (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 14: 111-116.
8. Shimizu, A. (2004) Natural history and behavior of a Japanese parasocial spider wasp, Machaerothrix tsushimensis (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 77: 383-401.
9. Shimizu, A & Wahis, R. (2004) Systematic study of the genus Cyphononyx (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) occurring in Japan. Entomological Science, 7: 171-181.
10. Kobayashi, Y., Suzuki, H. & Ohba, N. (2003) Development of the pleuropodia in the embryo of the glowworm Rhagophthalmus ohbai Wittmer (Rhagophthalmidae, Coleoptera, Insecta) with comments on their probable function. Proceedings of Arthropodan Embryological Society of Japan, 38: 19-26.
11. Kobayashi, Y., Tanaka, M. & Ando, H. (2003) Embryology. In: Kristensen, N. P. (ed.), Handbuch der Zoologie, IV/35, Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies, Volume 2, Morphology, Physiology, and Development, Chapter 19. pp. 495-544, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
12. Shimizu, A & Ishikawa, R. (2003) Taxonomic studies on the Pompilidae occurring in Japan north of the Ryukyus: Genus Dipogon, subgenus Deuteragenia (Hymenoptera) (Part 3). Entomological Science, 6: 165-181.
13. Kobayashi, Y., Suzuki, H. & Ohba, N. (2002) Embryogenesis of the glowworm Rhagophthalmus ohbai Wittmer (Insecta: Coleoptera, Rhagophthalmidae), with emphasis on the germ rudiment formation. Journal of Morphology, 253: 1-9.
14. Shimizu, A & Ishikawa, R. (2002) Taxonomic studies on the Pompilidae occurring in Japan north of the Ryukyus: Genus Dipogon, subgenus Deuteragenia (Hymenoptera) (Part 1). Entomological Science, 5: 219-235.
15. Shimizu, A & Ishikawa, R. (2002) Taxonomic studies on the Pompilidae occurring in Japan north of the Ryukyus: Genus Dipogon, subgenus Deuteragenia (Hymenoptera) (Part 2). Entomological Science, 5: 361-373.
16. Kobayashi, Y., Suzuki, H. & Ohba, N. (2001) Formation of a spherical germ rudiment in the glow-worm, Rhagophthalmus ohbai Wittmer (Coleoptera: Rhagophthalmidae), and its phylogenetic implications. Proceedings of Arthropodan Embryological Society of Japan, 36: 1-5.