Structural features of eggs of the basal phasmatodean Timema monikensis Vickery & Sandoval, 1998 (Insecta: Phasmatodea: Timematidae)

Abstract

Structural features of the eggs of a basal phasmatodean, Timema monikensis Vickery & Sandoval, 1998 (Timematidae) were examined. The eggs of this species are soft and deposited coated with soil and/or other extraneous particles. The chorion, which is transparent and weakly sclerotized, is composed of an endochorion and an exochorion. The non-inclined operculum is located at the anterior pole of the egg. The chorion in the marginal region of the operculum is thinned to form an opercular collar together with the chorion of the egg body. An inverted triangular micropylar plate is on the ventral side of the egg attached to the opercular collar. The micropylar plate is without external differentiations but is specialized inside the chorion. A single micropyle, with a simple funnel-shaped chorionic opening, occurs on either side of the micropylar plate. The posterior mound, located at the posterior pole, is a thickened chorion rich in fi ne vertical striations, and the serosal cuticle beneath is thickened and highly specialized. The eggs of Timematidae were characterized and compared with those of Euphasmatodea and Embioptera. A phylogenetic discussion is presented, strongly supporting the assemblage of Timematodea, Euphasmatodea and Embioptera as monophyletic. © Museum für Tierkunde Dresden.