Extreme adaptations for aquatic ectoparasitism in a Jurassic fly larva

  1. Jun Chen
  2. Bo Wang  Is a corresponding author
  3. Michael S Engel
  4. Torsten Wappler
  5. Edmund A Jarzembowski
  6. Haichun Zhang
  7. Xiaoli Wang
  8. Xiaoting Zheng
  9. Jes Rust
  1. Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, China
  2. Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, Germany
  3. Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
  4. University of Kansas, United States
  5. Natural History Museum, United Kingdom
3 figures and 1 table

Figures

Qiyia jurassica from the Middle Jurassic epoch of Daohugou, China.

(A) Holotype STMN65-1. (B) Paratype STMN65-2 under alcohol (horizontal mirror image). (C) Head capsule of paratype STMN65-2. (D) Head and thorax of holotype STMN65-1. (E) Enlargement and reconstruction of the mandible of holotype STMN65-1; note the longitudinal groove. (F) Fifth proleg of holotype STMN65-1; note stiff, upward directed bristles which are distinctly longer than setae on body. (G) Last abdominal segment of holotype STMN65-1. ap, anal papilla; p, proleg; pr, process of ridge; tp, terminal process. (Scale bars: 5 mm in A, B, 1 mm in D, F, G, and 0.5 mm in C, E).

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02844.004
Qiyia jurassica from the Middle Jurassic epoch of Daohugou, China.

(A) Paratype NIGP156982 under alcohol. (B) Head and thorax of paratype NIGP156982; note the underlying thoracic sucker. (C) Terminal processes of paratype NIGP156982. (D) Reconstruction of sucker. The sucker consists of a circular suction disc with central opening and thin peripheral area. Six robust, radially arranged ridges are covered by soft skin with small spines. (E) Head and thorax of paratype NIGP156984; note the deformed mandible. ap, anal papilla; p, proleg; pr, process of ridge; tp, terminal process; tr, tentorial rod. (Scale bars: 5 mm in A, 1 mm in B, C, E).

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02844.005
Figure 3 with 1 supplement
Reconstruction of Qiyia jurassica in lateral view.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02844.006
Figure 3—figure supplement 1
Ecological restoration of Qiyia jurassica from the Middle Jurassic epoch of Daohugou, China.

One larva is shown attached to the salamander. Larvae could be located on unexposed body zones, such as on the axil or behind the gill, where there are many blood vessels and the skin is thinner.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02844.007

Tables

Table 1

Measurements of specimens of Qiyia jurassica

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02844.003
Holotype STMN65-1Paratype STMN65-2Paratype NIGP156982Paratype NIGP156983Paratype NIGP156984
Orientationlaterallateraldorsaldorsallateral
Body23.822.122.9∼2218.1
Head∼1∼1∼10.8
Thorax2.82.52.6∼2.52.3
Thoracic sucker diameter2.01.91.6
Ridge0.60.60.5
Abdominal segments 1–7 (average)∼2.3∼2.2∼2.3∼2.2∼1.9
Prolegs 1–6 (average)∼1.5∼1.5∼1.5∼1.5∼1.3
Seventh proleg4.03.83.0
First anal papilla6.16.0∼64.8
Second anal papilla3.73.2
Terminal process2.92.73.02.72.3
  1. All measurements are in mm and lengths except where otherwise indicated.

  2. ∼: approximately; –: unknown.

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  1. Jun Chen
  2. Bo Wang
  3. Michael S Engel
  4. Torsten Wappler
  5. Edmund A Jarzembowski
  6. Haichun Zhang
  7. Xiaoli Wang
  8. Xiaoting Zheng
  9. Jes Rust
(2014)
Extreme adaptations for aquatic ectoparasitism in a Jurassic fly larva
eLife 3:e02844.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02844