Preapical Ventrite Sculpture

Locating the ventrites

The abdomen is the posterior part of the body, visible between the legs and the end of the elytra. In Anoplognathus it is divided into 6 transverse segments, the ventrites. The preapical ventrite is the ventrite before the apical ventrite, separated from it by a smooth area which looks like a segment but is thickened intervening skin.

Figure 1. Ventral view of Anoplognathus Move cursor over image to locate character

Photo Figure 1 © Kindi Smith, Australian Museum

Form of sculpture

There are two states

1. without a continuous basal band of dense fine punctures; these punctures absent or confined to sides and always absent from the middle of the ventrite. Punctures usually with recumbent or erect setae. (Figures 2A(i) & (ii))

2. with a contunous band of dense fine punctures at base. These punctures with short recument setae (often abraded). (Figure 2B)

Figure 2. Ventral view of abdominal ventrites, Anoplognathus sp. Move cursor over small image to view larger image

scale bar equals 1mm
Photos Figure 2 © Kindi Smith, Australian Museum

Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Chris Reid & Kindi Smith