Nannomecoptera and Neomecoptera

Nannochoristidae (=Nannomecoptera) and Boreidae (=Neomecoptera) are traditionally assigned to the holometabolan Order Mecoptera. Both are presently in the focus of insect systematists. They differ strikingly from the "typical" mecopteran pattern, not only in their larval and adult morphology, but also in their life style and reproductive biology. Phylogenetic affinities between Boreidae ("snow fleas") and fleas were postulated mainly based on molecular data, and morphological characters related to food uptake and larval features suggest a close relationship between Nannochoristidae and true flies. Both groups display fascinating features such as preferred temperatures around 0°C, extremely slender larvae adapted to running water, and a highly unusual mating behaviour. Despite of the extremely low number of known species, there is no doubt that both groups are key taxa and in their own way highlights in the evolution of the extremely successful Holometabola. This and an impressive number of recent studies on various aspects of Nannochoristidae and Boreidae more than justifies a new volume in the series Handbook of Zoology dedicated to these highly unusual taxa.

The Handbook of Zoology provides an in-depth treatment of the entire animal kingdom covering both invertebrates and vertebrates. It publishes comprehensive overviews on animal systematics and morphology and covers extensively further aspects like physiology, behavior, ecology and applied zoological research.

Nannochoristidae (=Nannomecoptera) and Boreidae (=Neomecoptera) are traditionally assigned to the holometabolan Order Mecoptera. Both are presently in the focus of insect systematists. They differ strikingly from the "typical" mecopteran pattern, not only in their larval and adult morphology, but also in their life style and reproductive biology. Phylogenetic affinities between Boreidae ("snow fleas") and fleas were postulated mainly based on molecular data, and morphological characters related to food uptake and larval features suggest a close relationship between Nannochoristidae and true flies. Both groups display fascinating features such as preferred temperatures around 0°C, extremely slender larvae adapted to running water, and a highly unusual mating behaviour. Despite of the extremely low number of known species, there is no doubt that both groups are key taxa and in their own way highlights in the evolution of the extremely successful Holometabola. This and an impressive number of recent studies on various aspects of Nannochoristidae and Boreidae more than justifies a new volume in the series Handbook of Zoology dedicated to these highly unusual taxa.

1. Nannochorista, Nannochoristidae, Nannomecoptera
1.1. Taxonomy and Distribution (R.G. Beutel)
1.2. Biology (R.G. Beutel)
1.3. Morphology of adults
1.3.1. Head (R.G. Beutel & K. Schneeberg)
1.3.2. Thorax (F. Friedrich)
1.3.3. Pregenital abdomen (F. Friedrich & F. Hünefeld)
1.3.4. Male postabdomen (G. Mickoleit)
1.3.5. Female postabdomen (F. Hünefeld)
1.3.6. Ovarioles (B. Simiczyjew)
1.4. Eggs (R.G. Beutel)
1.5. Morphology of larvae (R.G. Beutel)
1.5.1. Head
1.5.2. Thorax
1.5.3. Abdomen
1.6. Morphology of pupae (R.G. Beutel)

2. Caurinus, Boreidae, Neomecoptera
2.1. Taxonomy and Distribution (R.G. Beutel, based on Russell 1979a)
2.2. Biology (R.G. Beutel, based on Russell 1979a)
2.3. Morphology of adults
2.3.1. Head (F. Friedrich & R.G. Beutel)
2.3.2. Thorax (F. Friedrich)
2.3.3. Pregenital abdomen (F. Hünefeld)
2.3.4. Male postabdomen (F. Hünefeld)
2.3.5. Female postabdomen (F. Hünefeld)
2.3.6. Ovarioles (B. Simiczyjew & R.G. Beutel)
2.3.7. Spermatophore and spermatozoa (R.G. Beutel, based on Russell 1979a)
2.4. Eggs (R.G. Beutel, based on Russell 1979a)
2.5. Morphology of larvae (R.G. Beutel, based on Russell 1979a, b)
2.5.3.1. Head
2.5.3.2. Thorax
2.5.3.3. Abdomen
2.6. Morphology of pupae (R.G. Beutel, based on Russell 1979a, b)

3. Boreus, Boreidae, Neomecoptera
3.1. Taxonomy and Distribution
3.2. Biology
3.3. Morphology of adults
3.3.1. Head (F. Friedrich & R.G. Beutel)
3.3.2. Thorax (F. Friedrich, partly based on Füller 1954, 1955)
3.3.3. Pregenital abdomen (F. Hünefeld)
3.3.4. Male postabdomen (G. Mickoleit)
3.3.5. Female postabdomen (F. Hünefeld)
3.3.6. Ovarioles (B. Simiczyjew)
3.3.7. Other organ systems (R.G. Beutel, based on Kaltenbach and other sources)
3.5. Spermatozoa (R. Dallai)
3.6. Eggs (R.G. Beutel)
3.7. Morphology of larvae (R.G. Beutel & H. Pohl)
3.7.1. Head
3.7.2. Thorax
3.7.3. Abdomen
3.8. Morphology of pupae (R.G. Beutel)
3.9. Development

4. Hesperoboreus
4.1. Taxonomy and Distribution (R.G. Beutel)
4.2. Biology (R.G. Beutel)
4.3. Morphology of adults
4.3.1. Head (F. Friedrich & R.G. Beutel)
4.3.2. Thorax (F. Friedrich)
4.3.3. Pregenital abdomen (F. Hünefeld)
4.3.4. Male postabdomen (G. Mickoleit)
43.3.5. Female postabdomen (F. Hünefeld)
4.3.6. Ovarioles
4.3.7. Spermatozoa
4.4. Eggs
4.5. Morphology of larvae (R.G. Beutel)
4.5.1. Head
4.5.2. Thorax
4.5.3. Abdomen
4.6. Morphology of pupae (R.G. Beutel)

5. Muscle tables (F. Friedrich, F. Hünefeld & R.G. Beutel)
6. Fossil record
7. Phylogeny (F. Friedrich & R.G. Beutel)
Subject index