A case of viviparity in a tropical non-parasitizing earwig (Dermaptera Spongiphoridae)

Abstract

Hitherto studied species of non-parasitizing earwigs are oviparous and ovoviviparity has been found in only one species, Marava arachidis (Yersin 1860). Earwigs lay eggs and then exhibit maternal brood care. During the study of Dermaptera material collected in Papua New Guinea a female of Chaetospania borneensis (Dubrony 1879) (Spongiphoridae Sparattinae) was found with developing embryos in its abdomen, which documents its viviparity. The abdomen contained six embryos in different stages of development, and the most distal embryo was the fully developed nymph without any membraneous chorion. Specialised organs, such as vesicula cephalica and pseudoplacenta known in Arixeniidae and Hemimeridae, were not observed.