Morphology Of Genitalia Research Articles

A taxonomic and morphological review of the genus Cania Walker, 1855 (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae)

Based on a complex study of morphology of adults, male and female genitalia, functional musculature of male genitalia, and molecular characters, three subgenera were distinguished in the genus Cania: the nominative one, Paracania Solovyev subgen. n. (type species Neaera bilinea Walker, 1855), and Minicania Solovyev subgen. n. (type species C. minuta Holloway, 1986). The genus Cania presently includes 21 species, two of which are described as new ones: C. (Paracania) lourensi Solovyev sp. n. (Philippines: Luzon, Negros, Panay) and C. (Minicania) kitchingi Solovyev sp. n. (Thailand). New synonymies are established: C. bilinea (Walker, 1855) = C. polyhelixa Wu et Fang, 2009 syn. n. and C. robusta Hering, 1931 = C. pseudobilinea Wu et Fang, 2009 syn. n.

Distal oviduct and genital chamber of eriophyoids (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea): refined terminology and remarks on CLSM technique for studying musculature of mites.

The general morphology of cuticle-lined internal genitalia and oviduct is analyzed in intact females of the phytophagous mites, Loboquintus subsquamatus and Trisetacus cf bagdasariani (Acari: Eriophyoidea) using tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate-phalloidin, three anaesthetics (magnesium sulphate, lidocaine and CO2-enriched water) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This is the first protocol adopted for CLSM studying musculature of mites. Revision of the previous terminology of eriophyoid internal genitalia from Nuzzaci and Alberti (Eriophyoid mites: their biology, natural enemies and control. World crop pests 6. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 101-150, 1996) resulted in the refinement of the terms "distal oviduct", "genital chamber" and "spermatheca". Relative position of the elements of cuticle-lined internal genitalia is discussed and a generalized 3D model and animation (available on-line as supplementary material) of eriophyoid genital apparatus are provided. The wall of eriophyoid oviduct contains strong longitudinal muscles attached to the cuticle genital chamber with folded walls. When the egg is being extruded by contraction of the oviduct muscles, it forms lobes corresponding to the internal topography of the oviduct and genital chamber; these lobes invaginate inward from the gonopore, resulting in the "flower-shaped" figures rarely observed in slide-mounted mites. Gnathosomal muscles (cheliceral muscles and extrinsic muscles of palps) and opisthosomal muscles D1 of Loboquintus mites are attached to the three posterior depressions near the rear prodorsal shield margin. Prospects of CLSM approach for studying different aspects of mite morphology are briefly discussed.

A revision of Apteromantis (Mantodea: Mantidae, Amelinae): a comprehensive approach to manage old taxonomic and conservation problems .

The genus Apteromantis Werner, 1931 comprises two species of wingless mantids, the Iberian A. aptera (Fuente, 1894) and the North African A. bolivari (Werner, 1929). Although A. aptera and A. bolivari have been traditionally considered as separate and valid species, their external appearance is quite similar and no comprehensive taxonomic study has analyzed their morphological and genetic characteristics. This taxonomic uncertainty has important implications for conservation because A. aptera is considered an Iberian endemic and the only praying mantis protected by international laws. In this study, we apply a comprehensive approach, including quantitative morphological and molecular analyses, to shed new light on the taxonomic and conservation status of the genus Apteromantis and the putative species. We have found that the Iberian and North African specimens analyzed herein significantly differ in female head shape, male genitalia morphology and several other traits related to body size. Molecular data suggest the presence of two main lineages, with sequence divergence rates of approximately 4 %, which are within the range reported for other well defined insect species. Overall, this study supports that A. aptera and A. bolivari are valid species despite their ecological and morphological similarity and highlights the importance of comprehensive approaches to resolve old taxonomic and conservation problems.

The phylogenetic position of Artematopodidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea), with description of the first two Eurypogon species from China

The Artematopodidae is a species-poor beetle family with contentious relationships to byrrhoid and elateroid families. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses brought ambiguous results based on a single sequenced species. We investigated the taxonomic placement of Artematopodidae within Elateriformia using ribosomal (18S, 28S) and mitochondrial (rrnL, cox1) molecular markers and three artematopodid species. Our analyses placed Artematopodidae close to Omethidae+Telegeusidae in a basal position of broadly defined Elateroidea. Additionally, we described the first artematopodid species from China – Eurypogon jaechi sp. nov. and E. heishuiensis sp. nov. These species are reported from mountains of Yunnan and can be easily distinguished from their Palaearctic congeners by their large bodies and metallic green elytra. They differ from each other by the shape of the pronotum, puncturation of the head and pronotum, the relative lengths of the antennomeres 3-5, and the morphology of the female genitalia. With respect to our findings, we discussed the phylogeny, diversity and distribution of the family Artematopodidae.

<p><strong>Systematic review of diplommatinid land snails (Caenogastropoda, Diplommatinidae) endemic to the Palau Islands. (1) Generic classification and revision of <em>Hungerfordia</em> </strong><br /><strong>species with highly developed axial ribs</strong></p>

Diplommatinidae is a family of terrestrial caenogastropod snails that shows extensive species diversity and endemic radiation within the Palau (Belau) Islands. In this paper, we revised the taxonomy of Palauan endemic diplommatinids based on the comparative morphology of shell, operculum, radula, and genitalia. Although the generic classification of Palauan diplommatinids has been confusing, they are currently classified into two genera, Hungerfordia Beddome, 1889 and Palaina Semper, 1865. Palauan diplommatinids of these two genera are primarily distinguished by the radular, genital and operculum morphology. However, shell morphology, on which taxonomy has traditionally been based, does not provide definitive characters for generic identification, because shell shape and sculpture are highly variable within each genus. Although Hungerfordia has long been known as a monotypic genus, the current study redefines the endemic genus to include a wider range of species that were formerly placed in Diplommatina or Palaina. Following species are transferred to Hungerfordia: H. alata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. lamellata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. pyramis (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. ringens (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. polymorpha (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. inflatula (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. lutea (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov.; H. aurea (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov.; H. gibboni (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov.; H. crassilabris (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov. Pseudopalaina Moellendorff in Kobelt & Moellendorff, 1898 (synonym nov.) is demoted as a junior synonym of Hungerfordia. Palaina is also redefined based on the internal shell features and operculum morphology, in addition to the external shell characters. Furthermore, Eupalaina Kobelt & Moellendorff, 1898 is restored as a subgenus of Palaina for Palauan species on the basis of a genital character. The taxonomy of Hungerfordia species with highly developed axial ribs is revised. H. pelewensis Beddome, 1889, H. lamellata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov., and H. alata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov. are redescribed with new morphological data. Following new taxa are described: H. triplochilus sp. nov., H. expansilabris sp. nov., H. nudicollum sp. nov., H. echinata echinata sp. et subsp. nov., H. echinata tubulispina subsp. nov., H. elegantissima sp. nov., H. goniobasis goniobasis sp. et subsp. nov., H. goniobasis dmasechensis subsp. nov., H. subalata sp. nov., H. pteropurpuroides sp. nov., H. papilio papilio sp. et subsp. nov., H. papilio stenoptera subsp. nov..

Systematic review of diplommatinid land snails (Caenogastropoda, Diplommatinidae) endemic to the Palau Islands. (1) Generic classification and revision of Hungerfordia species with highly developed axial ribs.

Diplommatinidae is a family of terrestrial caenogastropod snails that shows extensive species diversity and endemic radiation within the Palau (Belau) Islands. In this paper, we revised the taxonomy of Palauan endemic diplommatinids based on the comparative morphology of shell, operculum, radula, and genitalia. Although the generic classification of Palauan diplommatinids has been confusing, they are currently classified into two genera, Hungerfordia Beddome, 1889 and Palaina Semper, 1865. Palauan diplommatinids of these two genera are primarily distinguished by the radular, genital and operculum morphology. However, shell morphology, on which taxonomy has traditionally been based, does not provide definitive characters for generic identification, because shell shape and sculpture are highly variable within each genus. Although Hungerfordia has long been known as a monotypic genus, the current study redefines the endemic genus to include a wider range of species that were formerly placed in Diplommatina or Palaina. Following species are transferred to Hungerfordia: H. alata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. lamellata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. pyramis (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. ringens (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. polymorpha (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. inflatula (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov.; H. lutea (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov.; H. aurea (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov.; H. gibboni (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov.; H. crassilabris (Beddome, 1889) comb. nov. Pseudopalaina Moellendorff in Kobelt & Moellendorff, 1898 (synonym nov.) is demoted as a junior synonym of Hungerfordia. Palaina is also redefined based on the internal shell features and operculum morphology, in addition to the external shell characters. Furthermore, Eupalaina Kobelt & Moellendorff, 1898 is restored as a subgenus of Palaina for Palauan species on the basis of a genital character. The taxonomy of Hungerfordia species with highly developed axial ribs is revised. H. pelewensis Beddome, 1889, H. lamellata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov., and H. alata (Crosse, 1866) comb. nov. are redescribed with new morphological data. Following new taxa are described: H. triplochilus sp. nov., H. expansilabris sp. nov., H. nudicollum sp. nov., H. echinata echinata sp. et subsp. nov., H. echinata tubulispina subsp. nov., H. elegantissima sp. nov., H. goniobasis goniobasis sp. et subsp. nov., H. goniobasis dmasechensis subsp. nov., H. subalata sp. nov., H. pteropurpuroides sp. nov., H. papilio papilio sp. et subsp. nov., H. papilio stenoptera subsp. nov..

Una nueva especie del grupo Drosophila annulimana (Diptera, Drosophilidae) y un nuevo registro en las Provincias de Pichincha y Napo, Ecuador

En estudios realizados en el bosque nublado Intillacta, provincia de Pichincha, Ecuador, y en la Cordillera de los Guacamayos, provincia de Napo, Ecuador, se encontró una nueva especie de Drosophila. En base a estudios de la morfología de la genitalia masculina, se propone que, Drosophila intillacta sp. nov. pertenece al grupo Drosophila annulimana. Así mismo, se reporta Drosophila tarsata Schiner, 1868, capturada en la Cordillera de los Guacamayos, como un nuevo registro para el país.

Deceptive single‐locus taxonomy and phylogeography: Wolbachia‐associated divergence in mitochondrial DNA is not reflected in morphology and nuclear markers in a butterfly species

The satyrine butterfly Coenonympha tullia (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) displays a deep split between two mitochondrial clades, one restricted to northern Alberta, Canada, and the other found throughout Alberta and across North America. We confirm this deep divide and test hypotheses explaining its phylogeographic structure. Neither genitalia morphology nor nuclear gene sequence supports cryptic species as an explanation, instead indicating differences between nuclear and mitochondrial genome histories. Sex-biased dispersal is unlikely to cause such mito-nuclear differences; however, selective sweeps by reproductive parasites could have led to this conflict. About half of the tested samples were infected by Wolbachia bacteria. Using multilocus strain typing for three Wolbachia genes, we show that the divergent mitochondrial clades are associated with two different Wolbachia strains, supporting the hypothesis that the mito-nuclear differences resulted from selection on the mitochondrial genome due to selective sweeps by Wolbachia strains.

The structure and musculature of male terminalia in the tribe Xanthorhoini Pierce and related tribes (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae), with particular reference to the Palaearctic and Australian regions.

The musculature of the male genitalia was reviewed for the tribe Xanthorhoini and related tribes (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae). The genitalia morphology of males of 11 species was discussed and illustrated, and nine paired and unpaired genital muscles identified. Muscles m1, m2(10), m5(7), m6(5), m7(6), m8(3) and m21 have similar position in all species considered in the paper. Comparative morphology of the male terminalia and position of extensors of the valvae m3(2) and flexors m4 confirmed the previously uncertain separation of Euphyiini and Scotopterygini. Cataclysmini share musculature characters with the tribe Xanthorhoini. The generic affiliation of Xanthorhoe biriviata (Borkhausen) is questionable considering an unusual location of muscles m4. Generally, the places of attachment of the muscles m3(2) and m4 to the sclerites afford valuable characters for the higher classification of this group.

Taxonomy of the genus Udara (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in New Caledonia and the Wet Tropics of Australia, with a review of butterfly endemism in these regions

AbstractThe lycaenid genus Udara Toxopeus is recorded for the first time from New Caledonia where it is represented by the newly described species U. renevieri sp. nov. The species is figured, the male genitalia are illustrated, and the taxon is compared with U. cardia (C. Felder, 1860) (from Maluku through New Guinea to the Solomon Islands and Australia) to which it appears to be most closely related. The taxonomic status of U. cardia tenella syn. nov. and stat. nov. from the Wet Tropics biome of north‐east Australia is revised and treated as a subspecies of U. cardia based on comparative evidence of the morphology of the male genitalia and wing colour pattern elements. The holotypes of both Lycaena cardia C. Felder, 1860 and Lycaena tenella Miskin, 1891 are illustrated. Patterns of butterfly endemism in New Caledonia‐Loyalty Islands and the Wet Tropics are discussed in relation to the conservation importance of these biodiversity hot spots. Estimated levels of endemism are 21% for New Caledonia and 5% (17% if subspecies are included) for the rainforest component of the Wet Tropics.

Morphological and molecular marker contributions to disentangling the cryptic Hermeuptychia hermes species complex (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Euptychiina)

AbstractThe genus Hermeuptychia is common and widespread through the Americas, from Argentina to the southern United States of America. All eight recognized species within Hermeuptychia are small and brown, with very similar interspecific external morphologies and intraspecifically variable ocelli patterns that render taxonomic identification based on morphology difficult. In our study, we surveyed variability within Hermeuptychia, and evaluated species boundaries based on molecular data (sequences of the ‘barcode’ mitochondrial DNA COI gene) and morphology (mainly male genitalia), using a phylogenetic approach. We found eight DNA‐based and 12 morphological groups in our sampling. Species names were assigned based mainly on comparisons with male genitalia morphology descriptions corresponding to name‐bearing type specimens. Morphological and DNA variability were highly congruent, with the exception of group H, the Hermeuptychia cucullina complex. Also, the barcode region showed a clear threshold for intra‐ and interspecific mean distances around 2%. Based on these results, we circumscribe the species boundaries in the genus Hermeuptychia and discuss conflicts between mitochondrial genes and classic morphological approaches for identifying and delimiting species. Our study revealed cryptic diversity within an ubiquitous genus of Neotropical butterflies.

New species for Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae: Atalophlebiinae) and the first key to adults from Brazil.

Four new species of the mayfly genus Thraulodes Ulmer are described based on imagos from Northeastern and Southern Brazil: Thraulodes luizgonzagai sp. nov., Thraulodes sternimaculatus sp. nov., Thraulodes alapictus sp. nov., and Thraulodes pinhoi sp. nov. The new species can be easily differentiated by the abdominal color pattern and genitalia morphology. The first key to adults from Brazil is provided.

Phlebotomine sand flies from Madagascar (Diptera: Psychodidae). VIII — Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) vincenti n. sp.

A new species of Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) is described from Mikea Forest in the southwest of Madagascar: Phlebotomus vincenti n. sp. It is temporarily classified in the subgenus Anaphlebotomus according to its spermathecal organization, similar to those of P. berentiensis, P. fertei and P. vaomalalae, previously classified in the subgenus Anaphlebotomus referring to on male genitalia morphology. An original trumpet-like dilatation on the distal part of the spermathecal ducts individualizes P. vincenti n. sp. from the other Malagasy species. Moreover, the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences strongly individualises P. vincenti n. sp. from the other Malagasy Phlebotomus.

New Neotropical species of <i>Hygronemobius</i> Hebard, 1913 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Nemobiinae), including a brief discussion of male genitalia morphology and preliminary biogeographic considerations of the genus

Three new Neotropical species of Hygronemobius Hebard are described from Atlantic Forest remnants in southeastern Brazil: Hygronemnobius indaia sp. n. and Hygroneinobius iperoigae sp. n. from the state of São Paulo and Hygroneinobius guriri sp. n. from the state of Espírito Santo. We provide photographs of types and male genitalia, and discuss the morphology of male genitalia, taxonomy, calling songs and biogeographic distribution of the genus.

Sexual Differentiation in the Male and Female Mouse from Days 0 to 21: A Detailed and Novel Morphometric Description

We hypothesized that a significant portion of sexual differentiation of mouse external genitalia occurs postnatally. To establish a baseline of normal development to which genital abnormalities could be compared, we determined morphometric measurements and morphological descriptions of the postnatal period of sexual differentiation in mice from birth to 21 days postnatally. The external genitalia of male and female CD-1® mice were serially sectioned for histological staining. Mice were studied by age group, including ages 0 to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 10 and 21 days. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created to visually compare differences. Morphometric measurements were made of the distal mouse external genitalia and compared across age groups, and between males and females. The morphology of male and female mouse external genitalia is similar at 0 to 1 days but undergoes dramatic changes during 21 days. The changes include the development of mesenchymal extensions, which in males form the male urogenital mating protuberance and erectile bodies, as well as comparable structures in females. Differences in morphometric measurements in homologous males and females became pronounced during 0 to 21 days, serving as a baseline for recognizing the genesis of malformations of the mouse external genitalia. Male and female mouse external genitalia are similar morphologically and morphometrically at birth but achieve dramatic differences by age 21 days, suggesting that a significant portion of sexual differentiation in the mouse occurs after birth. We described these changes using novel, accurate morphometric measurements and 3-dimensional reconstruction. These results will be useful for studying abnormal sexual development of the mouse external genitalia.

A new species of the Callophrys mystaphia Miller, 1913—group from Iran (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini)

A new species, recently misinterpreted as Callophrys mystaphia Miller, 1913, Callophrys mystaphioides Krupitsky & Kolesnichenko sp. n., is described from Central Iran (Esfahan Province). The new species differs from C. mystaphia in the combination of external characters and morphology of genitalia. Possible relations of C. mystaphia--species group with other Palaearctic Callophrys are discussed.

Male terminalia of Ceraphronoidea: morphological diversity in an otherwise monotonous taxon

The skeletomuscular system of male terminalia in Evaniomorpha (Hymenoptera) is described and the functional morphology of male genitalia is discussed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy is the primary method used for illustrating anatomical phenotypes, and a domain-specific anatomy ontology is employed to more explicitly describe anatomical structures. A comprehensive data set of ceraphronoid male genitalia is analyzed, yielding the first phylogeny of the superfamily. One hundred and one taxa, including three outgroups, are scored for 48 characters. Ceraphronoidea are recovered as sister to the remaining Evaniomorpha in the implied weighting analyses. Numerous character states suggest that Ceraphronoidea is a relatively basal apocritan lineage. Ceraphronoidea, Ceraphronidae, and Megaspilinae are each retrieved as monophyletic in all analyses. Megaspilidae is not recovered as monophyletic. Lagynodinae is monophyletic in the implied weighting analyses with strong support and is a polytomy in the equal weighting analysis. Lagynodinae shares numerous plesiomorphies with both Megaspilinae and Ceraphronidae. Relationships among genera are weakly corroborated.Masneris sister of Ceraphronidae.Trassediais nested within Ceraphronidae based on the present analysis. Because of this and numerous features shared between it andCeraphronwe transferTrassediafrom Megaspilidae to Ceraphronidae.Dendrocerusforms a single monophyletic clade, with modest support, together with someConostigmusspecies. This result challenges the utility of such traditional diagnostic characters as ocellar arrangement and shape of the male flagellomeres.Aphanogmusis monophyletic in the implied weighting, but remains a polytomy withCeraphronin the equal weighting analysis.Gnathoceraphronis always nested within a well-supportedAphanogmusclade.CyoceraphronandElysoceraphronare nested withinCeraphronandAphanogmus, respectively. The male genitalia prove to be a substantial source of phylogenetically relevant information. Our results indicate that a reclassification of Ceraphronoidea both at the family and generic level is necessary but that more data are required.

Culex pipiens Sensu Lato in California: A Complex Within a Complex?

Culex pipiens sensu lato populations represent significant nuisance pests and vectors of West Nile virus in California. Despite multiple years of investigation, identifying, controlling and understanding the behaviors and associated "biologies" of the complex members still remain a challenge. Population structure cluster analysis using microsatellite markers revealed extensive population structuring, particularly in the central parts of the State, over and above what can be explained by the presence of Cx. pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus and their hybrids. Ace 2 gene sequencing provided evidence for the presence of Cx. p. molestus in multiple locations both above and below ground in California. Lack of congruence of male genitalia morphology (dorsal and ventral arms/dorsal arm of phalosome) and polymerase chain reaction diagnostic assay identifications coupled with considerable heterozygosity of pyrethroid resistance in time and space all suggest complex population structuring not adequately explained using current concepts.

Phylogeny and evolutionary patterns in the Dwarf crayfish subfamily (Decapoda: Cambarellinae).

The Dwarf crayfish or Cambarellinae, is a morphologically singular subfamily of decapod crustaceans that contains only one genus, Cambarellus. Its intriguing distribution, along the river basins of the Gulf Coast of United States (Gulf Group) and into Central México (Mexican Group), has until now lacked of satisfactory explanation. This study provides a comprehensive sampling of most of the extant species of Cambarellus and sheds light on its evolutionary history, systematics and biogeography. We tested the impact of Gulf Group versus Mexican Group geography on rates of cladogenesis using a maximum likelihood framework, testing different models of birth/extinction of lineages. We propose a comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for the subfamily based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci (3,833 bp) using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods. The phylogenetic structure found two phylogenetic groups associated to the two main geographic components (Gulf Group and Mexican Group) and is partially consistent with the historical structure of river basins. The previous hypothesis, which divided the genus into three subgenera based on genitalia morphology was only partially supported (P = 0.047), resulting in a paraphyletic subgenus Pandicambarus. We found at least two cases in which phylogenetic structure failed to recover monophyly of recognized species while detecting several cases of cryptic diversity, corresponding to lineages not assigned to any described species. Cladogenetic patterns in the entire subfamily are better explained by an allopatric model of speciation. Diversification analyses showed similar cladogenesis patterns between both groups and did not significantly differ from the constant rate models. While cladogenesis in the Gulf Group is coincident in time with changes in the sea levels, in the Mexican Group, cladogenesis is congruent with the formation of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Our results show how similar allopatric divergence in freshwater organisms can be promoted through diverse vicariant factors.

A review of the ecological grouping of species of the genus Phyllonorycter Hübner, [1822] (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae: Lithocolletinae), associated with fagaceae

A review of the species belonging to the genus Phyllonorycter Hubner, [1822] (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), which are trophically associated with fagacean plants, is given, being provided with a new determination key and short diagnoses for 20 species recorded for the fauna of Russia. A contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Phyllonorycter is made based on the comparative morphology of the male genitalia of 54 Palaearctic species developing on Fagaceae, with 13 new taxonomic groups established within this ecological unit. Lectotype of Phyllonorycter suberifoliella (Zeller, 1850) is designated.