Morphology Of Genitalia Research Articles

Insights on vulval morphology in Ochyroceratinae with a rediagnosis of the subfamily and description of the first Argentinean species (Araneae: Synspermiata: Ochyroceratidae)

We examine the internal morphology of the female genitalia of representatives of the three subfamilies of the spider family Ochyroceratidae (Ochyroceratinae, Psilodercinae and Theotiminae) by means of scanning electron microscope. Ochyroceratines have the uterus externus constricted into a narrow neck at its connection with the uterus internus, which, after comparison with other spider families, is proposed as a synapomorphy of the subfamily. We describe Ochyrocera diablo sp. nov. from Misiones province in northeastern Argentina. The measurements of their eggs and uterus externus indicate that the eggs must squeeze through a small duct 40 times smaller in diameter. We also propose that another synapomorphy for Ochyroceratinae is the insertion of the male palpal copulatory organ in a projecting pedestal at the base of the cymbium, and update the differential diagnosis of the subfamily. Finally, we recognize that Psilodercinae Deeleman-Reinhold, 1995 is a junior objective synonym and homonym of Psilodercinae Machado, 1951.

Comparative morphology of the type-species of Isotes and Synbrotica(Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae), with a new synonymy of species

ABSTRACT In order to solve the affinities of the species of Isotes Weise, 1922, a detailed morphological comparative study was carried out based on type-species of Isotes and its junior synonym,Synbrotica Bechyné, 1956. Isotes tetraspilota (Baly, 1865) and Isotes borrei (Baly, 1889) had their morphology of mouthparts, endosternites, wings and both male and female genitalia compared by the first time. A new synonymy is established between Isotes borrei (Baly, 1889) and Isotes crucigera (Weise, 1916) syn. nov. based on external and genitalia morphology. New structures for Section Diabroticites Chapuis, 1875 are presented and discussed.

A Major Locus Controls a Genital Shape Difference Involved in Reproductive Isolation Between Drosophila yakuba and Drosophila santomea.

Rapid evolution of genitalia shape, a widespread phenomenon in animals with internal fertilization, offers the opportunity to dissect the genetic architecture of morphological evolution linked to sexual selection and speciation. Most quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies of genitalia divergence have focused on Drosophila melanogaster and its three most closely related species, D. simulans, D. mauritiana, and D. sechellia, and have suggested that the genetic basis of genitalia evolution involves many loci. We report the first genetic study of male genitalia evolution between D. yakuba and D. santomea, two species of the D. melanogaster species subgroup. We focus on male ventral branches, which harm females during interspecific copulation. Using landmark-based geometric morphometrics, we characterized shape variation in parental species, F1 hybrids, and backcross progeny and show that the main axis of shape variation within the backcross population matches the interspecific variation between parental species. For genotyping, we developed a new molecular method to perform multiplexed shotgun genotyping (MSG), which allowed us to prepare genomic DNA libraries from 365 backcross individuals in a few days using little DNA. We detected only three QTL, one of which spans 2.7 Mb and exhibits a highly significant effect on shape variation that can be linked to the harmfulness of the ventral branches. We conclude that the genetic architecture of genitalia morphology divergence may not always be as complex as suggested by previous studies.

The tribe Bryocorini (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae): phylogeny, description of a new genus, and adaptive radiation on ferns

A cladistic analysis of the tribe Bryocorini based on 68 morphological characters is conducted. Bryocorini are supported as a monophyletic group with Eccritotarsini as their sister taxon. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, we redefine the tribe Bryocorini to contain the following seven genera: BryocorellaCarvalho, 1956, BryocorisFallén, 1829, BryophilocapsusYasunaga, 2000, CobalorrhynchusReuter, 1906 gen. dist., Diplazicoris gen. nov., HekistaKirkaldy, 1902, and MonalocorisDahlbom, 1851. The genus Bryocorella is transferred to Bryocorini from the tribe Eccritotarsini. The subgenus Cobalorrhynchus is treated as a separate genus. Diplazicoris is described as monotypic to accommodate Diplazicoris lombokianus sp. nov An updated diagnosis of the tribe, a key to genera, and a diagnosis of each recognized genus are presented. Selected photomicrographs, scanning micrographs, and illustrations of the pretarsus, metepisternal scent efferent system, metafemoral trichobothria, and morphology of head, pronotum, and male and female genitalia are provided. Mapping of the host data on the revealed tree shows that Bryocorini represent one of the very few currently known examples of the adaptive radiation of a fairly large insect group on ferns.

The Functional Significance of Chiral Genitalia: Patterns of Asymmetry, Functional Morphology and Mating Success in the Praying Mantis Ciulfina baldersoni.

Genital asymmetry is relatively common and widespread throughout the animal kingdom. The functional significance of genital asymmetry is however, poorly understood for most species. Male praying mantids of the genus Ciulfina are remarkable in possessing complex and directionally asymmetric genital phallomeres in some species, and chirally dimorphic/antisymmetric genitalia in others. Here we explore the chiral dimorphism in male genitalia of Ciulfina baldersoni which appear to exhibit genital antisymmetry. We test whether genital orientation influences mating success, copulation duration and the attachment duration of spermatophores. Additionally we investigate genital interactions between male and females using x-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lastly we assess whether genital asymmetry is associated with non-genital morphological asymmetry of a range of traits. Our results highlight the complex functional morphology of genitalia in this praying mantis species and yet demonstrate no functional difference between dextral and sinistral morphs other than the direction of attachment with both morphs enjoying equal levels of mating success. Chiral morphs also did not strongly associate with any other forms of asymmetry. We therefore conclude that genital chirality in Ciulfina baldersoni is a likely case of antisymmetry with no functional significance to genital orientation, and is likely to be selectively neutral.

Uncovering the hidden diversity of the Neotropical butterfly genus Yphthimoides Forster (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae): description of three new species based on morphological and molecular data

Three new species belonging to the butterflies satyrine subtribe Euptychiina are described: (1) Yphthimoides gabriela n. sp. occurring in low to medium altitudes in the coastal forests between the states of Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, (2) Yphthimoides bella n. sp., from Brazilian Cerrado savannas, known from only two localities in the State of Goias, and (3) Yphthimoides iserhardi n. sp., occurring in high altitudes in the rocky outcrops of Chapada Diamantina, in the interior of the Bahia state. Descriptions are based on wing shape, wing pattern, and morphology of male genitalia. Furthermore, molecular data from the “DNA barcode” (Cytochrome C Oxidase I, ca. 658 bp) was obtained and used to validate the three new species. Additionally, information about geographic distribution and habitat for the three new species is provided, and the systematic position of each of the three species is discussed based on a molecular analysis using another 11 additional species of Yphthimoides.

No evidence for external genital morphology affecting cryptic female choice and reproductive isolation in Drosophila.

Genitalia are one of the most rapidly diverging morphological features in animals. The evolution of genital morphology is proposed to be driven by sexual selection via cryptic female choice, whereby a female selectively uptakes and uses a particular male's sperm on the basis of male genital morphology. The resulting shifts in genital morphology within a species can lead to divergence in genitalia between species, and consequently to reproductive isolation and speciation. Although this conceptual framework is supported by correlative data, there is little direct empirical evidence. Here, we used a microdissection laser to alter the morphology of the external male genitalia in Drosophila, a widely used genetic model for both genital shape and cryptic female choice. We evaluate the effect of precision alterations to lobe morphology on both interspecific and intraspecific mating, and demonstrate experimentally that the male genital lobes do not affect copulation duration or cryptic female choice, contrary to long-standing assumptions regarding the role of the lobes in this model system. Rather, we demonstrate that the lobes are essential for copulation to occur. Moreover, slight alterations to the lobes significantly reduced copulatory success only in competitive environments, identifying precopulatory sexual selection as a potential contributing force behind genital diversification.

Experimental reduction of intromittent organ length reduces male reproductive success in a bug.

It is now clear in many species that male and female genital evolution has been shaped by sexual selection. However, it has historically been difficult to confirm correlations between morphology and fitness, as genital traits are complex and manipulation tends to impair function significantly. In this study, we investigate the functional morphology of the elongate male intromittent organ (or processus) of the seed bug Lygaeus simulans, in two ways. We first use micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and flash-freezing to reconstruct in high resolution the interaction between the male intromittent organ and the female internal reproductive anatomy during mating. We successfully trace the path of the male processus inside the female reproductive tract. We then confirm that male processus length influences sperm transfer by experimental ablation and show that males with shortened processi have significantly reduced post-copulatory reproductive success. Importantly, male insemination function is not affected by this manipulation per se. We thus present rare, direct experimental evidence that an internal genital trait functions to increase reproductive success and show that, with appropriate staining, micro-CT is an excellent tool for investigating the functional morphology of insect genitalia during copulation.

A revision of Neodiplothele (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Barychelidae)

The Neotropical Sasoninae Neodiplothele Mello-Leitao, 1917 is revised and now includes eight species. Neodiplothele can be distinguished from other Sasoninae by the absence of the posterior median spinnerets and differs Neotropical relatives as Cosmopelma by the absence of cuspules on coxae of leg I and Paracenobiopelma by the absence of cuspules on the labium. The male of N. irregularis Mello-Leitao, 1917 and N. picta Vellard, 1924 are described and illustrated for the first time. Neodiplothele leonardosi Mello-Leitao, 1939 is considered a junior synonym of N. irregularis. Five new species are described from Brazil: N. aureus sp. nov. from the states of Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba, and Minas Gerais, N. itabaiana sp. nov. from Sergipe, N. martinsi sp. nov. from Bahia, Espirito Santo, and Minas Gerais, N. indicattii sp. nov. from Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, N. caucaia sp. nov. from Ceara, Goias, and Mato Grosso do Sul. Two informal groups are proposed based on genitalia morphology: irregularis group and picta group. An identification key and new distribution records for all known species are given.

Pizacris: a new genus and two new species of Luzarinae cricket close to Guabamima de Mello, 1992 and Mellopsis Mews & Sperber, 2010 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Luzarinae).

Here we describe a new genus and two new species of Luzarinae crickets (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro States (Brazil). We describe Pizacris Souza-Dias & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., transfer the species Mellopsis zefai Mews & Sperber, 2010 to P. zefai (Mews & Sperber, 2010) n. comb., redescribe this species based in topotypes and, since the type series is lost, designate a neotype. We also describe the second species of this genus, P. carioca Desutter-Grandcolas & Souza-Dias n. gen., n. sp. The new genus is characterized by the dark brown uniform coloration with strikingly white joints 4 and 5 of maxillary palpi, reduced FWs, without stridulatory file and, mainly, the absence of the pseudepiphallic arms in male phallic complex. We provide a brief discussion about the morphology of male genitalia in Pizacris Souza-Dias & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen. and related genera, Guabamima de Mello, 1992 and Mellopsis Mews & Sperber, 2010. We also provide an identification key for these genera and notes about the reproductive behavior of P. zefai (Mews & Sperber, 2010) n. comb.

Molecular phylogeny of Metanoeina net-winged beetles identifies Ochinoeus, a new genus from China and Laos (Coleoptera: Lycidae).

The molecular hypothesis on relationships of Metanoeina lineages is presented and results are compared with morphology. A new genus Ochinoeus is proposed for four East Palearctic and Oriental species. Ochinoeus is recovered as a sister lineage to Matsudanoeus Sklenarova et al., 2014 and differs from related genera in morphology of genitalia and incomplete secondary elytral costae. We show, that the structure of elytral costae, although highly homoplastic across Metriorrhynchini, can be used for identification of Ochinoeus. The geographic distribution of Metanoeina is limited to the eastern parts of the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. The reconstruction of ancestral ranges identifies continental Eastern Asia as the centre of generic diversity of Metanoeina and suggests the dispersal from continental Asia to the southern part of the Oriental region, i.e. to the Sundaland and Philippines. Among Metanoeina lineages, only Metanoeus Waterhouse, 1878 contains higher number of species. The following four species are described: Ochinoeus huaphanensis sp. nov., O. hainanensis sp. nov., O. habashanensis sp. nov., and O. xunyanbaensis sp. nov..

Trichogrammatid egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) of rice leaf folder and cabbage caterpillars in Sri Lanka

Use of egg parasitoids is an effective option available for managing lepidopteran pest species through augmentation and release of the parasitoids, particularly the locally available species. As the local egg parasitoids in Sri Lanka are poorly studied, an investigation was conducted to identify the egg parasitoids associated with rice leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee) and cabbage semilooper (Trichoplusia ni Hubner). The host eggs were collected in different geographical locations for different durations in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) fields. The eggs were incubated until the emergence of host larvae or the adult parasitoid. Emerged parasitoids were preserved in 70% ethanol and subsequently dissected for male genitalia and the permanent slides were prepared using Canada balsam as the mounting media. Identification of specimens was done using taxonomic keys and related literature. Identities were confirmed by the Natural History Museum, London. Two species namely, Trichogramma chilonis Ishhi and T. achaeae Nagaraja and Nagarkatti were found parasitizing T. ni at Dodangolla and Thalatuoya regions in Sri Lanka. The record of T. achaeae is the first country report and T. chilonis had been recorded previously in Sri Lanka. The morphology of male genitalia was described and compared with the original description. Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja and T. nana Zehnter were found parasitizing C. medinalis eggs at six sampling sites. The male genitalia of these two species were characterized and compared with the original descriptions.

A new species of Laemostenus Bonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Els Ports Natural Park (Catalonia, northeastern Iberian peninsula)

Laemostenus (Antisphodrus) portsensis n. sp. is described from five caves at Els Ports Natural Park. The new taxon can be distinguished from its geographical neighbours, L. (A.) levantinus (Bolívar, 1919) and L. (A.) lassallei Mateu, 1989, by the shape of its head and pronotum, and particularly by the morphology of the male genitalia. The study includes some remarks about the habitat and ecology of the new species.

New Genera and Species of Plokiophilidae from Australia, Fiji, and Southeast Asia, with a Revised Classification of the Family (Insecta: Heteroptera: Cimicoidea)

ABSTRACT Monteithophila queenslandana, new genus and new species, is described from Queensland, Australia, and represents the first record of the family Plokiophilidae from the continent. Morphology of the male genitalia is similar to that found in Heissophila Schuh from Thailand and therefore the traumatic insemination as found in other members of the family is hypothesized to be absent in Monteithophila. The female of an apparently congeneric taxon from Fiji is described as Monteithophila fijiensis. Paraplokiophiloides schwendingeri, new genus and new species, is described from Thailand. Female genitalic morphology in the Plokiophilidae is documented with laser confocal microscopy. A revised classification of the Plokiophilidae is proposed in order to establish congruence between observed morphological characters and the recognized higher-taxonomic groupings. The new subfamily Heissophilinae is erected to include Heissophila, Moneithophila, and the Baltic amber fossil Pavlostysia Popov. The concept of P...

A novel symbiotic relationship between sociable weaver birds (Philetairus socius) and a new cheliferid pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpiones : Cheliferidae) in southern Africa

Birds harbour a wide array of other taxa in their nests or in their plumage, which either have an ectoparasitic or commensal relationship with the host. We report on the discovery of a cheliferid pseudoscorpion found in the plumage and nests of the sociable weaver bird (Philetairus socius) in southern Africa. The nests of these communal birds are the largest of any bird, and may contain up to 500 individuals. The pseudoscorpion is likely to have a mutualistic relationship with the birds, most likely preying on other small invertebrates in the nests. Molecular data derived from two populations of the pseudoscorpion found divergence levels of 1.1% in cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1), and an analysis of CO1 and two rRNA genes (18S and 28S) found a close relationship with Chelifer and Parachelifer in the tribe Cheliferini, which is supported by the morphology of the male genitalia. The molecular analysis also suggests that Beierius may not belong to the Cheliferini. The pseudoscorpion found in association with the sociable weaver represents a new genus and species, Sociochelifer metoecus Harvey, sp. nov.

Strong sexual dimorphism unraveled by DNA analysis - towards a better understanding ofPseudothyretesclassification (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)

Pseudothyretes Dufrane, 1945 is one of the least known genera of the subtribe Thyretina. The association of the sexes is not known for any of the seven species in the genus because of the very strong sexual dimorphism and the lack of appropriate data. With the help of molecular data we elucidate the previously unknown females of two species [Pseudothyretes kamitugensis (Dufrane, 1945) and Pseudothyretes perpusilla (Walker, 1856)]. The same procedure revealed the synonymy of Pseudothyretes carnea (Hampson, 1898) and Pseudothyretes rubicundula (Strand, 1912) syn. nov., treated previously as two separate taxa described from the opposite sexes. The morphological analysis of almost 750 specimens yielded the discovery of two new species (Pseudothyretes mirus Przybylowicz sp. nov. and Pseudothyretes obscurus Przybylowicz sp. nov.), for which we give detailed descriptions, including morphological characters of both sexes. We provide for the first time a dichotomous key for the identification of males based on habitus and genitalia. A molecular analysis of 61 samples representing seven species allows a preliminary recognition of molecular variation. The paper also includes a historical background of the genus, distributional analysis of the species, and an extensive discussion of the identity of the female holotype of Pseudothyretes carnea (Hampson, 1898). Female genitalia and labial palpus morphology are illustrated for the first time in this genus. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London

Морфология гениталий жуков-стафилинид подтрибы Staphylinina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) и ее значение для системы этого таксона

Морфология гениталий жуков-стафилинид подтрибы Staphylinina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) и ее значение для системы этого таксона

Revised species definitions and nomenclature of the rose colored Cithaerias butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).

This study provides updated species definitions for five rose-colored Cithaerias butterflies, starting with a historical overview of their taxonomy. Given their mostly transparent wings, genitalia morphology yielded the most reliable characters for species definition and identification. Genitalic divergence is more pronounced when multiple species occur in sympatry than between parapatric taxa. Cithaerias aurorina is granted full species status, C. cliftoni is reinstated as a full species, and one new combination is proposed, i.e. C. aurora tambopata. Two new synonyms are proposed, Callitaera phantoma and Callitaera aura = Cithaerias aurora.

A new genus and two new species of Luzarinae cricket from the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil (Orthoptera, Grylloidea).

A new genus and two new species of Luzarinae crickets (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) are described from the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil. Marcgraviella muriciensis Souza-Dias n. gen., n. sp. and M. christianae Desutter-Grandcolas & Souza-Dias n. gen., n. sp. are described using characters of morphology and male genitalia. The new genus is characterized by male genitalia singularities, presenting elongated and inflatable pseudepiphallic parameres, which lies in vertical or almost vertical position, and long and tubular pseudepiphallic arms associated to phallic glands. We provide a discussion about the morphology of male genitalia and the function of the phallic glands and pseudepiphallic arms in Marcgraviella n. gen. and related taxa. An identification key for Marcgraviella n. gen. and related genera is proposed. These genera, which bear phallic glands, are placed in the newly named group, the Aracambiae.

Remarkable morphological features of taxonomic interest in the female genitalia of five Erythrogonia species (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cicadellidae).

The female genitalia of the Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) are usually considered more morphologically conservative (i.e., less variable) than the male genitalia at the generic and specific levels. However, various recent publications on the Cicadellinae (sharpshooters) have demonstrated the existence of useful characters in the female genitalia for the recognition of genera and species. Here we describe, illustrate, compare, and discuss peculiar processes, sclerites, and other features of the first pair of valvifers, sternite VIII, and ovipositor valvulae I and II of five species of the sharpshooter genus Erythrogonia (E. calva (Taschenberg, 1884), E. hertha Medler, 1963, E. phoenicea (Signoret, 1853), E. proterva Melichar, 1926, and E. sexguttata (Fabricius, 1803)). This genus includes currently the highest species diversity among the New World Cicadellinae, an agriculturally important subfamily. Comparative notes on other genera of the Cicadellini are added. In agreement with other recent publications, our results challenge the view that the morphology of the female genitalia is almost always conservative in the Cicadellidae.