Morphology Of Genitalia Research Articles

A new species of Diatraea Guilding, 1828, feeding on sugarcane from Nayarit, Mexico, and a lectotype designation for Diatraea magnifactella Dyar, 1911 (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Crambinae)

Between 2022 and 2023, over a thousand larvae and pupae of sugarcane borers in the genus Diatraea Guilding, 1828, were collected in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, and reared to adults to identify them based on the morphology of genitalia. Although two species, Diatraea considerata Heinrich, 1931, and D. magnifactella Dyar, 1911, had been reported to occur in western Mexico, we discovered a new species of sugarcane borer, Diatraea nayaritella Robles & Solis, sp. nov., from Nayarit, Mexico. It had been preliminarily identified as D. considerata, which was described from the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Additionally, we designate a lectotype for D. magnifactella, new lectotype, from Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, to stabilize the name and identity of this species. The distribution of D. magnifactella is discussed.

Pararhigognostis—a new genus for Plutella stichocentra Meyrick, 1932 (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae), with a redescription of its male and female genitalia

Pararhigognostis Baraniak & Agassiz, gen. nov., is described and illustrated for the enigmatic Plutella stichocentra Meyrick, 1932. The morphology of male and female genitalia is described for the first time, and they serve to distinguish the new genus from all other genera of the family Plutellidae. The new genus is defined by the structure of the valva, long saccus, and shape of socii in the male genitalia, as well as by the shape of antrum and long, very thin apophyses posteriores in the female genitalia. The type species of Pararhigognostis, P. stichocentra, is redescribed. Line drawings of the male and female genitalia of the species are provided.

Revision of Euliroetis Ogloblin, 1936 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) from China, with descriptions of two new species

In this study, based on the examination of type specimens, the morphology of male and female genitalia and additional body characters, the leaf-beetle genus Euliroetis is taxonomically revised. Five Chinese species of Euliroetis are redescribed, a new synonymy is proposed: E. nigrinota Gressitt et Kimoto, 1963 = E. simulonigrinota Yang, 1992, syn. nov., and two new species are described: E. testacea Feng et Yang, sp. nov. and E. tenuis Feng et Yang, sp. nov. Additionally, photographs of all male adults and genitalia, female genitalia, line drawings of all males' abdomens, and a key to species of Euliroetis is provided.

NEW CAVERNICOLOUS SPECIES OF THE GENUS CHALLIA BURR, 1904 (DERMAPTERA: PYGIDICRANIDAE, CHALLIINAE) FROM CHINA

A new species of the genus Challia Burr, 1904 (Dermaptera: Pygidicranidae, Challiinae), Challia guilinensis sp. n., is described and illustrated based on male from a karst cave in China. The new species differs from the congeners by the morphology of forceps and genitalia. Holotype is deposited in the Insect Collection of Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Province, China.

Pentacentrus rectangulus sp. nov., the twelfth Pentacentrus species recorded in China (Orthoptera: Gryllidae; Pentacentrinae)

Pentacentrus rectangulus sp. nov. is the twelfth Pentacentrus species we have found in China. This new species has a uniformly colored head (without longitudinal yellow stripe on the occiput, and the color of the scape and peduncle segments is the same as that of the first three flagellar segments), and significantly curved ectoparamere. It has a similar coloration (coloration of the forewings and hind feet) to that of both Pentacentrus bituberus Liu & Shi, 2011 and Pentacentrus medogensis Zong, Qiu & Liu, 2017, but the morphology of the male genitalia differs markedly (the ventral inner margin of the epiphallus of the new has tufts of bristles, which is not present in either P. bituberus or P. medogensis). Here, we describe and illustrate the new species, and we also provide a key to the Chinese species of the genus.

A revision of the genus Neoliparina Schultze, 1934, with descriptions of three new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Lymantriinae)

The tussock moth genus Neoliparina Schultze, 1934, has been regarded as monotypic since its erection 90 years ago, however, investigation into material housed in the Lymantriinae collections of the African Natural History Research Trust revealed a further three species belonging to this genus, which are described in this paper: Neoliparina smithi sp. n., N. schultzei sp. n. and N. nyonie sp. n. Schultze’s (1934) original descriptions of Neoliparina and its type species N. paradoxa Schultze, 1934 were based upon a single female specimen, and as such a detailed morphological examination of both sexes is provided in this paper. All four species show remarkably strong divergence in genitalia morphology and external habitus perhaps unusual for the Lymantriinae. The paper is illustrated with 12 diagnostic figures of adults and genitalia of both sexes of each species.

Robust phylogenomics settles controversies of classification and reveals evolution of male embolic complex of the Laufeia clade (Araneae, Salticidae, Euophryini).

The Laufeia clade is a peculiar lineage of euophryine jumping spiders showing rapid divergence of male genital structures, especially the embolic complex that directly interacts with female genitalia during sperm transfer. With the rapid growth of species discovery and the perplexing morphology of male genitalia in the Laufeia clade, the controversy in its classification has become a crucial problem. In this study, we applied a phylogenomic approach using ultra-conserved elements data to infer the phylogeny of the Laufeia clade with extensive taxon sampling. A comparative morphological study was performed to evaluate diagnostic characters and understand the evolution of the male embolic complex within the Laufeia clade. The evolution of microhabitats (foliage, tree trunk, rock and surface litter) was also investigated to uncover the potential link between the microhabitat shifts and male embolic complex divergence. The results provide a strongly supported phylogenetic framework and updated generic concepts for the Laufeia clade. The synapomorphies for the updated genera within the Laufeia clade were identified through character mapping on the phylogeny. Ancestral state reconstruction analyses revealed that the Type I embolic complex (characterized by a disc-like embolic disc with a lamina as its outer edge) was ancestral and gradually evolved into the Type II (without lamina of embolic disc, base of embolic complex often modified into a functional "conductor") and Type III (lacking lamina of embolic disc and base of embolic complex) embolic complex, and that some embolic shapes evolved multiple times independently in different lineages of the Laufeia clade. The shift from foliage-dwelling to tree trunk-dwelling in the common ancestor of the Laufeia clade may have facilitated the divergent evolution of male embolic complex in the Laufeia clade. This study provides a solid foundation for future studies of systematics and evolution of this group.

Cryptic genera, cryptic species: phylogeny of the genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004, sensu lato, with descriptions of two new genera and one new species

Closely related chewing lice in the Philopterus-complex are typically morphologically homogeneous, with the most significant differences often being in the male genitalia. However, in many groups within this complex the male genitalia are reduced and lacking one or more element, with the remaining components often at least partially fused. This is not least the case in the genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004, in which the male mesosome is often reduced and other characters are largely homogeneous throughout the genus. A phylogeny of the group based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genes suggests that the species presently placed in Philopteroides belong to three different clades, which do not form a monophyletic group together. We here redefine Philopteroides morphologically, and describe two of these clades as new genera: Stasiasticopterusn. gen. for the species on bulbuls, and Coronedaxn. gen. for species on monarch flycatchers. These genera can be separated from each other and from Philopteroides only by some characters of the male genitalia, but possibly also by characters of the preantennal head and female genitalia. In addition, we describe a new species of Coronedax, Coronedax longicepssp. n. and provide an overview of the morphology of the male genitalia in the three genera treated.

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Metacephalus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with description of seven new leafhopper species.

Metacephalus Delong and Martinson, 1973 includes leafhopper species from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador (new record), Guyana, French Guiana (new record), Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. In the present revisionary study, we describe seven new species of Metacephalus, propose one species synonymy (M. cinctus as junior synonym of M. facetus), and provide new country records for species, considerably expanding knowledge about species distributions. The study also provides redescriptions and photographs of diagnostic characters for 12 previously described valid species and an identification key to all 21 species of Metacephalus. Molecular phylogenies of Metacephalus species are hypothesized based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of 1,387 bp of mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S rDNA and nuclear histone H3. Results of the molecular phylogeny generated herein provided a base for understanding character homologies when presenting morphological diagnoses of Metacephalus species and exposed a high level of convergent characters in color pattern and male genitalia morphology usually used in morphological taxonomy of this group of leafhoppers.

Comparative geometric morphometrics of male genitalia in Xiphocentron subgenera (Trichoptera: Xiphocentronidae): new species, revision and phylogenetic systematics of the subgenus Sphagocentron

Geometric morphometric statistics have been employed to reduce the subjectivity of visual evaluations in taxonomy. Taxonomy in most insect groups relies strongly on male genitalia morphology which is often the structure with most data available, which is also true to caddisfly taxonomy. Here we revise the caddisfly subgenus Xiphocentron (Sphagocentron) adding five new species after 40 years: X. dactylumsp. nov., X. eurybrachiumsp. nov., X. tapantisp. nov., and X. tuxtlasp. nov.Additionally, we describe a new X. (Antillotrichia): X. drepanumsp. nov. from French Guiana and provide new species records of Xiphocentronidae from Bolivia, Costa Rica and Ecuador. We performed exploratory geometric morphometric analysis on the male genitalia’s preanal appendage to characterize the shape differences among the species, and to investigate its utility to classify species to subgenera. In order to infer species relationship and assess if shape congruences are due to phylogenetic signal or convergence data from 100 landmarks and semilandmarks, and 30 discrete characters were used to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis. The morphometry partially supports the subgenera delimitations, but the Antillotrichia subgenus greatly overlapped with other subgenera. The discriminant analysis overall classification correctness was 64%. Some suggested phenotypic groups were due to convergence. According to the preanal appendage morphometry, X. (Antillotrichia) fuscum is a Sphagocentron species. The phylogenetic analysis recovered Sphagocentron as monophyletic, but not Antillotrichia. Sphagocentron subgenus was placed within a clade of several Antillotrichia species, with X. (A.) fuscum as the sister of the other Sphagocentron species, although support values were low.

Comparative morphology of male genitalia in antlions (Insecta, Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae), with emphasis on owlflies (Ascalaphinae) and a possible structural evolutionary scenario.

Male genitalia morphology in Myrmeleontidae has traditionally been insufficiently studied, although it has received increased attention for its diagnostic value in recent times. A neutral terminology has generally been applied in standard taxonomic practice, yet knowledge of an equivalent and stable terminology across taxa based on comparative morphology has been missing. Herein a detailed comparative morphology study with examples from most tribes within Myrmeleontidae, including owlflies (Ascalaphinae), attempts to relate external and internal genital structures based on a proposed groundplan for Neuroptera and Myrmeleontidae. We contend that a groundplan based on 10 abdominal segments, plus vestigial structures from an 11th segment, coherently depicts structural components across myrmeleontid taxa. A gonarcus, an element of Neuropterida amply referred in Neuroptera, is supported to represent the pair of abdominal appendages of segment X medially fused, with gonocoxite and gonostylus components. In most myrmeleontid taxa, basal (gonocoxites) and distal (gonostyli) components separate, with gonostyli positioned posteriorly with respect to gonocoxites, still united with translucent, lightly sclerotized tissue, forming a more or less conical structure, a proposed synapomorphy for the family. Ninth gonostyli are generally reduced (pulvini) and have migrated close to the base of gonarcus (10th gonocoxites). A pelta, also a potential synapomorphy for Myrmeleontidae, derives from paired setose surfaces of the 10th gonostyli, medially positioned (still evident in Bubopsis). Three structural types of gonarcus are diagnosed for illustrative purposes, as they may represent convergent constructs.

A Bibliometric and Visualisation Analysis on the Research of Female Genital Plastic Surgery Based on the Web of Science Core Collection Database.

Due to the increasing demand for improving the morphology and function of the external genitalia amongst women, it is necessary to conduct statistical analysis of research data on female genital reconstruction. The current study aimed to use bibliometric analysis to analyse the research hotspots and trend frontiers of the female genital reconstructive research. Publications on the female genital reconstructive research were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer 1.6.18 was used to establish visualisation maps and find top authors, institutions, countries, burst keywords, co-cited authors, journals, research hotspots, and trends. A total of 2207 studies published by 364 different journals authored by 7479 researchers were contained in this study. In the co-authorship analysis, the bulk of the retrieved studies was conducted by the USA, followed by England, Italy, and Netherlands, whilst the most productive institution, journal, and author were U.S. Univ Calif San Francisco, Journal of Sexual Medicine, and Bouman Mark-Bram, respectively. In the co-cited analysis, the top most-cited author and journal were Hage JJ and Journal of Sexual Medicine, respectively. The map of keywords occurrence revealed the most active research aspects were focussed on "vaginoplasty", "feminised genitoplasty", "laser treatment of vaginal atrophy", "transsexualism", and "labiaplasty". The time overlay mapping showed that the study of female genital plastic surgery focusses on the energetic treatment of genitourinary syndromes caused by transsexualism and menopause, especially by using management and treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy for the research trends, and through the vaginoplasty, feminising genioplasty, and laser treatments in the direction of treatments related to physical and mental problems. This novel inclusive bibliometric analysis can help research workers to quickly understand the potential and active researchers, landmark studies, and topics within their interests. We are willing to provide more beneficial data to contribute valuable research of female genital plastic surgery through this study. The journal asks authors to assign a level of evidence to each article. For a complete description of Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, see the Table of Contents or the online Instructions for Authors at www.springer.com/00266 .

Vector transmission of parsley yellow leaf curl virus by the leafhopper Austroagallia sinuata.

Parsley yellow leaf curl virus (PYLCV) is a new member of the family Geminiviridae that has not yet been assigned to an established genus due to limited information about its biological properties. In this study, the ability of Austroagallia leafhoppers, which are commonly found on vegetable farms in Kerman province (Iran), to transmit this virus was studied. After a two-day acquisition access period, Austroagallia sp. successfully transmitted the virus from PYLCV-infected parsley to healthy seedlings. On the basis of male genitalia morphology, the species of leafhopper was identified as A. sinuata. This is the first report of a transmission of plant virus by a member of the genus Austroagallia.

Distribution and taxonomy of two closely related Nychiodes species in southern Italy (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae)

We investigated the distribution and species circumscription of Nychiodes obscurariaVillers (1789) and Nychiodes ragusaria Millière (1884). The morphology of male and female genitalia of Calabrian populations (southern Italy) revealed them to belong to N. ragusaria while specimens from Basilicata, Molise and the rest of Italy turned out to be N. obscuraria. Although the DNA barcodes showed a divergence of 1.55% between typical N. obscuraria and N. ragusaria, 9 out of 28 Calabrian specimens of N. ragusaria shared the N. obscuraria haplotype, and sometimes both haplotypes were found at the same site. Genetic introgression appears as the most probable scenario to explain the observed pattern. A correct identification for the investigated species pair should be based on morphology instead of DNA barcode analysis because of the observed mitonuclear discordance at mountain sites. Further studies are needed to clarify the occurrence of this discordance at high elevations only.

Redescription of Pomponia cyanea Fraser, 1948 (Hemiptera, Cicadidae) from the Western Ghats, with a note on its junior synonym P. zebra Bliven, 1964, syn. nov., and Terpnosia polei (Henry, 1931), from Sri Lanka

Pomponia cyanea Fraser, 1948 from the southern Western Ghats, of peninsular India is redescribed based on the types and fresh specimens with additional data on distribution, morphometrics, and structure of male genitalia. The validity of P. zebra Bliven, 1964, originally described from the Anamalai Hills is discussed. A study of fresh specimens and holotype images of P. zebra revealed no difference in general morphology, wing venation, or structure of male genitalia so as to separate it from P. cyanea, and hence P. zebra is treated as a junior synonym of P. cyanea Fraser, 1948, syn. nov. The taxonomic status of Terpnosia polei (Henry, 1931) from Sri Lanka is revised based on male morphology and is transferred to its original genus as Pomponia polei Henry, 1931, comb. nov. A key to males of known species of Pomponia of Western Ghats is provided.

Examining the Morphology of External Genitalia in Iranian Women: A Labiagram-based Study in Iran and its Influence on Patients' Self-Satisfaction.

This study aims to document a woman's external genitalia data in the form of a labiogram and investigate whether variations in the size of specific components of a woman's external genitalia can influence her overall satisfaction with the esthetic appearance of her genitalia. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on a sample of 500 Iranian women. Socio-demographic information was collected for all participants, and they completed the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) questionnaire. Measurements of different external genitalia components were obtained for all participants. The findings revealed that there was no significant association between the measurements of the external genitalia and age or BMI. However, a significant negative correlation was observed between the total score on the FGSIS and specific parameters related to the width of different sections of the labia minora. The correlations were as follows: left lower third (r = -0.305), lower right third (r = -0.302), left middle third (r = -0.365), right middle third (r = -0.435), left upper third (r = -0.397), and right upper third (r = -0.407) (P value< 0.001). Moreover, cutoff points of 1.95cm on the left side and 1.90cm on the right side were identified through analysis as thresholds for predicting dissatisfaction among women. This study suggests that the width of the labia minora might influence certain women's motivation to undergo labiaplasty, a surgical procedure designed to modify the labia minora. To help women make informed decisions, it is crucial for those considering the procedure to have a comprehensive understanding of different labia minora types, potential benefits, and associated risks. By being well-informed, individuals can make choices that align with their personal preferences and priorities. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Molecular characterization and demographic insights into soybean bud borer (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Brazil.

The soybean bud borer, a soybean pest in Brazil, was initially identified as Crocidosema aporema (Walsingham 1914) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Outbreaks of this species have recently increased, but identification of this pest remains uncertain, and the historical factors associated with its geographic distribution in Brazil are little known. Here, we conducted a species characterization and phylogeographic analysis based on molecular and morphological evidence. Ninety individuals of bud-borers Lepidoptera were collected in different regions of Brazil. We sequenced COI and COII mitochondrial genes and examined wing patterns and male genital morphology. DNA barcoding approach revealed that 10 individuals were Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick 1909) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and 80 were a species of the genus Crocidosema Zeller. The morphology of the adult genitalia and wings proved to be insufficient to confirm the identification of Brazilian individuals as C. aporema, a species originally described from a high-elevation site in Costa Rica. Furthermore, the genetic distance between putative C. aporema specimens from Brazil and Costa Rica (ranging from 5.2% to 6.4%) supports the hypothesis that the Brazilian specimens are not referable to C. aporema. Our analysis revealed a single genetic strain (i.e., species) with low genetic diversity on soybean crops. We found no indication that the genetic structure was related to geographic distance among populations or edaphoclimatic regions. The population expansion of the soybean bud borer coincides with the increase in the area of soybean production in Brazil, suggesting that expanded soybean farming has allowed a significant increase in the effective population size of this pest.

On the taxonomy of the genus Sarothroceras Mabille, 1889 (Erebidae: Calpinae)

The taxonomy of the genus Sarothroceras Mabille, 1889 currently containing only the type species S. banaka (Plötz, 1880) and its four junior synonyms is revised. Sarothroceras alluaudi Mabille, 1889, stat. rev. is re-established as a valid species based on external and genitalia morphology as well as barcode data, and S. sordidus Rothschild, 1896 syn. rev. is synonymised with it. Diagnostic characters to separate the two species are provided together with illustrations of adults as well as male and female genitalia.

Two New Species of Tagalis Stål (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Saicini) from Panama and Brazil, with an Analysis of the Male Genitalia Morphology

Tagalis matamorosae n. species and Tagalis pagu n. species are described from specimens collected in Barro Colorado (Panama) and Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), respectively. Among the species of Tagalis, both new species have coloration patterns and genital structure particularly different. Tagalis matamorosae n. species is the unique species with a gonoplac composed by a pair of sclerites, and T. pagu n. species shows the posteromedial process of pygophore with a curvature exclusive within the genus. Digital images of external morphological characters and of the genitalia are provided. To facilitate the identification of the new species, an updated key to the species of Tagalis is presented. Male genital structures along the genus and its taxonomic and phylogenetic implications are discussed.

Fine Morphological Study of the Myrmecina graminicola (Latreille, 1802) Male, With First Description of External Genitalia in the Genus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmecinae)

The genus Myrmecina was described basing on males of M. graminicola. Though representing the caste type, males were sufficiently described in only two out of 105 species known in the genus. However, the morphology of the male external genitalia remained undescribed. Re‐examining by SEM the male of M. graminicola, we describe and illustrate in detail for the first time the external genitalia, redefining and updating the morphological male diagnosis of the genus. We also analyze the overall morphology, illustrating additional peculiar characters of this species as follows: (i) a very distinctive stipital groove in the dorsolateral stipes; (ii) a developed uncinate‐shaped mesoscutellar arm; (iii) the antennal cleaning; and (iv) the absence of meso‐ and metatibial spurs. This morphological study will be useful as a base for further morphological descriptions of the males in other species of the same genus to support correct taxonomic identifications.