The evolution of female-biased genital diversity in bedbugs (Cimicidae).

Rapid genitalia evolution is believed to be mainly driven by sexual selection. Recently, noncopulatory genital functions have been suggested to exert stronger selection pressure on female genitalia than copulatory functions. In bedbugs (Cimicidae), the impact of the copulatory function can be isolated from the noncopulatory impact. Unlike in other taxa, female copulatory organs have no function in egg-laying or waste-product expulsion. Males perform traumatic mating by piercing the female integument, thereby imposing antagonistic selection on females and suspending selection to morphologically match female genitalia. We found the location of the copulatory organ evolved rapidly, changing twice between dorsal and ventral sides, and several times along the anteroposterior and the left-right axes. Male genital length and shape varied much less, did not appear to follow the positional changes seen in females, and showed no evidence for coevolution. Female genitalia position evolved 1.5 times faster than male genital length and shape and showed little neutral or geographic signals. Instead, we propose that nonmorphological male traits, such as mating behavior, may drive female genitalia morphology in this taxon. Models of genitalia evolution may benefit from considering morphological genital responses to nonmorphological stimuli, such as male mating behavior or copulatory position.

Divergence in the internal genital morphology of females and correlated divergence in male intromittent structures among populations of a millipede.

Our understanding of genital evolution comes largely from studies of male genitalia. Females have received far less attention because of the difficulties inherent in quantifying the shapes of their internal genital structures. Here we combine advances in micro-computed tomography with a new landmark free method of quantifying three-dimensional trait shape, to document patterns of divergence in female genital shape, and the correlated divergence of male genitalia among populations of the millipede Antichiropus variabilis. We used single-nucleotide polymorphisms to estimate levels of neutral genetic divergence among seven populations of millipede. Genetic divergence was high and correlated with geographic distance. Comparing phenotypic divergence in genital shape to neutral genetic divergence, we found that genital shape for both females and males has diverged more than would be expected from random drift, consistent with a pattern of directional selection. While there was significant covariation between female and male genital shape across populations, the magnitude of divergence in genital shape between the sexes was not correlated. Our results demonstrate the utility of using three-dimensional scanning technologies to examine female genital traits and add to a small but growing number of studies showing that like male genitalia, female genitalia can be under strong directional selection.

Description of Antaeola rhinosa sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) from Thailand.

The genus Antaeola has remained monotypic since its description by Diakonoff in 1973. A new species, Antaeola rhinosa sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Thailand. The new species can be distinguished from A. antaea (Meyrick) by facies and features of the male and female genitalia.

Letrasilta, a new genus for the Striatella cernyi Volynkin species-group with description of a new species from Xizang, China, and a replacement name for the genus group name Striatella Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang, 2019 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

The name Striatochrista nom. n. is introduced as replacement for Striatella Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang, 2019. A new genus, Letrasilta S.-Y. Huang & Volynkin gen. n. is erected to include the Striatella cernyi species-group with the new species, L. ratnasambhava S.-Y. Huang, Volynkin & Yin sp. n. from Xizang, southwestern China designated as the type species. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new genus is found to be sister to the clade (Aberrasine + ((Indiania + Idopterum) + Striatochrista nom. n.)) but is distinguished from all the relevant genera by the unique genitalia features. Letrasilta cernyi (Volynkin, 2018) comb. n. is also reported from India for the first time. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated. A checklist of the genus Striatochrista is also provided.

Taxonomic review of the Miltochrista hollowai and M. curvifascia species-groups with descriptions of two new species from India (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

The Miltochrista hollowai (Kirti & Gill, 2009) and M. curvifascia (Hampson, 1891) species-groups are reviewed, and two new species belonging to the M. hollowai species-group i.e., Miltochrista madathumala sp. nov. and M. kumarkaustubhi sp. nov. are described from South India. The female of M. paraarcuata is illustrated and diagnosed for the first time. Illustrations of adults and genitalia as well as diagnoses are provided for all the species considered.

Integrative taxonomic revision of the African taxa of the Racotis Moore, 1887 generic complex (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Boarmiini).

The Afrotropical taxa of the Racotis s.l. generic complex are revised utilising integrative taxonomical methods. Based on the evaluation of genital morphology and analyses of DNA barcodes, a new genus, Afroracotis gen. n. is established to include the Afrotropical "Racotis" species. The new genus is subdivided into 5 subgenera: Afroracotis subgen. n., Herbuloracotis subgen. n., Rwandaracotis subgen. n., Zebracotis subgen. n. and Sokokeracotis subgen. n.. A new monotypic genus is described to include Boarmia ugandaria Swinhoe, 1904 which was combined earlier with the genus Chorodna and recently with Racotis: Chorocotis gen. n.. Two species formerly assigned to Cleora are moved to Afroracotis: A. albitrigonis (Prout, 1927) comb. n., A. atriclava (Prout, 1926) comb. n.. Two species are transferred from Racotis to Colocleora: C. breijeri (Prout, 1922) comb. n., C. incauta (Prout, 1916) comb. n.. Seventeen new Afroracotis species (A. aliena, A. stadiei, A. violetteae, A. fiebigi, A. turlini, A. dargei, A. longicornuta, A. aristophanousi, A. muscivirens, A. chaineyi, A. lydiae, A. smithi, A. ochsei, A. milesi, A. helicalis, A. takanoi and A. staudei spp. n.) and 5 new subspecies (A. squalida thomensis, A. argillacea morettoi, A. longicornuta congolana, A. longicornuta ugandana and A. lydiae orientalis sspp. n.) are described, totalling 27 species and 8 subspecies contained in the genus Afroracotis. Adults and genitalia of all taxa are illustrated in 210 colour and 129 black and white figures demonstrating the intraspecific variability. The distribution of all taxa is illustrated in 6 dot maps. The results of the genetic analyses are figured in four phylograms.

Outside the pattern: Evolution of the genital asymmetry in Saicinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Despite genital structures in insects being consistently important as systematic and taxonomy evidence, within assassin bugs (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) at least, the male and female genitalic structures of several subfamilies are poorly or totally unknown. The genital structure is mostly symmetric within Saicinae genera, but male genital asymmetry has been recorded in Gallobelgicus, Polytoxus, and recently Pseudosaica. The subfamily has been considered as closely related to Emesinae and Visayanocorinae but this hypothesis has never been tested using a comprehensive taxa sampling, being a constraint to test morphological traits changes or exploring characters' evolution hypotheses. Here, we compiled a morphological data set of 170 characters that includes external morphological characters and genitalia of both sexes of Saicinae which was analyzed cladistically including 55 terminals, comprising 16 genera (64% of the generic diversity), 43 species of Saicinae and 12 outgroups. Saicinae was recovered as polyphyletic, Saicireta correntina is recovered as sister-species of Empicoris armatus + Collartida (Emesinae), Oncerotrachelus, Carayonia (Visayanocorinae), and the Clade Saicinae sensu stricto. Carayonia orientalis is recovered as sister-species of Saicinae sensu stricto. Ancestral state reconstruction of symmetry of the male genitalia shows an ancestor with symmetric male genitalia, two independent emergences of asymmetrical male genitalia within Saicinae sensu stricto, and the asymmetrical endosomal sclerites appearing before the other asymmetric traits.

A review of the South American metalmark genus Alesa Doubleday, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Eurybiini) with the description of two new species.

The taxonomy of the South American metalmark butterflies of the genus Alesa Doubleday, 1847 is reviewed. A new taxonomic arrangement for Alesa is supported after the analysis of about 600 specimens, including the recognition of two new species, described herein, A. juliae sp. nov. and A. mariae sp. nov.. Alesa negra Röber, 1931, so far recognized as a junior subjective synonym of A. telephae (Boisduval, 1836), is here recognized as a valid species (stat. rev.) and A. amethystina Gallard & Fernandez, 2015 as a junior subjective synonym (syn. nov.) of A. negra, and A. fournierae Lathy, 1958 is recognized as a junior subjective synonym (syn. nov.) of A. amesis (Cramer, 1777). Neotypes are designated for Papilio amesis Cramer, 1777, Erycina prema Godart, [1824] and Mimocastinia egeria Biedermann, 1936. Lectotypes are designated for Erycina priolas Godart, [1824], Eurybia telephae Boisduval, 1836, A. smaragdifera Westwood, 1851, A. lipara Bates, 1868, A. hemiurga Bates, 1868, A. thelydrias Bates, 1868, and Mimocastnia rothschildi Seitz, 1913. Three previously established species groups are here supported by morphological characters including the following species, "prema group": A. prema, A. esmeralda Salazar & Constantino, 2007, A. beneluzi Gallard & Fernandez, 2015, A. rothschildi and A. juliae sp. nov.; "telephae group": A. telephae, A. humilis Brévignon, 2015, A. negra stat. rev. and A. suzana Ahrenholz & Hall, 2010; and "amesis group": A. amesis, A. mariae sp. nov., A. lipara Bates, 1867, A. hemiurga Bates, 1867 and A. thelydrias Bates, 1867. Adults and their genitalia are illustrated for all species available to examination. The main diagnostic characters used to distinguish the species belonging to the "amesis group" are illustrated, and pictures of adults images in situ and distribution maps are provided. Additionally, all species are diagnosed and discussed based on their morphology.

New record of the genus Stereodytis Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) from Japan with the description of a new species.

A new species Stereodytis eclipsia Tomura & Hirowatari sp. nov. from Japan is described. Images of the imagos, male and female genitalia, larval biology, feeding habits, and molecular data are provided. Additionally, its systematic position and the possibility that this species was invasive in recent years are discussed.

New species and records of Paroxyplax Cai, 1984 (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) and its allies from China, with a checklist of the treated genera.

A brief review of the taxonomical history of the genus Paroxyplax Cai, 1984 and its allied genera, including Oxyplax Hampson, 1893, Ploneta Snellen, 1900, Orthocraspeda Hampson, 1893, and Darna Walker, 1862, is presented. Two new species of Paroxyplax and one of Oxyplax are described: Paroxyplax nanlingensis sp. nov., P. fusca sp. nov., and Oxyplax bannaensis sp. nov.; three species are reported for the first time in China: Ploneta diducta Snellen, 1900, Orthocraspeda sordida Snellen, 1900, and Darna sybilla (Swinhoe, 1903). Two genera, Ploneta and the true Darna are known for the first time from China. The adults and genitalia of all the treated species are illustrated. A checklist with distribution data for the species of the treated genera is provided.

Reproductive isolation via divergent genital morphology due to cascade reinforcement in Ohomopterus ground beetles.

Secondary contact between incipient species and selection against maladaptive hybridization can drive reinforcement between populations in contact and result in reproductive character displacement (RCD). Resultant divergence in mating traits within a species may generate downstream reproductive isolation between populations with displaced and non-displaced traits, referred to as the cascade reinforcement hypothesis. We examined this hypothesis using three allopatric populations of the ground beetle Carabus maiyasanus with a genital lock-and-key system. This species shows RCD in male and female genital morphologies in populations in contact with the sister species C. iwawakianus. In a reciprocal mating experiment using three allopatric populations with differences in male and female genital sizes, insemination failure increased as the difference in genital size increased. Based on the reproductive isolation index, insemination failure was the major postmating-prezygotic isolation barrier, at least in one population pair with comparable total isolation to those of other species pairs. By contrast, there was only incomplete premating isolation among populations. These results suggest that RCD in genital morphologies drives incipient allopatric speciation, supporting the cascade reinforcement hypothesis. These findings provide insight into the roles of interspecific interactions and subsequent trait diversification in speciation processes.

Reproductive Character Displacement in Genital Morphology in Ohomopterus Ground Beetles.

AbstractGenital morphology reveals rapid diversification among species, and species-specific divergence in genital morphology may result in reproductive isolation and promote speciation. Natural selection against maladaptive hybridization may cause species-specific genital divergence. In this context, divergence in mating traits is expected to be greater between sympatric populations than between allopatric populations in a pair of species, known as reproductive character displacement (RCD). However, there are few examples of RCD in the genital morphology of closely related species. Additionally, processes leading to RCD have rarely been inferred. In this study, we examined RCD and its underlying mechanisms by focusing on species-specific genital morphologies of closely related Ohomopterus ground beetle species. A morphological analysis showed patterns of RCD in species-specific genital parts in both sexes. Interspecific hybridization was confirmed by a mate choice experiment and by a population genetic analysis indicating extensive interspecific gene flow, suggesting that reinforcement is the most plausible process underlying the observed RCD. We found variation in the degree of displacement in contact zones, which may correspond with the ongoing process of genital evolution and speciation. Our results provide support for the lock-and-key hypothesis of genital evolution in closely related Ohomopterus species.

Perfecting the Gastrointestinal Physical Exam: Findings and Their Utility and Examination Pearls.

The physical examination of the patient is the cornerstone of the practice of medicine, and the skills to complete a thorough abdominal examination are critical in the care of patients. When performed correctly, the abdominal examination can be revealing when it comes to the overall health of the patient as well as acute pathology. The examination of the abdomen has the potential to minimize further testing or radiation and serves as a key diagnostic tool. In this article, we will discuss each portion of the abdominal examination in detail as well as pathologic findings, abdomen-specific signs, special patient populations, and clinical pearls.

Association Between Neonatal Thyroid Function and Anogenital Distance from Birth to 48 Months of Age.

Background: Evidence from animal studies has indicated that neonatal thyroid function is vital for the reproductive development. Anogenital distance (AGD), a sensitive biomarker of the fetal hormonal milieu, can be used to predict adult reproductive disorders. However, few human studies have examined the association between neonatal thyroid function and AGD. We aimed to explore their associations in a birth cohort study. Methods: Concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (THs), including total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured in cord plasma in the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort. The offspring AGD (AGDAP [anus-penis] and AGDAS [anus-scrotum] for boys and AGDAC [anus-clitoris] and AGDAF [anus-fourchette] for girls), body weight and anogenital index (AGI = AGD/weight [mm/kg]) were obtained at each follow-up visit. In total, 344 children (194 boys and 150 girls) with cord plasma concentrations of THs and TSH and at least one AGD measurement at birth and at 6, 12, and 48 months of age were included. Multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to examine the associations of cord plasma concentrations of THs and TSH with AGI. Results: Multiple linear regression models showed inverse associations of TT4, FT3, and FT4 with female AGI, although statistical significance was only reached at birth, 6 and 48 months of age. These associations were also found in GEE models: higher TT4 and FT4 concentrations were associated with lower AGIAC (TT4: ß = -0.27, 95% CI: -0.50, -0.03 for middle vs. lowest tertile; FT4: ß = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.61, -0.16 for middle and ß = -0.30, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.04 for highest vs. lowest tertile). Besides, girls with the highest tertile of FT3 concentrations had lower AGIAF than those with the lowest tertile (the highest vs. lowest tertile: ß = -0.22, 95% CI: -0.36, -0.08). Positive associations between TSH and AGI at birth and at 12 months of age were observed in boys. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence on the effects of neonatal thyroid function on reproductive development at an early life stage.

The ultimate database to (re)set the evolutionary history of primate genital bones.

Scientific literature concerning genital bones in primates consists of both ancient works (dating back to the nineteenth century) and more recent revisions/meta-analyses, which, however, are not always so detailed or exhaustive. Based on a thorough analysis, several conflicting data, inaccurate references, and questionable claims have emerged. We generated a binary matrix of genital bone occurrence data, considering only data at the species level, based on (1) a rigorous literature search protocol, (2) raw data (collected exclusively from primary literature), (3) an updated taxonomy (often tracing back to the species taxonomic history) and (4) new occurrence data from scanned genitals of fresh and museum specimens (using micro-computed tomography-micro-CT). Thanks to this methodological approach, we almost doubled available occurrence data so far, avoiding any arbitrary extension of generic data to conspecific species. This practice, in fact, has been recently responsible for an overestimation of the occurrence data, definitively flattening the interspecific variability. We performed the ancestral state reconstruction analysis of genital bone occurrence and results were mapped onto the most updated phylogeny of primates. As for baculum, we definitively demonstrated its simplesiomorphy for the entire order. As for baubellum, we interpreted all scattered absences as losses, actually proposing (for the first time) a simplesiomorphic state for the clitoral bone as well. The occurrence data obtained, while indirectly confirming the baculum/baubellum homology (i.e., for each baubellum a baculum was invariably present), could also directly demonstrate an intra-specific variability affecting ossa genitalia occurrence. With our results, we established a radically improved and updated database about the occurrence of genital bones in primates, available for further comparative analyses.

A new species of emCampyloneura/em (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) from Cameroon with a review of the genus.

A second species of the previously monotypic plant bug genus Campyloneura, C. joceliae sp. nov. is described based on specimens from Nkolbisson, Cameroon. A key, differential diagnoses, digital habitus images, illustrations of male and female genitalic structures, and scanning micrographs of diagnostic morphological structures are provided for the new species and C. virgula (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1835).

A new species of emCosmoclopius/em Stål, 1866 from Argentina (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

A new species of Cosmoclopius Stål, 1866, C. joceliae sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in northern Argentina. This new species is recognized by the vertical and truncate median process of pygophore, and the short-recurved spine on the apex of the dorsal phallothecal sclerite; and other features such as the dorsally black head, pronotum, and femora, and the thoracic sterna black with median pale markings; some females show lighter posterior pronotal lobe and femora with more conspicuous dark and pale bands. Digital images of the adult male and female and male genitalia are provided, as well as a comparison with the species of the genus are given.

Diagnostics of Manitischeria /gen. nov., an Old-World genus of leaf-mining Tischeriidae, composed of new species and species formerly in Tischeria Zeller.

We describe a new genus, Manitischeria Diskus Stonis, gen. nov., and five new species: Manitischeria selindica Stonis Diskus, sp. nov., M. namibiensis Stonis Diskus, sp. nov. from Africa, and M. brachiata Diskus Stonis, sp. nov., M. symbolica Diskus Stonis, sp. nov., and M. baryshnikovae Diskus Stonis, sp. nov. from South East Asia. We discuss the diagnostics of Manitischeria gen. nov. composed of these new species and others transferred from Tischeria Zeller. Species are mostly trophically associated with Malvaceae, but also Rhamnaceae and Betulaceae. We list 18 currently known species of Manitischeria gen. nov., including M. ptarmica (Meyrick), the type species, and provide 13 new combinations and the first documentation of genitalia of some, previously little-known species. New species are illustrated with photographs or drawings of the adults, genitalia, and the leaf mines when available. We briefly discuss the use of herbarium specimens to discover lepidopteran leaf mines, host plant, and distribution data.

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

This study reassesses the taxonomic status of Neotropical blue and purple/rose-colored Cithaerias butterflies, thus complementing a previous study of the rose-colored species. Based on comparative study of wing coloration and genitalia morphology, I revise species definitions and the taxonomic status of: Cithaerias andromeda, C. azurina STAT. REV., C. esmeralda STAT. REV., C. bandusia STAT. REV., C. pyropina, and C. songoana STAT. REV. Photographs of adults and illustrations of male and female genitalia are provided for all species. Of particular importance are the genitalia illustrations of male and female C. azurina, presented here for the first time, as well as finding a putative first female of Ecuadorean subspecies C. pyropina julia.

A New Species of Aporia/ (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) from Northwest Yunnan, China with Taxonomic Notes on Its Similar Sympatric Taxa.

The northwest corner of Yunnan Province, China is the world-class diversity centre of the genus Aporia Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). During our expeditions to this area in 2019 and 2020, a new species of Aporia was discovered from the upper Yangtze River valley in northwest Yunnan, China. The new taxon, A. chunhaoi sp. nov., is similar to A. lhamo (Oberthür, 1893) but can be easily identified by larger size, much paler (creamy) male hindwing, as well as different genitalic structures. Our field surveys and comparative studies also confirmed a new range of A. lhamo in the upper Yangtze River valley, and the morphological variation of this species is discussed herein.