A standardized nomenclature and atlas of the female terminalia of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The model organism Drosophila melanogaster has become a focal system for investigations of rapidly evolving genital morphology as well as the development and functions of insect reproductive structures. To follow up on a previous paper outlining unifying terminology for the structures of the male terminalia in this species, we offer here a detailed description of the female terminalia of D. melanogaster . Informative diagrams and micrographs are presented to provide a comprehensive overview of the external and internal reproductive structures of females. We propose a collection of terms and definitions to standardize the terminology associated with the female terminalia in D. melanogaster and we provide a correspondence table with the terms previously used. Unifying terminology for both males and females in this species will help to facilitate communication between various disciplines, as well as aid in synthesizing research across publications within a discipline that has historically focused principally on male features. Our efforts to refine and standardize the terminology should expand the utility of this important model system for addressing questions related to the development and evolution of animal genitalia, and morphology in general.

Evolution and genomic basis of the plant-penetrating ovipositor: a key morphological trait in herbivorous Drosophilidae

“…Figure 1 b , c ). Drosophilids possess several ovipositor sensilla types, including one long hypogynial sensilla and three trichoid short hypogynial sensilla located on the inner surface of the oviscapt apex [ 16 ]. On the outer surface are hair- or peg-like ovipositor bristles (also termed hypogynial teeth), located ventrally, posteriorly and/or laterally ( figure 1 c ).…”

Trichomes on female reproductive tract: rapid diversification and underlying gene regulatory network in Drosophila suzukii and its related species

“…The oviprovector scales reside on the inner surface of the oviprovector (egg duct) in Drosophila species [ 13 ] and presumably aid egg deposition (Fig. 1 A, B).…”

“…In addition, another type of diverse trait in the internal structures of these ovipositors is noticeable. On the surface of the oviprovector (the membrane surrounding the vulva), there are scale-like polarized protrusions [ 12 ], termed as the “oviprovector scale” [ 13 ]. Although the functional role of these scales is not clear, it is likely to aid the transport and delivery of eggs onto the oviposition substrate [ 14 ].…”

Evolution of the Colocasiomyia gigantea Species Group (Diptera: Drosophilidae): Phylogeny, Biogeography and Shift of Host Use

“…Monophyly of the Gigantea Group and Its Relationship to the Cristata Group In the recent cladistic analyses of 70 morphological characters and 24 Colocasiomyia species covering all six species groups of this genus [4], the gigantea and cristata groups were supported as reciprocally monophyletic, with both forming the most derived clade in the genus. The autapomorphy that supported the monophyly of the gigantea group (i.e., the bilateral lobes of the oviscapt (corresponding to the "hypogynium" in the standardized nomenclature of Drosophila melanogaster [24])) was "fused to each other only apically" (vs. "not fused" or "fused submedially to subapically" in the other groups) and was affirmed in all the subsequently replenished members in the C. gigantea group, except for C. daiae; in this latter species, the lateral lobes of the oviscapt were found fused to each other "only subapically" [9]. This feature, together with some other morphological features of the species (e.g., lobes of oviscapt lack warts on basal half, thorax with an additional pair of dorsocentral setae, wing costa with extraordinarily long setae and male abdominal sternite VI absence) [9], may be attributable to some forms of evolutionary adaptation.…”