First 3-D reconstruction of copulation in Lepidoptera: interaction of genitalia in Tortrix viridana (Tortricidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The process of copulation in Lepidoptera is understudied and poorly understood from a functional perspective. The purpose of the present paper is to study the interaction of the male and female genitalia of Tortrix viridana Linnaeus, 1758 via three-dimensional models of pairs fixed during copulation. Other techniques (confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and histology) were used to clarify the role of the organs involved in the process.

Results

Three-dimensional models based on micro-CT scanned copulating pairs were generated allowing visualisation of the position of the male and female counterparts, spatial changes during copulation, and the skeleto-muscular apparatus involved in the process. The male genitalia and their musculature ar

SUBMITTER: Zlatkov B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10334621 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature