Eur. J. Entomol. 103 (2): 425-432, 2006 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2006.056

The male genitalia segments in fritillary butterflies: Comparative morphology with special reference to the "rectal plate" in Issoria (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Thomas J. SIMONSEN*
Department of Entomology, Natural History Museum of Denmark (Zoology), University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark

The male genitalia of the fritillary butterfly Issoria lathonia (L.) were examined and reconstructed based on sagittal and horizontal sections. Nine intrinsic muscles were identified consistent with previous results. The retractor of the anal tube probably operates the "rectal plate", a large, sclerotised, arched plate present ventral to the rectum and dorsal to the phallus in all Issoria s. str. species. The function of the rectal plate is still largely unknown, but it has presumably an important function during copulation. The retractor of the phallus inserts on the phallus, and also on a small, ventral sclerite in the anellus. The retractor of the vesica is smaller in I. lathonia than its counterpart in other Argynnini and originates more centrally inside the phallus. The tergal sclerite, common in most Argynnini, has no attaching muscle and its evolutionary origin remains unclear. The presence of an intrinsic muscle (i3) originating on the tegumen and inserting on the valve in Argynnini cannot be confirmed here. Though generally absent in butterflies, this muscle has been reported once in the North American Argynnis subgenus Speyeria.

Keywords: Issoria, male genitalia, musculature, rectal plate, comparative morphology, phylogeny

Received: January 14, 2005; Revised: April 21, 2005; Accepted: April 21, 2005; Published: April 6, 2006  Show citation

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SIMONSEN, T.J. (2006). The male genitalia segments in fritillary butterflies: Comparative morphology with special reference to the "rectal plate" in Issoria (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). EJE, 103(2), 425-432. doi: 10.14411/eje.2006.056
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