Skeletomuscular system of Andrenidae: The male genitalia of Andrena and Calliopsis

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Presenting Author(s)

NS

Nathan Stearns

University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire

Co-Author(s)

Katja C. Seltmann (she/her/hers)

University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
IM

Istvan Miko

University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire

Andrenidae (Hymenoptera) are one of the largest bee families with more than 3000 described species and the family are effective pollinators in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Male genitalia of Andrenidae exhibit an enormous morphological diversity, play a crucial role in species diagnosis and exhibit a remarkably rapid and complex evolution. The andrenid male genitalia is demonstrably loaded with skeletal traits of high phylogenetic significance with largely unknown function. The relative length and shape of the penisvalvae (aedeagus), the structure bearing the genital opening, is especially diverse in different andrenid taxa. To understand the effects of genital divergence on speciation we have to be able to assess functions of different skeletal structures. This task is only possible with an understanding of the corresponding skeletal muscles that have never been described in any bee taxa. In the present study we describe the genitalic skeletomuscular system - i.e. sclerites and muscles - of Andrena crataegi and Calliopsis Andreniformis using confocal laser scanning microscopy, homologize muscles with other Aculeata and discuss putative functional differences of different male genitalia components.