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Structural constraints of secondary asymmetry in male external genitalia of Noctuidae

Structural constraints of secondary asymmetry in male external genitalia of Noctuidae The basic architecture of the external genitalia of Noctuidae (“genital capsula”) is bilaterally symmetric. Secondary asymmetry is well-known in different subfamilies and tribes. We review and interpret the functions and processes which may be responsible for secondary asymmetry (i.e., dissymmetry) of these structures in terms of structural vs. behavioural working hypotheses. We consider the genital structures as correlated elements of a complex structure (“bauplan”) in which some changes in details can be explained by selection due to optimization of the reproductive success. Major pathways of changes are, however, delimited by some structural constraints which appear in parallel in different phyletic lines of trifine Noctuidae. One of these constraints is the subsistence of symmetry in structures with own musculature. On the other hand, some rigid parts without own musculature can evolve more rapidly and divergently in connection with the different allocation of functions. Such asymmetric structures may have some selective advantages due to the more effective stimulation, on one side, and fixation of genital parts during copulation, on the other. Asymmetric structures can effectively enhance the variations of the spatial geometry but without change of the “bauplan” which can be preserved in parallel in different taxonomical groups. It means that the originally symmetric “bauplan” with its homologies can be considered as a phyletic “heritage”, while the functional dissymmetrisation driven by selective optimization is the “habitus” in which numerous homoplasies can occur. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Insect Systematics & Evolution Brill

Structural constraints of secondary asymmetry in male external genitalia of Noctuidae

Insect Systematics & Evolution , Volume 44 (3-4): 349 – Jan 1, 2013

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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 2013 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
Subject
Articles
ISSN
1399-560X
eISSN
1876-312X
DOI
10.1163/1876312X-04402001
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The basic architecture of the external genitalia of Noctuidae (“genital capsula”) is bilaterally symmetric. Secondary asymmetry is well-known in different subfamilies and tribes. We review and interpret the functions and processes which may be responsible for secondary asymmetry (i.e., dissymmetry) of these structures in terms of structural vs. behavioural working hypotheses. We consider the genital structures as correlated elements of a complex structure (“bauplan”) in which some changes in details can be explained by selection due to optimization of the reproductive success. Major pathways of changes are, however, delimited by some structural constraints which appear in parallel in different phyletic lines of trifine Noctuidae. One of these constraints is the subsistence of symmetry in structures with own musculature. On the other hand, some rigid parts without own musculature can evolve more rapidly and divergently in connection with the different allocation of functions. Such asymmetric structures may have some selective advantages due to the more effective stimulation, on one side, and fixation of genital parts during copulation, on the other. Asymmetric structures can effectively enhance the variations of the spatial geometry but without change of the “bauplan” which can be preserved in parallel in different taxonomical groups. It means that the originally symmetric “bauplan” with its homologies can be considered as a phyletic “heritage”, while the functional dissymmetrisation driven by selective optimization is the “habitus” in which numerous homoplasies can occur.

Journal

Insect Systematics & EvolutionBrill

Published: Jan 1, 2013

Keywords: Genital capsula; dissymmetrisation; saccular process; parallel changes; phylogenetic “bauplan”

References