Genitalic attributes are key criterion in separating out species in complex groups such as Lepidoptera especially moths. There are many so called 'wide spread' species, a putative taxon that 'seems' to be spread all over distinct geographic zones (phena from these distinct zones indifferent from each other morphologically). If genitalia of such paradox populations be studied;
1 found to be same (or almost same) then ,could it be convergence ?
Is there any source for knowledge on convergence in moth genitala ? I'd be extremely thankful to anyone who can help me on this.
2 found to be distinct; divergence.
Roman Bohdan Hołyński · 5.10 · 2.21
I am not specialist in Lepidoptera, but I think some general considerations must apply to any insect group. In beetles (at least in "my"Buprestidae) the typical situation is that closely related sympatricspecies sharply differ in genitalic characers (what is perfectly understandable: the discrimination between conspecifics and aliens ["SMRS" - Specific Mate Recognition System] ]is just one of the main functions of genitalia!) while representatives of unrelated groups (orallopatric relatives) have them near-identical. So - contrary to the common practice - I suggest not to pay much attention to genialic characters in assessment of phylogenetic affinity! For more explicite argumentation see e.g. the respective chapters in my book on the subtribe Chrysochroina Cast. (: 315-316) or my (attached) dissertation on Psiloptera Dej. and its relatives (: 116-117).
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Research: HOŁYŃSKI R.B. 1999. Taxonomical, zoogeographical and phylogenetical relations among Indo-Pacific Psiloptera DEJ., Dicercomorpha DEYR., and related genera (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). [Warszawa: IZPAN – Doctor’s Dissert.]: 1-166
Roman Bohdan Hołyński
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Roman Bohdan Hołyński · 5.10 · 2.21
I am not specialist in Lepidoptera, but I think some general considerations must apply to any insect group. In beetles (at least in "my"Buprestidae) the typical situation is that closely related sympatricspecies sharply differ in genitalic characers (what is perfectly understandable: the discrimination between conspecifics and aliens ["SMRS" - Specific Mate Recognition System] ]is just one of the main functions of genitalia!) while representatives of unrelated groups (orallopatric relatives) have them near-identical. So - contrary to the common practice - I suggest not to pay much attention to genialic characters in assessment of phylogenetic affinity! For more explicite argumentation see e.g. the respective chapters in my book on the subtribe Chrysochroina Cast. (: 315-316) or my (attached) dissertation on Psiloptera Dej. and its relatives (: 116-117).
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Research: HOŁYŃSKI R.B. 1999. Taxonomical, zoogeographical and phylogenetical relations among Indo-Pacific Psiloptera DEJ., Dicercomorpha DEYR., and related genera (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). [Warszawa: IZPAN – Doctor’s Dissert.]: 1-166
Roman Bohdan Hołyński
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Roman Bohdan Hołyński
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Research HOŁYŃSKI R.B. 1999. Taxonomical, zoogeographical and phyloge...
Thank you so much Mr Holynski and Mr Telnov, much appreciated.
Sincere regards.
Perfect answer. The genitalia of closely related species very often are very different. I'ts their function! Some morphological traits are distributed in "patchy" way - for example, in Notodontidae the males of some unrelated species have similar genitalia. So, never, never, never try to use genital characters as the base of taxonomical analysis... It was a subject of my doctoral thesis ;-) Unpublished...
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- Invertebrate Zoology
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