open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/45188

The evolution of genitalia in the Drosophila melanogaster species group : a review on the studies of genital functions

日本語

2011-03-31

Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University

Low Temperature Science

69

39-50

Animal genitalia, especially those of males, generally evolve more rapidly compared to other morphological traits. The driving forces underlying such evolutionary trends are much debated. In the present article, we review evolutionary and functional studies on the genitalia of drosophilid flies (Diptera) belonging to the Drosophila melanogaster species group. Despite that the male genitalia of this group show astonishing diversity, previous studies failed to detect any species-specific differences in female morphology that corresponded to interspecific differences in the male genital morphology. However, recent discovery of copulatory wounding behavior, that is, the phenomenon that male genitalia inflict wounds on the genitalia of the mate,enabled us to identify counter-evolutions in the female genitalia. Such diversification in the female genitalia is mainly represented as modifications in the soft membraneous regions. With description of a newly developed transparentizing technique of mating pairs, we discuss the potential of this species group to be a model research system of genital evolution.

紀要論文

Version of Record

1880-7593