A standardized nomenclature and atlas of the female terminalia of Drosophila melanogaster

Eden W. McQueen, Mehrnaz Afkhami, Joel Atallah, John M. Belote, Nicolas Gompel, Yael Heifetz, Yoshitaka Kamimura, Shani C. Kornhauser, John P. Masly, Patrick O’Grady, Julianne Peláez, Mark Rebeiz, Gavin Rice, Ernesto Sánchez-Herrero, Maria Daniela Santos Nunes, Augusto Santos Rampasso, Sandra L. Schnakenberg, Mark L. Siegal, Aya Takahashi, Kentaro M. TanakaNatascha Turetzek, Einat Zelinger, Virginie Courtier-Orgogozo, Masanori J. Toda, Mariana F. Wolfner, Amir Yassin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The model organism Drosophila melanogaster has become a focal system for investigations of rapidly evolving genital morphology as well as the development and functions of insect reproductive structures. To follow up on a previous paper outlining unifying terminology for the structures of the male terminalia in this species, we offer here a detailed description of the female terminalia of D. melanogaster. Informative diagrams and micrographs are presented to provide a comprehensive overview of the external and internal reproductive structures of females. We propose a collection of terms and definitions to standardize the terminology associated with the female terminalia in D. melanogaster and we provide a correspondence table with the terms previously used. Unifying terminology for both males and females in this species will help to facilitate communication between various disciplines, as well as aid in synthesizing research across publications within a discipline that has historically focused principally on male features. Our efforts to refine and standardize the terminology should expand the utility of this important model system for addressing questions related to the development and evolution of animal genitalia, and morphology in general.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)128-151
Number of pages24
JournalFly
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Genitalia
  • anatomy
  • nomenclature
  • terminalia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Insect Science

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