Brain Investigation on Sexual Dimorphism in a Gynandromorph Moth

Overview

Journal Insects

Specialty Biology

Date 2022 Mar 24

PMID 35323582

Authors

Elena Ian

Xi Chu

Bente Gunnveig Berg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The present study was dedicated to investigating the anatomical organization of distinct neuropils within the two brain hemispheres of a gynandromorphic moth of the species High quality confocal imaging of a synapsin immuno-stained preparation combined with three-dimensional reconstructions made it possible to identify several brain structures involved in processing odor input and to measure their volumes in the male and female hemispheres. Thus, in addition to reconstructing the antennal lobes, we also made digital models of the mushroom body calyces, the pedunculus, and the vertical and medial lobes. As previously reported, prominent sexual dimorphism was demonstrated in the antennal lobes via the identification of a male-specific macroglomerular complex (MGC) and a female-specific complex (Fc) in each of the two brain hemispheres of the gynandromorph. Additionally, sex-specific differences were found in volume differences for three other neuropil structures-the calyces, pedunculus, and vertical lobe. The putative purpose of larger volumes of three mushroom body neuropils in females as compared to males is discussed.

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