We examined the reproductive systems, including genitalia, of 10 species of Geotrupini from Mexico. Females of all examined species have six ovarioles in each ovary. Spermathecae and genitalia of all species are similar. The genital plates show marked morphological differences at the species level, and thus may be useful as specific characters in taxonomic studies. Males of all of the examined species have six follicles per testicle. The aedeagus is variable across species and is used to distinguish species.
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21 June 2010
Comparative Study of Mexican Geotrupini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae) Reproductive Systems, with Taxonomic Commentaries
M. Imelda Martínez,
Nuria Trotta-Moreu
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Aedeagus
Ceratotrupes
genital plates
genitalia
Geotrupes
spermathecae