Interspecific morphological variation in the wood-feeding cockroach, Cryptocercus (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae)

• Published in: Arthropod structure & development Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 443 - 451
• Main Authors: Aldrich, Benjamin T., Zolnerowich, Gregory, Kambhampati, Srinivas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2004
• Subjects: Blattaria; Cryptocercus; Cryptocercus darwini; Cryptocercus garciai; Cryptocercus punctulatus; Cryptocercus wrighti; female genitalia; female reproductive system; Genitalia; insect morphology; insect taxonomy; male genitalia; male reproductive system; morphotaxonomy; setae (animal); species differences; ultrastructure; Appalachian region; Genitalia; Cryptocercus
• ISSN: 1467-8039; 1873-5495
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2004.06.005

Appalachian species of Cryptocercus (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae) display considerable genetic variation, but little morphological variation has been reported. We employed light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate variation in male and female reproductive structures among four species of Cryptocercus. Our results indicated consistent, species-specific differences exist in the genitalia of the four species. Males exhibit moderate interspecific differences in the shape of the subgenital plate and third left phallomere hook. Females display consistent interspecific differences in the size of setae on the basivalvula and great differences in size, number, and pattern of setae on the base of the second valves. Together, the interspecific variation in female reproductive structures can be used to identify each of the four Cryptocercus species that occur in the Appalachian Mountains.