Brau, Thomas

Carion, Frédéric

Flaminio, Simone

Ghisbain, Guillaume

Rosa, Paolo

ORBi UMONS

 A new case of gynandromorphism in the Halictus simplex species group (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) Thomas BRAU  Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Bioscience, University of Mons, Belgium; thomas.brau@student.umons.ac.be Paolo ROSA  Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Bioscience, University of Mons, Belgium; paolo.rosa@umons.ac.be Frédéric CARION  Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Bioscience, University of Mons, Belgium; frederic.carion@student.umons.ac.be Simone FLAMINIO  Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Bioscience, University of Mons, Belgium; simone.flaminio@umons.ac.be Guillaume GHISBAIN  Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Bioscience, University of Mons, Belgium; guillaume.ghisbain@umons.ac.be  Introduction Gynandromorphism is a condition in which an individual exhibits both male and female phenotypic traits. Among Hymenoptera, bees (Anthophila) account for numerous documented cases, with gynanders identified across six of the seven global bee families (Michez et al, 2009). Within the Halictidae, several cases have been documented (Andrewes, 1946; Hohndorf, 1931; Krichilsky et al, 2020; Leclercq, 1953; Popov, 1937; Saunders, 1901; Wcislo et al, 2004). Further discoveries of gynanders in this family can provide valuable insights into associating male and female characteristics, particularly within taxonomically challenging groups such as Halictus (Monilapis) Cockerell. Results and Discussion One Halictus Latreille gynander specimen collected in Gallinaro (Italy) on July 20th, 1983, was found in the entomological collection of the University of Mons, Belgium. This specimen is placed within the subgenus Monilapis based on its convex gena (Fig. 1c) and the prominent punctation with shiny interspaces on the propodeum laterally (Fig. 1d). The species is part of the Halictus simplex species group, in which species delineation is only possible in males. This specimen has the particularity to be a gynander with a mosaic pattern, i.e. with features distributed randomly across the body. Most tissues of the specimen exhibit female characteristics (Fig. 1a,f), while male morphological features are limited to the left antenna and to the genae, which are both convex (i.e. a male feature in the Halictus simplex group). Although the structure and length of the right antenna are typical of that of a female, with 12 properly developed articles, an emerging atrophied 13th segment can be observed, this segment being partially fused to the 12th (Fig. 1b). Furthermore, while the hind legs exhibit female structural traits, including well-developed scopa, they display a coloration typical of males (Fig. 1e). Over the past 123 years, only three instances of gynandromorphy have been documented in the genus Halictus, including in the simplex group (Blüthgen, 1923; Leclercq, 1953; Popov, 1937; Saunders, 1901). Further discovery of gynanders in this genus could be valuable opportunities for identifying new diagnostic criteria for delineating species. In the studied case, the distinct coloration and morphology of this specimen's legs also offer insights into Halictus development, indicating that the coloration and structure of legs occur as separate developmental pathways at the embryonic level. The synthesis of all variations observed in cases of gynandromorphism and teratogenesis will serve as a foundation for future research aimed at uncovering the embryological and molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena. Material https://data.canadensys.net/micropublications/resource?r=specimen_37 References Andrewes CH (1946) Gynandromorphic Halictus tumulorum. The Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, 82:46. Number 36, 9 December 2024 https://doi.org/10.56222/28166531.2024.37 Hohndorf A (1931) Ein frontaler Zwitter von Halictus tumulorum L. (Hym. Apid). Mitteilungen der deutschen Gesellschaft, E.V., 2:25. Krichilsky E, Vega-Hidalgo Á, Hunter K, Kingwell C, Ritner C, Wcislo W & Smith A (2020) The first gynandromorph of the Neotropical bee Megalopta amoena (Spinola, 1853) (Halictidae) with notes on its circadian rhythm. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 75, 97–108. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.75.47828 Leclercq J (1953) Un cas extraordinaire de gynandromorphisme chez Halictus sexcinctus (Hym. Apidae). Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, 29:1–4. Michez D, Rasmont P, Terzo M & Vereecken NJ (2009) A synthesis of gynandromorphy among wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), with an annotated description of several new cases. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (N S), 45(3), 365–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/00379271.2009.10697621 Popov VB (1937) Gynandromorphism and the effects of parasitic castration in Halictus eurygnathus Blüthgen (Hymenoptera: Apoidea). Izvestia Akademiya Nauk SSSR, 1937:481–494. Saunders E (1901) Gynandrous specimen of Halictus quadricinctus Fab. The Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, 12:278–279. Wcislo WT, Gonzalez VH, Arneson L (2004) A review of deviant phenotypes in bees in relation to brood parasitism, and a gynandromorph of Megalopta genalis (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Journal of Natural History 38: 1443–1457. https://doi.org/10.1080/0022293031000155322  Fig. 1. Studied gynander belonging to the Halictus simplex group (specimen HY-HA.0006). a) Habitus in oblique view. b) Frontal view. c) Head in lateral view. d) Propodeum in dorsal view. e) Mid and hind left legs in posterior view. f)  Typical male (red) and female (dark green) characters. The light green structures show mixed male and female characteristics.  

A new case of gynandromorphism in the Halictus simplex species group (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

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A new case of gynandromorphism in the Halictus simplex species group (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

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