Summary
The sternal glands of 28 species of male wasps belonging to 12 polistine genera are described. Glands and associated cuticular modifications of these males and of males described in past studies are compared to those of conspecific females. Males in species of four swarm-founding genera have glandular areas similar in morphology and location to those of females. The glands are comprised of ducted cells associated with either a bed of erect cuticular scales along the anterior edge of the fifth sternite (Metapolybia, Chartergus, andPolybia) or a band of hairs along the anterior margin of both the fifth and sixth sternites(Apoica). Ropalidia montana males have ducted gland cells on sternites five and six, rather than just on six as in congeneric females;Brachygastra augusti males have them on sternites five through seven, rather than just on five as in their conspecific females. Also unlike those of conspecific females, these glands are not associated with any cuticular modification. Species in the remaining three swarm-founding genera lack male sternal glands. Males of independent-founding genera (Mischocyttarus, Polistes, Belonogaster, andParapolybia) have glandular cells covering the posterior 2/3 or 1/2 of the sternite, rather than the anterior portion as in their congeneric females.
Zusammenfassung
Männliche Sternaldrüsen sind beschrieben für 28 Wespenarten von 12 polistinen Gattungen. Drüsen und zugehörene kutikulare Änderungen dieser und früherer beschreibten Männchen wurden mit Drüsen der konspezifischen Weibchen verglichen. Es stellte sich heraus, dass Männchen in 4 schwärmenden Gattungen Drüsen haben, die morphologisch und örtlich denen der Weibchen ähnlich sind. Diese Drüsen haben Kanäle, welche entweder mit aufrechten Schuppen am vorderen Rand des fünften Sterniten (Metapolybia, Chartergus, undPolybia) oder mit einem Band von Haaren an dem vorderen Rand des vierten und füften Sterniten (Apoica) versehen sind. Männchen vonRopalidia montana haben Kanal-Zellen auf dem fünften und sechsten Sterniten, während Weibchen solche nur auf dem sechsten Sterniten haben. Bei Männchen vorBrachygastra augusti sind Kanal-Zellen auf dem fünften, sechsten und siebten Sterniten zu finden, während die Weibchen solche nur auf dem fünften haben. Im gegensatz zu Weibchen, haben diese Drüsen keine abgeänderte Kutikula. Arten, die zu den anderen drei Schärmenden Gattungen gehören, zeigen bei Männchen keine Sternaldrüsen vor. Männchen von Gattungen, die Kolonien unabhängig gründen (Mischocyttarus, Polistes, Belonogaster, Parapolybia), haben Drüsenzellen die den hinteren 2/3 oder halben Teil des Sterniten bedecken, während bei Weibchen, diese Drüsenzellen am vorderen Teil des Sternits vorkommen.
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Downing, H.A., Post, D.C. & Jeanne, R.L. Morphology of sternal glands in male polistine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidæ). Ins. Soc 32, 186–197 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224232
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224232