The first cases of gynandromorphism in oil‑collecting bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae: Centridini, Tapinotaspidini)

Abstract

Here we provide descriptions of gynandromorphs of two species oil-collecting bees: Lophopedia nigrispinis and Epicharis iheringii, both with partial bilateral phenotypic asymmetry. The bees have a female phenotype predominantly on mesosoma and metasoma. The specimen of L. nigrispinis has distinct characteristics on legs, suggesting a mosaic pattern of gynandromorphism. The pollen and oil loads on legs suggest that the bee was foraging normally. The gynander specimen of E. iheringii has mostly a female phenotype, except for head, with right half female type and left half male type. The specimen of L. nigrispinis was collected foraging on flowers of Bidens sp. at Parque Nacional Iguazú, Argentina with loads of pollen on legs suggesting it was reproductive and was provisioning a nest. The specimen of Epicharis iheriingi has no evidence of any oil or pollen collection, despite its mostly female phenotype.

First record of gynandromorphism in the subfamily Dryininae (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae)

“…Anyway, it is attributed to the genus Dryinus because of the general look (prothorax mobile, elongated and disarticulated, with a transverse impression), palpal formula 6/3, ocelli present, epicnemium exposed, fore wing with three basal cells enclosed by pigmented veins, tibial spurs 1/1/2. Gynandromorphs are individuals with a mix of male and female traits (Triplehorn & Johnson, 2005;Alvarez et al, 2019;Sommaggio et al, 2021). This phenomenon is mainly caused by anomalous mitosis at the beginning of the embryo development.…”

The first gynandromorph of the Neotropical bee Megalopta amoena (Spinola, 1853) (Halictidae) with notes on its circadian rhythm

“…Gynandromorphy is a rare occurrence in which an organism presents both male and female phenotypes (Wcislo et al 2004a). Gynandromorphs have been reported in at least 140 bee species, which is only 0.7% of all bee species (Alvarez et al 2019, Prashantha et al 2019, reviewed by Wcislo et al 2004a, Michez et al 2009, Hinojosa-Díaz et al 2012. This phenomenon may offer insight into the evolution of specialized morphological traits, such as male-like morphology of female brood-parasitic bee lineages (Wcislo et al 2004a), the modified morphology of social insect castes (Yang and Abouheif 2011), and novel methods of reproduction (Aamidor et al 2018).…”

A new case of gynandromorphism in Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with an updated review of records in Xylocopinae Latreille

“…Xylocopa Latreille) (Wcislo et al 2004;Michez et al 2009;Hinojosa-Díaz et al 2012;Lucia and Gonzalez 2013;Vivallo 2015;Zama and Coelho 2017;Almeida et al 2018;Onuferko 2018;Prashantha et al 2018). Recent records have also been made in orchids bees of the genus Euglossa Latreille (Giangarelli and Sofia 2011;Hinojosa-Díaz et al 2012;Camargo and Gonçalves 2013;Suzuki et al 2014), oil-collecting bees of the tribe Centridini and Tapinotaspidini (Alvarez et al 2019), stingless bees of the genus Paratetrapedia Schwarz and sweat bees of the genus Augochlora Smith (Alvarez et al 2014).…”