Female cave insects of the genus Neotrogla have elaborate, penis-like organs called gynosomes. (Credit: Yoshizawa et al, Current Biology, via Cell Press)
Researchers have discovered four related species of cave insects in the genus Neotrogla in which females have evolved an elaborate, penis-like organ known as a gynosome. By contrast, males have a much reduced, vagina-like opening, through which they provide nutritious seminal gifts in addition to sperm. Because of the resource-poor environment of the cave, it’s advantageous for females to mate at a higher rate; the researchers speculate that this situation may have driven the evolution of the unusual mating system.
Original research paper published in the journal Current Biology on April 17, 2014.
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