Sexual dimorphism in the electric knifefish, Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Rhamphichthyidae: Gymnotiformes) / Dimorfismo sexual no peixe elétrico, Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Rhamphichthyidae: Gymnotiformes)

Sexual dimorfism refers to morphological differences between males and females of a species. It may be a result of different selection pressures acting on either or both sexes and may occur in any sexually-reproducing dioecious species, including fishes. We analyzed 63 females and 63 adult males of Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Gymnotiformes) collected by us or deposited in museum collections. Sex was identified through abdominal dissection. We measured length from snout to posterior end of anal-fin, anal-fin length, distance from anus to anal-fin origin, distance from genital papilla to anal-fin origin, body width at beginning of anal-fin, and head length. Morphometric data submitted to a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) grouped males and females according to variables related to body size (along the first component) and to head length and body height along the second and third components. Females were larger than males, whereas males had proportionally larger heads and higher bodies than females. The urogenital papilla of males and females showed differences in shape, size and relative position on the body. The female papilla was elongated horizontally, larger than that of males, and was located on a vertical line below the eye, while the papilla of the males was vertically elongated and located on a vertical line below the operculum. To our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of sexual dimorphism in a species of Rhamphichthyidae, a condition that is now known in all the currently recognized families of Gymnotiformes.(AU)

Dimorfismo sexual é caracterizado por diferenças entre machos e fêmeas de uma espécie. Pode estar presente em qualquer ser vivo dioico que se reproduza sexualmente, inclusive peixes. Analisamos 63 fêmeas e 63 machos adultos de Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Gymnotiformes) coletados por nós ou obtidos em coleções. O sexo foi determinado por dissecção abdominal. Medimos o comprimento do focinho até o final da origem da nadadeira anal, comprimento da nadadeira anal, distância da papila genital até a origem da nadadeira anal, distância do ânus até a origem da nadadeira anal, altura do corpo e comprimento da cabeça. Dados morfométricos submetidos a uma Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA) agruparam machos e fêmeas de G. rondoni em função de variáveis relacionadas ao tamanho do corpo ao longo do primeiro componente, ao comprimento da cabeça e à altura do corpo ao longo do segundo e terceiro componentes. Fêmeas foram maiores que os machos, enquanto machos tiveram a cabeça proporcionalmente maior e o corpo mais alto que as fêmeas. A papila urogenital de machos e fêmeas diferiu no formato, tamanho e posição relativa no corpo. A papila das fêmeas foi alongada horizontalmente, maior que a dos machos e localizada na linha vertical abaixo do olho, enquanto que a papila dos machos foi alongada verticalmente e localizada na linha vertical abaixo do opérculo. Até onde sabemos, esse é o primeiro caso registrado de dimorfismo sexual em uma espécie de Rhamphichthyidae, uma condição que é agora conhecida para todas as famílias atualmente reconhecidas de Gymnotiformes.(AU)

Sexual dimorphism in the electric knifefish, Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Rhamphichthyidae: Gymnotiformes)

Sexual dimorfism refers to morphological differences between males and females of a species. It may be a result of different selection pressures acting on either or both sexes and may occur in any sexually-reproducing dioecious species, including fishes. We analyzed 63 females and 63 adult males of Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Gymnotiformes) collected by us or deposited in museum collections. Sex was identified through abdominal dissection. We measured length from snout to posterior end of anal-fin, anal-fin length, distance from anus to anal-fin origin, distance from genital papilla to anal-fin origin, body width at beginning of anal-fin, and head length. Morphometric data submitted to a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) grouped males and females according to variables related to body size (along the first component) and to head length and body height along the second and third components. Females were larger than males, whereas males had proportionally larger heads and higher bodies than females. The urogenital papilla of males and females showed differences in shape, size and relative position on the body. The female papilla was elongated horizontally, larger than that of males, and was located on a vertical line below the eye, while the papilla of the males was vertically elongated and located on a vertical line below the operculum. To our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of sexual dimorphism in a species of Rhamphichthyidae, a condition that is now known in all the currently recognized families of Gymnotiformes. (AU)

Sexual associations for two species of mutillid wasps (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae), with the description of a new species of Anomophotopsis

The sexes of Pseudometocha melanocephala (Perty, 1833) and of a new species of Anomophotopsis are associated based on mating pairs found in the field and also in laboratory mating trials. The previously unknown male of Pseudomethoca melanocephala (Perty, 1833) and both sexes of Anomophotopsis quinteroi Cambra, sp. nov., are described. We present the first distribution record of P. melanocephala from Argentina. Anecdotal data on their mating behavior are also discussed.

Machos e fêmeas de Pseudomethoca melanocephala (Perty, 1833) e de uma nova espécie de Anomophotopsis foram associados com base em casais em cópula encontrados no campo e em testes em condições de laboratório. São descritos os machos de Pseudomethoca melanocephala (Perty, 1833), que até então permaneciam desconhecidos, bem como machos e fêmeas de Anomophotopsis quinteroi Cambra, sp. nov. Apresenta-se o primeiro registro de P. melanocephala para a Argentina. Dados adicionais sobre os testes de associação sexual são também apresentados.