Morphological characterization of the genital armature of male and female hybrids from crosses between Glossina palpalis palpalis and Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera: Glossinidae)

Abstract

The subspecies Glossina palpalis palpalis (Gpp)  originating from Nigeria and Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Gpg) originating from Burkina Faso could be separated morphometrically based upon the width of the terminal dilatations of the male inferior claspers. Intermediate values were obtained for male hybrids, but the average size of the head of the parameres was significantly determined by maternal descendance, i.e. the average width of the head of the inferior claspers of male hybrids from Gpg x Gpp cross was significantly larger than that of hybrids from the reciprocal cross. Morphological characters of the inferior claspers of the male hybrids were distinctly different depending on the cross. The dorsal plates of the genital armature of female Gpg were significantly longer but less wide than those of female Gpp. Both subspecies could be separated with a minimal overlap (7%) by plotting the length of the dorsal plates against their width. Female hybrids of Gpp x Gpg cross had dorsal plates which were significantly longer and wider than those of hybrids from the reciprocal cross.