Bhagwati Gupta

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===== Penis-like organ in female insects! =====

Scientists have discovered females insects of the genus //Neotrogla// from Brazilian caves that have an elaborate penis-like organ!  

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It is the first example of sex-reversed genitalia in an animal.  The study appeared in the May 5th issue of Current Biology journal.  Read the original article ([[http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2814%2900314-5 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.022]]) for more details.  The story is also covered in [[http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27056809|BBC News]].

Females of //Neotrogla// species have a highly elaborate, large penis-like structure, termed 'gynosome'.  The gynosome is erectile and has numerous spines that fit in the male vagina-like genital chamber.  Mating lasts 2-3 days (~40-70 hrs) and during this process females suck out sperm and other, potentially nutritious, fluids from the male genital chamber via the gynosome.

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Neotrogla copulation (female is on top) (Source: [[http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27056809|BBC News]])
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Neotrogla female gynosome (Source: [[http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27056809|BBC News]])
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