Serendith ([info]serendith) wrote in [info]zoologists,
2008-12-14 21:51:00
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Gynandromorphic butterfly!

So one of the coolest things ever happened this past saturday. A gynandromorphic Hypolimnas misippus (danaid eggfly) eclosed at the Insectarium!



I have read about gynandromorphy while in college and I am just giddy to have been onsite when one appeared.

A gynandromorph is an animal that is literally half male and half female - directly down the center. This occurs during the development of the zygote when the chromosomes don't split correctly. Basically due to non-disjunction one side of the zygote develops with an X (females are X or XY) and the other develops with an XXX (males are XX or in unusual cases XXX).

The more dramatic specimens are those where the species has sexual dimorphism - so either side is dramatically different (like my little danaid eggfly). If you look at the picture above you can see that the line down the center of the body - the right side (female) is lighter in color and the abdomen is a touch longer.

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The underside of the right (female) wing.




The underside of the left (male) wing.


*squeee!*

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  • 13 comments

[info]white_jenna

December 15 2008, 04:09:27 UTC 3 years ago

Oh, that is *so* very cool!!! Thanks for sharing!

[info]glaelia

December 15 2008, 04:10:33 UTC 3 years ago

That's awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!! :D

[info]marleenie

December 15 2008, 04:41:37 UTC 3 years ago

I'm really pleased to have learned about this! Thanks so much for squee-posting! =0)

[info]crumpetsfortea

December 15 2008, 04:43:43 UTC 3 years ago

Rocking!

[info]crumpetsfortea

December 15 2008, 04:58:46 UTC 3 years ago

Also, would you mind if I passed this on to my professor who teaches an invert diversity class? I'd pass on whatever copyright and usage info you wanted along with the photo, but it's such a cool story, and such a cool phenomenon that I am sure he'd love it.

[info]fitzbeew

December 15 2008, 05:11:24 UTC 3 years ago

same here, my old biology professor would be fascinated by this. can I link her here?

this is so awesome!! I didn't even know these things existed!

[info]serendith

December 15 2008, 08:18:59 UTC 3 years ago

Sure! Link away! Like I said above - feel free to copy paste for an email.

I was such a geek when one of my employees came and found me to tell me that there was a "half and half butterfly" (as they called it). I practically ran to the pupae room and was beyond thrilled that it was such a dramatic example!

[info]serendith

December 15 2008, 08:15:37 UTC 3 years ago

I have no problems whatsoever. If you want to copy the photo onto an email to send to him that is fine with me.

I only ask that you tell him to visit the Insectarium if he ever makes it down to New Orleans! ;)

[info]phoenixineohp

December 15 2008, 08:21:26 UTC 3 years ago

Do you mind if I add this to wtf_nature? Or you could post it there!
This is amazing.

[info]flynnacatri

December 15 2008, 09:34:21 UTC 3 years ago

That is gorgeous! And fascinating.

[info]katrinitheweeni

March 11 2009, 10:22:56 UTC 3 years ago

Fascinating and beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing. =)

[info]timcutajar

March 24 2009, 09:41:48 UTC 3 years ago

Hi:) I work at a zoo with an invertebrate section. This apparently happened once while I was there but unfortunately I never got to see the specimen. Good on you for sharing!

[info]villenxx

December 1 2009, 21:34:43 UTC 2 years ago

wow

this is absolutely amazing!
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