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Fig. 4 | BMC Zoology

Fig. 4

From: Structure and function of the musculoskeletal ovipositor system of an ichneumonid wasp

Fig. 4

Segmented 3D model of the structures involved in the ovipositior movements in Venturia canescens. a, b Cuticular elements and muscles of the ovipositor (a, medial view, left is anterior; b lateral view, left is posterior). c Muscles involved (the cuticular structures are semi-transparent): 1st valvifer-genital membrane muscle (grey); anterior 2nd valvifer-2nd valvula muscle (pink); posterior 2nd valvifer-2nd valvula muscle (dark green); dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part a (light green); dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part b (olive); ventral T9-2nd valvifer muscle (blue); posterior T9-2nd valvifer muscle (cyan). d Selected cuticular elements involved (the ovipositor muscles are semi-transparent): 1st valvifer (orange); 2nd valvifer (yellow); 1st valvulae (pink); 2nd valvula (purple). The 3rd valvulae are not shown here. e–j Joints involved with their degrees of freedom depicted as dashed arrows. e Cuticular elements of the ovipositor and their inherent structures. f Enlarged view of rotation joints between the 1st valvifer and the 2nd valvifer (intervalvifer articulation) and between the 1st valvifer and female T9 (tergo-valvifer articulation). g Joints with assumed rotation and translation degree of freedom between the 2nd valvifer and the female T9 (assumed movements indicated by white dashed arrows, assumed rotation angle by white dashed lines). h Translational joints with tongue and groove connection between the dorsal rami of the 1st valvula and the dorsal projection of the 2nd valvifer (h1; image of the SR-μCT data stack; location of the virtual cross section is indicated in e by small number 1), and between the 1st and the 2nd valvulae via the olistheter system: the tonge-like rhachises on the ventral surface of the 2nd valvula and the corresponding grooves called aulaces along the dorsal surface of each on each of the 1st valvulae (h2; image of the SR-μCT data stack; location of the virtual cross section is indicated in e by small number 2). i Rotational joint between the 2nd valvifer and the 2nd valvula called the basal articulation (the valvifers and the female T9 are semi-transparent). j Joints and movements enabled by the 1st valvifer, which acts as a lever. Abbreviations: 1vf, 1st valvifer; 1vv, 1st valvula; 2vf, 2nd valvifer; 2vv, 2nd valvula; af9, Anterior flange of T9; asdf, Anterior section of the dorsal flange of the 2nd valvifer; ba, Basal articulation; bl, Basal line; blb, Bulb; ca, Cordate apodeme; dp2, Dorsal projection of the 2nd valvifer; dr1, Dorsal ramus of the 1st valvula; ec, Egg canal; hsl, Hook-shaped lobe of the 2nd valvifer; iar, Interarticular ridge of the 1st valvifer; iva, Intervalvifer articulation; m1, 1st valvifer-genital membrane muscle; m2, Anterior 2nd valvifer-2nd valvula muscle; m3, Posterior 2nd valvifer-2nd valvula muscle; m4a, Dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part a; m4b, Dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part b; m5, Ventral T9-2nd valvifer muscle; m6, Posterior T9-2nd valvifer muscle; mb2, Median bridge of the 2nd valvifers; oth, Olistheter; psdf, Posterior section of the dorsal flange of the 2nd valvifer; T9, Female T9; tm4b, Tendon of the dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part b; tva, Tergo-valvifer articulation

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