Table 1 Ovipositor muscles of Venturia canescens. The muscles (abbreviations in brackets), their origin, insertion and assumed function are described. In addition, the measured volume, mean length and the mean cross section area (CSA) of the single muscles are listed
From: Structure and function of the musculoskeletal ovipositor system of an ichneumonid wasp
muscle name (label) | origin | insertion | assumed function | volume [mm3] | mean length [mm] | mean cross section area (CSA) [mm2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st valvifer-genital membrane muscle (m1) | medial surface of the posteroventral part of the 1st valvifer, in the centre between the tergo-valvifer and the intervalvifer articulation | anteriorly on the genital membrane | tensor muscle for stabilization of the 1st valvifers during ovipositor movements | 0.0001 | 0.175 | 0.0008 |
anterior 2nd valvifer-2nd valvula muscle (m2) | medial region along the anterodorsal part of the 2nd valvifer | at the processus articularis | extensor of the terebra (towards the resting position) | 0.0015 | 0.455 | 0.0032 |
posterior 2nd valvifer-2nd valvula muscle (m3) | medial region along the ventral part of the 2nd valvifer | at the processus musculares | flexor of the terebra (towards the active probing position): causes the bulb to pivot anteriorly at the basal articulation | 0.0029 | 0.760 | 0.0039 |
dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part a (m4a) | lateral region along the posterodorsal part of the anterior margin of female T9 | anterior section of the dorsal flange of the 2nd valvifer, partly at the dorsal hook-shaped lobe | protractor of the 1st valvulae: moves the 2nd valvifer posteriorly and the female T9 anteriorly towards each other, causing the 1st valvifer to tilt anteriorly and thus the 1st valvula to slide distally relative to the 2nd valvula | 0.0047 | 0.950 | 0.0050 |
dorsal T9-2nd valvifer muscle part b (m4b) | medial region along the posterodorsal part of the anterior margin of female T9 | anterior section of the dorsal flange of the 2nd valvifer via tendon, ventrally to m4a | 0.0029 | 0.740 | 0.0039 | |
ventral T9-2nd valvifer muscle (m5) | medial region of the anterodorsal part of female T9, partly on the cordate apodeme | along the posterior section of the dorsal flange of the 2nd valvifer | retractor of the 1st valvulae: moves the 2nd valvifer anteriorly and the female T9 posteriorly apart from each other, causing the 1st valvifer to tilt posteriorly and thus the 1st valvula to slide proximally relative to the 2nd valvula | 0.0062 | 0.805 | 0.0077 |
posterior T9-2nd valvifer muscle (m6) | medially from the posterodorsal part of female T9 | median bridge of the 2nd valvifers | muscle for stabilization by holding the posterior parts of the 2nd valvifers in position during ovipositor movements | 0.0004 | 0.280 | 0.0015 |