First Case of Gynandromorphism in the Orchid Bee Euglossa viridissima Friese, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in El Salvador

Authors

  • Francisco Javier Castaneda Lúe chool of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
  • Esther Noemi Juárez Alvarado chool of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
  • Rafael Edenilson Alvarado School of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
  • Jairo Galileo Marroquín Elías School of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4948-223X
  • José Nilton Menjivar Fuentes School of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
  • Miguel Angel Moreno Mendoza School of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador. Structural Bioinformatics and Biomarkers Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9220-1015

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i2.12019

Keywords:

gynander, deviant phenotype, sexual dimorphism

Abstract

The first case of gynandromorphism in the orchid bee Euglossa viridissima Friese is described and illustrated. A specimen collected in Popotlán, El Salvador, using an aromatic (eugenol) bait trap, exhibits a marked bilateral gynandromorphic pattern and a mild mixed pattern. The left side of the body exhibits male phenotypic characteristics, while the right side exhibits female characteristics. Asymmetries in the head (ivory markings and mandible), mesosoma (middle and hind legs), and metasoma are detailed. These gynandromorphic findings were compared with a regular male of the species, specifically the head and metasoma. This finding corresponds to the ninth case of this anomaly reported for the genus Euglossa, the eleventh for the tribe Euglossini, the first for the species E. viridissima, and the first record of a gynandromorphic bee for El Salvador.

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References

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Published

2026-04-14

How to Cite

Lúe, F. J. C., Alvarado, E. N. . J., Alvarado, R. E., Marroquín Elías, J. G., Menjivar Fuentes, J. N., & Moreno Mendoza, M. A. (2026). First Case of Gynandromorphism in the Orchid Bee Euglossa viridissima Friese, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in El Salvador. Sociobiology, 73(2), e12019. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i2.12019