gonarcus

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From gon- +‎ Latin arcus (arc, bow).

Noun

[edit]

gonarcus

  1. (zoology) An arched structure that is a principal feature of the male genitalia of some insects.
    • 1961, Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin A[1], page 49:
      The gonarcus (fig. 5) is situated internally between the anal segment and the ninth sternite.
    • 1988, Neuroptera International, Volume 5 - Volume 7, Issue 2, page 60,
      Its shape is related to the structure of the gonarcus-parameres complex and of the coaptation structures which exist between this complex and the subgenital plate.
    • 2005, David Grimaldi, Evolution of the Insects[2], page 341:
      Defining features of the Neuroptera include the association of the ninth gonocoxites with the gonarcus and the peculiar sucking-mandibulate mouthparts of the larvae (U. Aspock et al., 2001).