A gynandromorph butterfly found at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Photo: J.D. Weintraub A Gynandromorph is an animal that is part male and part female. They occur when cells in part of the animal get genetic determinants for “male” and other cells have genes that condition “female” traits. Genetic determinants of sex reside on chromosomes. Chromosomes do not always segregate properly during cell division. Gynandromorphy has been observed in humans but is rare. Gynandromorphy appears in insects, but may often go unnoticed if males and females have similar coloration.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University reports a gynandromorph Lexias pardalis butterfly aka “The Common Archduke”. Males and females have different color patterns (sexual dimorphism), which makes gynandromorphs easy to recognize. This specimen has the male color pattern on the left half and the female color pattern on the right half. The butterfly was shipped as…
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