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Related Experiment Video

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Building an Enhanced Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Insect Flight
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Surface-skimming stoneflies: a possible intermediate stage in insect flight evolution.

J H Marden, M G Kramer

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |October 21, 1994
    PubMed
    Summary

    Surface skimming, a nonflying locomotion using wing flapping on water, may reveal how insect wings evolved from aquatic gills. This method works even with reduced wing size and power, suggesting it was key for early insect evolution.

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    Area of Science:

    • Evolutionary biology
    • Insect morphology
    • Biomechanics

    Background:

    • Insect wings are hypothesized to have evolved from aquatic gills.
    • The intermediate stages of this evolution are not well understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe a nonflying, aerodynamic locomotion used by aquatic insects called surface skimming.
    • To investigate the potential role of surface skimming in the evolution of insect wings.

    Main Methods:

    • Observation of surface skimming behavior in aquatic insects.
    • Analysis of wing area and muscle power output in stoneflies performing surface skimming.

    Main Results:

    • Surface skimming involves wing flapping for thrust while maintaining water contact for support.
    • Stoneflies exhibit reduced wing areas and muscle power during surface skimming.
    • This suggests the feasibility of surface skimming with primitive wing structures.

    Conclusions:

    • Surface skimming is a viable nonflying locomotion for aquatic insects.
    • This behavior could represent an intermediate stage in insect wing evolution from aquatic gills.
    • It supports the hypothesis that early insects could develop wings with limited resources.