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Macroevolutionary Analyses Provide New Evidence of Phasmid Wings Evolution as a Reversible Process.

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Complex traits like wings can reappear after loss in insects. Stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea) show wing evolution is reversible, with reversals linked to increased species diversification.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Phylogenetics
  • Macroevolution

Background:

  • The long-held belief that complex ancestral traits cannot be regained after loss (Dollo's law) is challenged by new evidence.
  • Wing evolution in stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea) has been a key case study in this evolutionary debate.
  • Previous studies lacked comprehensive data to fully resolve wing evolutionary patterns in this insect order.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate wing evolutionary patterns and reversals within the insect order Phasmatodea.
  • To test the hypothesis of trait reversibility in complex phenotypes using a robust phylogenetic framework.
  • To explore the relationship between wing evolution, trait loss, and species diversification rates.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a novel, comprehensive time tree for over 300 Phasmatodea species.
  • Application of macroevolutionary analyses to infer historical patterns of wing gain and loss.
  • Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the impact of reversal probability assumptions.

Main Results:

  • Multiple instances of wing loss followed by reversals to winged states were consistently inferred across analyses.
  • Wing evolution reversibility in phasmids is coupled with significantly higher species diversification rates.
  • Reduced wings (brachyptery) appear evolutionarily unstable unless adapted for non-aerodynamic functions.

Conclusions:

  • Wing evolution in Phasmatodea is a dynamic and reversible process, contradicting strict interpretations of Dollo's law.
  • Trait reversals, particularly in wings, can be associated with increased speciation.
  • Findings contribute to a broader understanding of complex trait evolution and the factors influencing evolutionary trajectories.