Enhanced flight performance and adaptive evolution of Mesozoic giant cicadas

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Insect Flight Biomechanics

Background:

• Insect flight adaptations are crucial for evolutionary patterns, but reconstructing extinct insect flight is difficult.
• Palaeontinidae, a Mesozoic insect clade, possessed large bodies and wings, suggesting significant flight capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolution of flight performance in Palaeontinidae using an integrated approach.
• To understand the morphological and behavioral adaptations related to flight in this extinct insect group.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of morphological data to infer flight abilities.
• Reconstruction of flight performance, including speed and maneuverability.
• Examination of faunal turnover and adaptive shifts within the Palaeontinidae clade.

Main Results:

• A faunal turnover in Palaeontinidae occurred from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous.
• Significant morphological and aerodynamic improvements were observed, including increased flight speed and enhanced maneuverability.
• Evidence suggests an adaptive evolutionary response to the emergence of early birds.

Conclusions:

• Palaeontinidae exhibited remarkable adaptive evolution in flight performance.
• The findings support the hypothesis of an aerial evolutionary arms race between insects and birds.
• This study provides a case of predator-induced macroevolution impacting flight evolution in insects.