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Hummingbird and hawkmoth wing shape: Analysing functional convergence in analogous structures.

Benton Walters1, Yuming Liu1, Iman Fadel1

  • 1Bristol Palaeobiology Group, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.

Integrative and Comparative Biology
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Summary

Convergent evolution in hawkmoths and hummingbirds shows similar wing shapes. However, functional flight constraints appear minimal, suggesting external pressures drive this morphological convergence.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Biomechanics
  • Comparative morphology

Background:

  • Convergent evolution leads to similar traits in unrelated species.
  • Hummingbird and hawkmoth wings exhibit analogous shapes, suggesting functional adaptation.
  • Flight imposes physical constraints that can shape biological structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate functional constraints on wing planform evolution in hummingbirds and hawkmoths.
  • To compare wing shape convergence between hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and other insect groups.
  • To determine if flight mechanics or external factors are the primary drivers of morphological similarity.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical morphospace analysis was employed.
  • Performance of hummingbird and hawkmoth wings was modeled.
  • Wing shapes were compared across hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and diverse insect taxa.

Main Results:

  • Hummingbirds show strong functional constraints when compared to birds.
  • Functional constraints were less apparent when comparing hummingbirds to insects with similar flight modes.
  • Macroglossum hawkmoths displayed the least evidence of functional constraint.
  • Phylogenetic signal in hummingbird wing shapes was minimal, potentially influenced by sexual dimorphism.

Conclusions:

  • Morphological convergence between hawkmoths and hummingbirds may be driven by factors beyond flight functional constraints.
  • The degree of functional constraint on wing shape varies significantly across taxa.
  • External selective pressures likely play a substantial role in the evolution of these analogous wing forms.