Differences in caste dimorphism among three hornet species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): forewing size, shape and allometry

Caste shape dimorphism (CShD) has previously been studied in wasps through comparison of different body parts, originating from different imaginal discs. Using geometric morphometrics with a new protocol for measuring wings of pinned specimens from natural history collections, we tested CShD of three hornet species in an organ developed from a single imaginal disc: the forewing. Gaussian mixture models retrieved most castes and species levels, confirming that caste is an important component of wing variations in females of these hornets. Size and allometry - the influence of size on shape - contribution to wing dimorphism between castes was major, but failed to explain the entire shape dimorphism. This deviation from simple allometric scaling was not similar in the three species: in Vespa tropica, allometric directions in the shape space differed between castes, whereas in V. crabro and V. velutina, they were similar but a significant part of CShD resulted from lateral transpositions. These results clearly indicate that queens are not just enlarged workers. They also support that the different patterns of CShD may result from different developmental mechanisms. Finally, they highlight that even in a highly social group like hornets, there is still variation in caste dimorphism among species.     

Does allometry of a sexually selected ornamental trait vary with sexual selection intensity? A multi‐species test in damselflies

1. Ornaments may show hyperallometry in certain taxa, i.e. large individuals have proportionally larger ornaments than small ones. One hypothesis suggests that higher sexual selection intensity leads to steeper hyperallometric patterns.
2. This study tested whether an ornamental trait subject to both intra‐ and intersexual selection showed steeper allometric slopes than when subject solely to intrasexual selection.
3. The study employed the sexually selected male wing pigmentation of 14 calopterygid species (damselflies) that differ in sexual selection intensity (intrasexual selection versus intra‐ and intersexual selection).
4. Hyperallometry was not a uniform pattern in the study species. Furthermore, the allometric slopes did not differ between sexual selection intensities. The allometry of ornamental traits is therefore highly variable even among related species. Other selection pressures – probably species‐specific and at a local scale – acting on wing pigmentation might explain the diversity of allometric patterns.

     

鳞翅目若干迁飞昆虫翅形特征分析(英文)

对鳞翅目蛾类 2科 42种和蝶类 7科 31种昆虫的翅形进行数值分析。结果表明 ,无论是蛾类还是蝶类 ,迁飞昆虫前翅形状均具有区别于非迁飞昆虫的共同特征 ,即前翅相对窄长 ,前缘较平直 ;然而与不同的翅振模式相适应 ,蛾类与蝶类迁飞昆虫的翅形特征又有所不同 :蛾类迁飞昆虫翅外侧较宽阔 ;蝶类迁飞昆虫翅外侧较窄小。     

Avian brachial index and wing kinematics: putting movement back into bones

The relationship between wing kinematics, wing morphology and the brachial index of birds (BI=humerus length/ulna length) was examined. BI was found to differ between three groups of birds, which were classified on the basis of similar wing kinematics. In addition, a comparative analysis of a large dataset, using phylogenetically independent contrasts, suggested a significant, albeit weak, correlation between BI and four measures of wing morphology (wing loading, wing area, wing length and aspect ratio). Although wing kinematics and wing morphology are both correlated with BI in birds, the dominant selective pressure upon this ratio is probably wing kinematics. The previously identified clade specificity of BI within Neornithes is most likely because birds with similar BIs fly with kinematic similarity and closely related birds have similar flight styles. A correlation between BI and wing kinematics means that it may be possible to characterize the wing beat of fossil birds. A more robust relationship between wing morphology and BI may emerge, but only after the relationship between wing kinematics and BI is quantified. A comparative and quantitative study of wing-bone anatomy and wing kinematics is a priority for future studies of avian wing-skeleton evolution and functional morphology.     

ANALYSIS OF WING‐SHAPE CHARACTERITICS OF MIGRATORY LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS*

Abstract Morphological characteristics of the forewings of 42 species of moths and 31 species of butterflies were comparatively analyzed with special reference to their migration ability. The curvature values of costal margin of the forewings revealed that the migratory moths and butterflies have relatively narrower forewings with straighter costal margin as compared with respective non‐migratory species. The posterior area of forewings was wider in the migratory moths and narrower in the migratory butterflies than that of respective non‐migratory species.     

Improvement of Artificial Foldable Wing Models by Mimicking the Unfolding/Folding Mechanism of a Beetle Hind Wing

<正> In an attempt to realize a flapping wing micro-air vehicle with morphing wings, we report on improvements to our previousfoldable artificial hind wing.Multiple hinges, which were implemented to mimic the bending zone of a beetle hind wing, weremade of small composite hinge plates and tiny aluminum rivets.The buck-tails of rivets were flared after the hinge plates wereassembled with the rivets so that the folding/unfolding motions could be completed in less time, and the straight shape of theartificial hind wing could be maintained after fabrication.Folding and unfolding actions were triggered by electrically-activatedShape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires.For wing folding, the actuation characteristics of the SMA wire actuator were modifiedthrough heat treatment.Through a series of flapping tests, we confirmed that the artificial wings did not fold back and arbitrarilyfluctuate during the flapping motion.