The function of wing bullae in mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) reveals new insights into the early evolution of Pterygota.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mayflies are basal winged insects of crucial importance for the understanding of the early evolution of Pterygota. Unlike all other insects, they have two successive winged stages, the subimago and the imago. Their forewings feature so-called bullae, which are desclerotized spots in the anterior main veins. Up to now, they have been considered to play a major role in wing bending during flight.

Results

We investigated bullae by multiple methods to reveal their structure and arrangement and to gain new information on the evolution of insect flight. Bullae are mostly present in the anterior negative wing veins, disrupting the otherwise rigid veins. High-speed videography reveals that mayfly wings do not bend during flight. Likewise, different arrangements of bullae

SUBMITTER: Dominguez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10666447 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature