Angelo Coast Range Reserve

19 Apr, 05 AM - 20 Apr, 11 AM

We propose an exploratory study to investigate the potential for directed aerial descent (gliding) in the relict silverfish species Tricholepidion gertschi (endemic to Northern California). The silverfish (Zygentoma) comprise a lineage of insects that never evolved wings or flapping flight, and T. gertschi has a number of interesting characters (retained ocelli, etc) that have led to it being classified as a very primitive member of the Zygentoma. As the Zygentoma are the sister lineage to the pterygote insects, this makes T. gertschi the closest extant insect to the presumed ancestor to winged insects. One of the greatest mysteries of insect flight concerns its origin - what were the function of early insect wings? How did insects begin their aerial existence? With the recent discovery of gliding in wingless canopy ants, we have come to realize that insects may have had an aerial component to their natural history even before wings evolved. If we are able to demonstrate that T. gertschi is capable of directed aerial descent, this result will substantially advance our understanding of how insect flight evolved.

Visit #15075 @Angelo Coast Range Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 9927 | Research

Directed aerial descent in the relict silverfish Tricholepidion gertschi

graduate_student - University of California, Berkeley

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Group of 2 Graduate Student Apr 19 - 20, 2008 (2 days)

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HQ House 2 Apr 19 - 20, 2008