Abstract
The Gerridae (Hemiptera: Insecta) is a worldwide family whose constituent species exhibit dramatic interand intraspecific variation in the degree of winglessness (Brinkhurst, 1960; Vepsaliiinen, 1978; Calabrese, 1979). At one extreme, the family contains species which are fully winged in all populations and during all seasons, while several species consist almost exclusively of wingless morphs over large geographical ranges and during all seasons. Many species exhibit the intermediate case of wing-polymorphism: the occurrence of various combinations of fully winged, partially winged and/or wingless morphs in the same population at the same time. Various wing-polymorphic species show differing patterns of spatial and/or temporal changes in morph ratios and patterns may vary both interand intraspecifically. The dramatic differences in frequency of winged morphs pose intriguing questions regarding the evolutionary forces responsible for degree of winglessness and the relationship between degree of winglessness and genetic structure of waterstrider species. One might expect genetic structure to be strongly influenced by degree of winglessness via reduction of flight dispersal ability and consequent reduced gene flow. Thus, species composed almost exclusively of wingless individuals should exhibit patterns of marked genetic differ-
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
