Shorter Wings Research Articles

Research on Load Correlation of Blunt Headed Aircraft

Abstract In order to study the influencing factors of static and dynamic loads on short blunt body balanced wing structures in the external atmospheric environment, and to avoid and prevent structural overload and damage, this paper conducted load tests on short blunt body structures and conducted load correlation analysis. This article establishes a dynamic load testing method for internal excitation and measurement, which is more suitable for dynamic load measurement of small structures compared to traditional wind tunnel testing techniques. On this basis, the influencing factors of dynamic loads were studied. By measuring and changing the Mach number, angle of attack, model frequency, and aerodynamic damping data of the model flight, the influence of the above variables on the static and dynamic loads of the model was obtained. The experimental results indicate that the established measurement technique can accurately and effectively obtain static and dynamic test results of the structure. Pneumatic damping is negatively correlated with dynamic loads, with a correlation coefficient of around -0.8. The Mach number and angle of attack are positively correlated with dynamic loads, with a correlation coefficient of around 0.98. This article establishes a new wind tunnel testing and measurement method, analyzes the influencing factors of dynamic loads, and is of great significance for dynamic load measurement and the design of new aircraft.

Divergent ornamentation within a single population of the barn swallow.

Differential migration strategies favour different sets of characteristics, including sexually selected ornamentation. Such phenotypic variation is particularly evident in a population with partial migration, where migrants and nonmigrants co-exist. Partial migration provides insights into the link among migration, local environment, and ornamentation, although empirical studies remain scarce. Here, we studied the plumage traits of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) in southern Japan, where both winterings and migrants breed sympatrically. We further examined this relationship with multiple isotopes (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S), which provides insight into their moulting habitat. Among males, winterings and migrants differed in their morphological traits: wintering males had shorter wings, which suggests the high demand for flight apparatus in migratory birds. Moreover, wintering males had larger white tail spots and less colourful throat patches than migratory males, indicating ornament divergence between them. Wintering males had a significantly smaller isotopic space when examining the combinations of δ34S with the other isotopes compared to migratory males, which indicates a differential geographic range between them, perhaps because of the limited variation in the distance to the sea in wintering males. As in males, wintering females had a significantly smaller isotopic space than migrant females, but there were few morphological differences between migratory and wintering females. Instead, some morphological traits were related to isotope values in females. These results indicate sex-specific linkage among migration, local environment, and ornamentation.

Types and Fecundity of Neotenic Reproductives Produced in 5-Year-Old Orphaned Colonies of the Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes domesticus (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae)

Orphaned colonies of Cryptotermes domesticus readily produce replacement reproductives and continue propagation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the production and fecundity of neotenic reproductives in 5-year-old colonies of C. domesticus after orphaning. All 15 experimental colonies were successfully re-established by the neotenic reproductive pair. Three types of neotenic reproductives with various wing-bud lengths were observed: type I with micro wing buds, type II with short wing buds, and type III with long wing buds. Four patterns of pairs made up of these neotenics, namely, type I + type II, type I + type III, type II + type II, and type II + type III, exhibited reproductive capacities similar to those of the primary reproductive pair. We speculated that these neotenic reproductives were derived from various nymphal instars. The 5-year-old colonies had three instars of nymphs, with the majority being in the second instar, followed by the first. Thus, the combination of neotenic reproductives with short wing buds and micro wing buds was the dominant differentiation pathway of the orphaned colonies. After the removal of the original primary reproductive pair, the nymphs matured into neotenic reproductives and took over reproduction in the colony in 107.40 ± 15.18 days. This study highlights the importance of quarantine and routine inspection of wood, as well as the significance of early prevention and control of C. domesticus infestation in wood. Moreover, this study confirms the high differentiation and reproductive capacities of C. domesticus.

A new species of Conocephalus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae) from Argentina with extraordinarily broad-band ultrasound calling song.

Conocephalus tuyu sp. nov. belonging to Xenocerculus subgen. nov., is described from grassland among the sand dunes of the Atlantic coast of Buenos Aires Province. The unique species can be recognized by its extremely short wings, the reddish brown dorsal band, and the curious male cerci with a very long, inward-pointing spine at the tip. The entirely ultrasound calling song of the male shows an extraordinarily broad spectrum reaching 90 kHz. Ecology and possible distribution are discussed.

Evaluation of Different Fixation Methods Combinations After L-Shaped Osteotomy Reduction Malarplasty: An In Vitro Biomechanical Study.

This in vitro study compared the stability of different fixation method combinations for the zygomatic complex after simulated L-shaped osteotomy reduction malarplasty, a common facial contouring surgery in East Asia with high postoperative complications due to poor fixation methods. The study used 108 zygoma replicas with various fixation methods combinations in the zygomatic body (L-shaped plate with short wing on zygoma and on the maxilla, two bicortical screws, one bicortical screw with L-shaped plate, square plate, and rectangular plate) and zygomatic arch (Mortise-Tenon structure, 3-hole plate, and Mortise-Tenon structure plus short screw). The failure force under incremental load was applied through the Instron tensile machine to a well-stabilized model using a rubber band simulating the masseter muscle and recorded the increasing force digitally. ANOVA test was used for comparison between recorded values (P < 0.05). The results showed that the most stable combination was a six-hole rectangular plate and a Mortise-Tenon structure plus one short screw (358.55 ± 51.64 N/mm2). The results also indicated that the placement vector of the fixation methods around the L-shaped osteotomy and the use of the two-bridge fixation method were important factors in enhancing the stability of the zygomatic complex. The study suggested that surgeons should choose appropriate fixation methods based on these factors to reduce postoperative complications and improve surgical outcomes. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Unraveling biotypes of the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae): molecular differentiation and morphometric analysis.

Geometric morphometrics was used to determine whether geographic isolation could explain differences in wing size and shape between and within continental (27°S to 41°S) and insular (Rapa Nui) populations of Culex pipiens s.s. Linnaeus and their biotypes (f. pipiens and f. molestus). Molecular protocols based on polymorphisms in the second intron of nuclear locus ace-2 (acetylcholinesterase-2) were used to differentiate Cx. pipiens s.s. from Cx. quinquefasciatus Say, and an assay based on polymorphisms in the flanking region of a microsatellite locus (CQ11) was used to identify biotypes. Culex pipiens f. molestus and hybrids shared larval habitats in all continental sites, while Cx. pipiens f. pipiens was found in 5 of the 10 sites. Only biotype molestus was found in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Pipiens and molestus biotypes occur sympatrically in aboveground locations, and only molestus was found in the underground site (ME). Biotype molestus was dominant in rural locations and preferably anthropophilic. These results agree with the ecological descriptions previously reported for the biotypes of Cx. pipiens s.s. Procrustes ANOVA only showed differences in centroid size between biotypes in females and males and did not show significant differences in wing shape. However, we found significant differences among the geographic areas in the centroid size and wing shape of both females and males. Particularly, the population of Rapa Nui Island had shorter wings than the continental populations. The results highlight the effects of geographic and environmental processes on morphotypes in vector mosquitoes.

Denture-induced fibromatous hyperplasia - case report

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Introduction.&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; Denture-induced fibrous hyperplasia (DFH) is a reactive lesion that occurs as a result of chronic trauma caused by the denture on the oral mucosa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Case report.&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; A female patient, 56 years old, reported to the Specialist Center for Dentistry at the Faculty of Medicine in Foča for the fabrication of complete dentures. She wore previous complete dentures for about 25 years and complained about their age and discoloration. Clinically, both dentures were poorly retained and stabilized by short wings, with pronounced signs of wear. Denture hygiene was poor. Multiple folds of hyperplasic connective tissue were observed in oral cavity upper vestibule mucosa. The lesion folds were pink and firm, corresponding to denture edges. Based on the anamnesis and clinical examination, a temporary diagnosis of denture-induced hyperplasia was made. The patient was informed about clinical condition assessment as well as possible therapeutic procedures and gave written consent to accept the offered therapeutic procedures. She was advised not to wear dentures for four weeks and to maintain proper oral hygiene. After that, the hyperplasia was surgically removed under local anesthesia. A tissue sample was sent for pathohistological analysis. A new pair of total dentures was made. Removed tissue pathohistological examination confirmed the diagnosis: &amp;amp;ldquo;Epulis fissuratum&amp;amp;rdquo;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Conclusion.&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; Education and regular check-ups are essential for the prevention of DFH. Patients should be given detailed oral and written instructions on oral and denture hygiene maintenance, with special reference to possible changes in oral tissues and the importance of regular follow-ups.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

Evolutionary divergence of body size and wing and leg structure in relation to foraging mode in Darwin’s Galapagos finches

Abstract The wings, legs, and tail in Darwin’s finches show many clear adaptations to different types of locomotion used during foraging. We use size scaling to analyse how various characters vary with body mass to clarify dimensional relationships. The selective advantage of a character is judged in terms of energy savings. The wing aspect ratio (4.6–4.9) is very low, so the energy costs for flight are high. Low body mass, low wing loading, and short arm wings in the warbler finch, small tree finch, and small ground finch promote agility and manoeuvrability among vegetation, along with short wings in the warbler finch. Evolution towards a shorter arm wing seems to be favoured in the smaller finch species. Long legs, long toes, and long curved claws are adaptations for climbing/clinging locomotion without tail support (woodpecker finch, small and large tree finches, cactus finch but having short legs). Selection for longer legs seems to act towards a lengthening of the tarsometatarsus. The climbing technique in the woodpecker finch is described. We discuss how the diversification in the beaks relates to the locomotion organs.

Cell death and wing reduction during the metamorphosis of sex-specific flightless morphs in winter geometrid moths.

Winter geometrid moths show striking sexual dimorphism by having female-specific flightless morphs. The evolutionary grades of wing reduction in winter geometrid moths vary and range from having short wings, vestigial wings, to being wingless. Although the ontogenetic processes underlying the development of the wingless or short-wing morphs in Lepidoptera has been well studied, the mechanisms underlying the development of vestigial wing morphs in winter geometrid moths during metamorphosis are poorly understood. In the winter geometrid moth Sebastosema bubonaria Warren, 1896, the males have functional wings, but the females have vestigial wings. Here, we studied the ontogenetic processes affecting wing reduction in the winter geometrid moth S. bubonaria using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and compared the ontogenetic process of wing reduction in this species with that in another species of the wingless-female winter moth that we investigated previously. Our results showed that, in the vestigial-wing morphs, the loss of pupal wing epithelium was terminated in the middle of the wing degeneration process, whereas in the wingless morph, the pupal wing epithelium disappeared almost completely and the final appearance of the wings differed slightly among flightless morphs. We propose that the extent and location of cell death in the pupal wing play an important role in the various patterns of reduced wings that are observed in flightless moths.

A small penguin cranium (Aves, Spheniscidae) from the Late Miocene of Bahía Inglesa Formation, Atacama Desert, Northern Chile

A new cranium of penguin from the Late Miocene of the Bahía Inglesa Formation (Northern Chile) is described here. Specimen SGO.PV.22245 exhibits a unique combination of characters that suggests it belongs to a new species of either Eudypula Bonaparte, 1856, Spheniscus Brisson, 1760, or more probably to a more basal taxon related to them. The specimen is notably smaller than the fossil species of Spheniscus and more similar in size to the extant Spheniscus. The fossa glandulae nasalis narrows caudally, the crista nuchalis transversa and the crista temporalis are expanded like short wings, and a short crista nuchalis sagittalis connects with the rounded and cranially projected eminentia cerebellaris. The fossa temporalis is subtriangular and deeper caudally and the cranial roof is widely expanded. All these features approach the condition to some species of Spheniscus and Eudyptula. However, because of the incompleteness of the material and the fact that it cannot be compared with some fossil species of Spheniscus only known through postcranial material, we are not able to provide a more accurate assignment.

Functional characterization of five developmental signaling network genes in the white-backed planthopper: Potential application for pest management.

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera) is a major rice pest that exhibits condition dependent wing dimorphisms - a macropterous (long wing) form and a brachypterous (short wing) form. Although, the gene cascade that regulates wing development and dimorphic differentiation has been largely defined, the utility of these genes as targets for pest control has yet to be fully explored. Five genes typically associated with the developmental signaling network, armadillo (arm), apterous A (apA), scalloped (sd), dachs (d), and yorkie (yki) were identified from the WBPH genome and their roles in wing development assessed following RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown. At 5 days-post injection, transcript levels for all five targets were substantially decreased compared with the dsGFP control group. Among the treatment groups, those injected with dsSfarm had the most pronounced effects on transcript reduction, mortality (95 ± 3%), and incidence (45 ± 3%) of wing deformities, whereas those injected with dsSfyki had the lowest incidence (6.7 ± 4%). To assess the utility of topical RNAi for Sfarm, we used a spray-based approach that complexed a large-scale, bacteria-based double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) expression pipeline with star polycation (SPc) nanoparticles. Rice seedlings infested with third and fourth instar nymphs were sprayed with SPc-dsRNA formulations and RNAi phenotypic effects were assessed over time. At 2 days post-spray, Sfarm transcript levels decreased by 86 ± 9.5% compared with dsGFP groups, and the subsequent incidences of mortality and wing defects were elevated in the treatment group. This study characterized five genes in the WBPH developmental signaling cascade, assessed their impact on survival and wing development via RNAi, and developed a nanoparticle-dsRNA spray approach for potential field control of WBPH. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and larvicidal potentiality of Lantana camara red petals collected from wad Medani City, Gezira State, Sudan

Plants are a major source of medicine with a variety of biological deliberations, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal activities. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical and GC-MS composition, in addition to the larvicidal potentiality of Lantana camara red petals collected from Wad Medani city, Gezira State, Sudan. The dried granules of red petals samples of L. camara were used to run the phytochemical screening tests, whereas the counterpart ethanol extract was used for the GC-MS analysis and the larvicidal potentiality and the morphological deformities using Anopheles arabiensis Patton and Culex quinquefasciatus Say larvae. The results of these tests showed that, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids were presented in the red petals of L. camara, whereas, alkaloids, glycosides, saponnins and tannins were not detected. The GC-MS identified 42 compounds from the ethanol extract of the red petals, of which Benzyl beta d-glucoside (23.83%), 6-O-acetyl-1[[4-bromophenyl]thio]-beta- (10.12%), Galactopyranoside,1-octylthio-1-deoxy- (9.28%) and the terpenoids caryophyllene (1.40%), Beta-curcumene (1.66%) and Trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (1.72%) were the main components. At the concentration of 1120 mg/L of red ethanol extract, 50% of Anopheles, and 47.5% of Culex larvae were survived after 24 hour, but after 7 days, no one larva of Anopheles nor Culex were survived. The deformation monitored on mosquitoes larvae that submitted to Lantana red flowers were dark and swelled bodies, dark guts, loose bodies, dead and stretched body-pupae, in addition to dead emerged adults and emergence of short wings adults.

Purriato is a conserved small open reading frame gene that interacts with the CASA pathway to regulate muscle homeostasis and epithelial tissue growth in Drosophila.

Recent advances in proteogenomic techniques and bioinformatic pipelines have permitted the detection of thousands of translated small Open Reading Frames (smORFs), which contain less than 100 codons, in eukaryotic genomes. Hundreds of these actively translated smORFs display conserved sequence, structure and evolutionary signatures indicating that the translated peptides could fulfil important biological roles. Despite their abundance, only tens of smORF genes have been fully characterised; these act mainly as regulators of canonical proteins involved in essential cellular processes. Importantly, some of these smORFs display conserved functions with their mutations being associated with pathogenesis. Thus, investigating smORF roles in Drosophila will not only expand our understanding of their functions but it may have an impact in human health. Here we describe the function of a novel and essential Drosophila smORF gene named purriato (prto). prto belongs to an ancient gene family whose members have expanded throughout the Protostomia clade. prto encodes a transmembrane peptide which is localized in endo-lysosomes and perinuclear and plasma membranes. prto is dynamically expressed in mesodermal tissues and imaginal discs. Targeted prto knockdown (KD) in these organs results in changes in nuclear morphology and endo-lysosomal distributions correlating with the loss of sarcomeric homeostasis in muscles and reduction of mitosis in wing discs. Consequently, prto KD mutants display severe reduction of motility, and shorter wings. Finally, our genetic interaction experiments show that prto function is closely associated to the CASA pathway, a conserved mechanism involved in turnover of mis-folded proteins and linked to muscle dystrophies and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this study shows the relevance of smORFs in regulating important cellular functions and supports the systematic characterisation of this class of genes to understand their functions and evolution.

Dwarfism in a Seba’s short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata, with comments on its flight aerodynamics

We describe the first known case of disproportionate dwarfism in bats. The specimen is an adult male Seba’s short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758), captured in a ground-level mist net during a survey in a lowland Atlantic Forest area in southeastern Brazil. Examination of the specimen skull showed craniofacial anomalies, including microdontia in the upper incisors, oligodontia in the third upper molars, fusion of the nasal septum and the left ventral nasal concha, and a narrower foramen magnum. Post-cranial changes were mainly related to shortened radius, tibia, and metacarpals, compared to the reference sample in multivariate space. Given its unusual morphology with short wings and average body mass, the dwarf would have higher wing loading, fly faster, require more power to fly, and have a shorter flight range compared to the species pattern. Because it presented good body condition and reached adulthood, possible mechanisms of functional compensation are discussed.

Wing morphology is related to niche specialization and interaction networks in stenodermatine bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Abstract Plant–animal interactions constitute some of the most important ecological processes for the maintenance of tropical forests. Bats are the only group of mammals capable of true flight and have been recognized as important dispersers of pioneer and secondary successional plant species. Although progress has been made in the study of Neotropical bats, morphological variation of the wing and its influence on niche separation between species is unknown. We evaluated relationships among habitat structures of selected Colombian tropical dry forest patches, the diet through interaction networks, and wing morphology of 11 species of bats in the Stenodermatinae subfamily (297 individuals) using geometric morphometry in a phylogenetic context. The results indicate that the phylogenetic signal for wing size is greater than for wing shape, thus providing some evidence for evolutionary convergence. Wing shape variation was associated primarily with the distal anatomical tip of the third finger and the joint between the humerus and the radius and ulna. Species with wide, short wings, as in the genus Artibeus had generalist diets and less nested positions within the interaction networks. In contrast, species with elongated and pointed wings, such as Sturnira and Platyrrhinus, had specialized diets and more nested positions within the interaction networks. We argue that wing shape variation may play an important role as a source of interspecific variation leading to food specialization within tropical bat communities.

Y-Columellar Strut Graft: A Method for Reconstructing the Nasal Tip in Primary and Revision Rhinoplasty.

Several techniques have been proposed to modify tip shape and projection, both in congenital and in acquired nasal tip deformities. The authors describe a novel technique, the Y-columellar strut graft (Y-strut), which uses auricular cartilage to increase tip projection and restore contour in primary or revision rhinoplasty. Thirty-seven patients with congenital, acquired, or iatrogenic nasal tip malformation underwent reconstruction with Y-strut using short or long upper limbs ("wings"). The short wing variant was used to increase tip projection in primary rhinoplasty, and the long wing variant was used to corrected iatrogenic deformities of alar cartilages in revision rhinoplasty, improving contour and projection. Frontal, oblique, and lateral views before and after surgery were analyzed in blinded fashion at 1 year for tip shape and projection. Statistical analyses compared demographic characteristics, deformity type, and nasolabial angle before and after surgery to evaluate aesthetic outcome. All patients demonstrated improved nasal tip position. The Y-strut increased the nasolabial angle, reflecting tip rotation, and findings were independent of type or location of deformity ( P < 0.00001). No statistically significant differences were observed in comparisons of the short- versus long-wing technique. Three patients with congenital nasal tip malformations showed mild tip deviation at 1-year follow-up, and one had mild dorsal irregularity unrelated to grafting; no negative outcomes were observed in revision rhinoplasty patients. The Y-columellar strut graft is a reliable and versatile rhinoplasty technique using paired, symmetric grafts fashioned from auricular cartilage to correct tip deformities. Therapeutic, IV.

Mate choice for body size leads to size assortative mating in the Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans.

Understanding evolutionary phenomena that involve size assortative mating requires elucidating the generating mechanisms on which assortment is based. Although various mechanisms have been suggested, their relative importance may differ across taxonomic groups. Males selecting for large, fecund females combined with the dominance of large males in the competition for females has been suggested as a major mechanism in specific groups. However, raptors do not appear to conform to this, because the selection for smallness among males (assumed in a theory of reversed sexual size dimorphism) and the selection for largeness among males (assumed in the theory of size assortative mating) are in opposite directions. We studied the assortative mating during a long-term study of the Ryukyu Scops Owls Otus elegans interpositus. Significant assortative mating was found for culmen length (from the base to the tip of the bill) and wing length (from the bend of the wing to the tip of the longest primary). Statistical control of the spatial and temporal accessibility of potential mates did not affect the assortment. Males with short wings had slightly higher fitness components than those with long wings, and females settling early tended to have small wings. Considering that early-settling females can preferentially choose their mates, these results suggest that smaller females have an advantage when choosing smaller males with good reproductive performance. Improved flying and hunting ability of smaller individuals may be the background of choosing smaller individuals. We propose that, not passive process like similarity between individuals and their potential mates, but active mate choice for small individuals is an explanation for the assortative mating in this owl.

Durability of cantilever inlay-retained fixed dental prosthesis fabricated from multilayered zirconia ceramics with different designs

PurposeThe purpose of this in-vitro study was to investigate the effect of framework design on fracture resistance and failure modes of cantilever inlay-retained fixed partial dentures (IRFDPs) fabricated from two multilayered monolithic zirconia materials. Materials and methodsSeventy-two natural premolar teeth were prepared as abutments for cantilever IRFDPs using three designs: mesial-occlusal (MO) inlay with short buccal and palatal wings (D1), MO inlay with long palatal wing (D2), MO inlay with long palatal wing and occlusal extension (D3). Full-contoured IRFDPs were fabricated from two monolithic zirconia materials; IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime and Zolid Gen-X. Adhesive surfaces were air-abraded and bonded with MDP-containing resin cement. Specimens were subjected to thermocycling (5–55 °C, 5000 cycles); then, mechanical loading (1.2 × 10⁶ cycles, 49 N). Surviving specimens were loaded until failure in the universal testing machine. All specimens were examined under stereomicroscope, and two samples from each group were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscope. ResultsMean failure loads were not significantly different between different framework designs or between two materials. However, IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime showed significantly higher failure rate than Zolid Gen-X during dynamic fatigue (p = 0.009). Samples with D1 design showed higher debonding rate, D2 failed mainly by fracture of the palatal wing and debonding, and D3 failed mainly by fracture of the abutment tooth. Debonded restorations showed mainly mixed failures. ConclusionCantilever IRFDPs with framework designs that maximize adhesion to enamel exhibited promising results. IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime was more susceptible to fractures with the long palatal wing design.

Fluctuating Asymmetry in the Polymorphic Sand Cricket (Gryllus firmus): Are More Functionally Important Structures Always More Symmetric?

Simple SummaryAsymmetry in bilateral structures occurs when animals experience perturbations during development. This fluctuating asymmetry (FA) may serve as a reliable indicator of the functional importance of a structure. For example, locomotor structures often display lower levels of FA than other paired structures, highlighting that selection can maintain symmetry in traits important for survival or reproduction. Species that have multiple distinct morphs with unique behaviors and morphologies represent an attractive model for studying the relationship between symmetry and function. The sand field cricket (Gryllus firmus) has two separate morphs that allow us to directly test whether individuals maintain higher levels of symmetry in the structures most vital for maximizing fitness based on their specific life strategy. Longwing (LW) individuals can fly but postpone reproduction until after a dispersal event, whereas shortwing (SW) individuals cannot fly but begin reproducing in early adulthood. We quantified FA across a suite of key morphological structures indicative of investment in growth, reproduction, and flight capability for males and females across the morphs. Although we did not find significant differences in FA across traits, as predicted, locomotor compensation strategies may reduce selective pressures on symmetry or developmental patterns may limit the optimization between trait form and function.Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) may serve as a reliable indicator of the functional importance of structures within an organism. Primary locomotor structures often display lower levels of FA than other paired structures, highlighting that selection can maintain symmetry in fitness-enhancing traits. Polyphenic species represent an attractive model for studying the fine-scale relationship between trait form and function, because multiple morphs exhibit unique life history adaptations that rely on different traits to maximize fitness. Here, we investigated whether individuals of the wing polyphenic sand field cricket (Gryllus firmus) maintain higher levels of symmetry in the bilateral structures most vital for maximizing fitness based on their specific life history strategy. We quantified FA and directional asymmetry (DA) across a suite of key morphological structures indicative of investment in somatic growth, reproduction, and flight capability for males and females across the flight-capable longwing (LW) and flight-incapable shortwing (SW) morphs. Although we did not find significant differences in FA across traits, hindwings lacked DA that was found in all other structures. We predicted that functionally important traits should maintain a higher level of symmetry; however, locomotor compensation strategies may reduce the selective pressures on symmetry or developmental constraints may limit the optimization between trait form and function.

Nepenthes candalaga (Nepenthaceae), a new species from eastern Mindanao, Philippines

A new endemic species, Nepenthes candalaga (Nepenthes sect. Alata) from Mt. Candalaga (eastern Mindanao, Philippines) is here described and illustrated. This new taxon resembles N. justinae but can be easily distinguished in having the lamina with 2‒3 longitudinal nerves, orbicular lid, non-bifid lid spur tip, triangular lid appendage, short banner-shaped trap wings, and absent upper pitcher rim. The species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CE) according to the IUCN criteria. This novelty is the 38th species of Nepenthes in Mindanao making the island with the highest concentration of Nepenthes species in the Philippines. This discovery increases the number of Nepenthes species in the Philippines to 61. The new taxon described faces threats of deforestation and habitat loss without legislative protection.