A research team from NIGPAS carried out a detailed and global investigation of all representatives of giant cicadas. This research provides novel insight into the adaptive aerodynamic evolution of Palaeontinidae and supports the hypothesis of an aerial evolutionary arms race (Air Race) between Palaeontinidae and birds. This research was published in Science Advances on October 26th, 2024.
They re-examined all representative Palaeontinidae and their closest relatives (Dunstaniidae) based on fossils from over a period of approximately 160 million years. They compiled a database of detailed morphometric information on their bodies and wings. Using this, the evolutionary history of Palaeontinidae was reconstructed based on an integrated approach including Bayesian tip-dating, phylogenetic morphospace, morphological disparity, and geometric morphometric analyses.
Additionally, an aerodynamic modeling approach was developed to estimate the flight performance of Palaeontinidae based on their wing and body characteristics which was used to analyze the evolution of their flight ability. Three indicative parameters of flight ability among insects were calculated based on morphometry: wing loading, relative flight power muscle mass, and wing aspect ratio. The combination of high wing loading, high relative flight muscle mass and high aspect ratio of wings in late Palaeontinidae suggest that they had evolved a significantly more advanced flight capability, including higher flight speed and greater maneuverability.
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