![]() 2022 Goczał and Beutel 2023) through the long, gradual process of progressive forewings sclerotization achieved by the co-option of a group of genes moderating body sclerotization to the wing gene network (Tomoyasu et al. Beetle elytra were likely already formed in the Carboniferous period (Boudinot et al. It is widely considered that one particular morphological adaptation-the transformation of soft, flight forewings into hardened, rigid shields called elytra, was a key step in the evolutionary history of this taxa, which has largely supported the extraordinary beetle radiation (Crowson 1981 Grimaldi and Engel 2005 Beutel et al. With more than 380,000 described extant species, Coleoptera encompasses almost a quarter of all known animal species on Earth (Beutel et al. When considering the number of species as a measure of evolutionary success-beetles are the undisputed winners of this ancient race. Would he still be a superhero without his shield? Or rather, along with the loss of the shield-would he also lose his key advantages over opponents and competitors? This seemingly ridiculous question might be quite useful as a thought experiment to help in understanding the consequences of the mysterious biological phenomenon-loss of large, protective shields (elytra) in several, distantly related groups of beetles (Coleoptera).īeetles are truly superheroes within the Animal Kingdom. We can consider a hypothetical situation when Captain America loses his key feature. His key attribute is the large, almost uncrushable shield that allows him to protect himself against most types of physical attack and other external loads, and it can also be used as an improvised offensive weapon (Johnston 2011). The use of suggestive analogies to pop culture icons, constitutes a promising tool for scientists to construct new theoretical templates, as well as to communicate and promote their recent findings, bridging the gap between researchers and the public.Ĭaptain America (sensu Steve Rogers (Johnston 2011)) is considered to be one of the most popular and oldest concepts of superhero in pop culture (Wright 2003). It is not clear whether these new inventions have evolved as a direct response to the elytra loss, but it is very likely that the alternative defence strategies, common in brachelytrous beetles, might compensate for the loss of the primary protective structures. This might include for instance: the hardening of the abdominal tergites, Batesian mimicry, aposematic coloration, chemical protection or defensive bioluminescence. In this study, a suggestive analogy to pop culture was used to illustrate a wide range of incredible defence strategies that can be found in several groups of beetles characterised by reduced elytra. Evolutionary consequences of this mysterious biological phenomenon have never been systematically discussed. ![]() However, in some beetle lineages, a reduction of elytra has occurred. The formation of protective covers called elytra is considered to be a crucial morphological adaptation that has greatly supported the extraordinary radiation of beetles.
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