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Evolution and physiological consequences of de‐alation in crickets
Author(s) -
Tanaka Seiji
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
population ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1438-390X
pISSN - 1438-3896
DOI - 10.1007/bf02514928
Subject(s) - biology , wing , mechanism (biology) , zoology , philosophy , epistemology , engineering , aerospace engineering
Wing shedding or de‐alation is a common phenomenon among crickets. Its significance and effects on other traits were examined based on the results from experiments using artifical or natural de‐alation. Artificial de‐alation at adult emergence induces rapid egg production and flight muscle histolysis in several species examined. However, natural de‐alation does not always shorten the pre‐ovipositional period because it does not occur immediately after adult emergence and because oviposition starts before de‐alation. In some cases, naturally de‐alated females produce more eggs than to intact females during early adult life, but peak ovipositing activity occurs before de‐alation. Therefore, retention of the hindwings does not suppress high ovipositing activity in such cases. It appears that de‐alation is a result rather than a causal factor in ending migration. Ovarian development and flight muscle histolysis, which can be stimulated by de‐alation, are controlled by the jevenile hormone, but the mechanism inducing de‐alation remains unknown. The possible factors leading to the evolution of de‐alation are discussed.