Hello everyone.
A high rate of modifications in wing venation in a small population of a species X (Diptera: Tipoloidea) could be the result of low genetic elasticity? Would this fact support our hypothesis that it is a relict and isolated population?
I have added some Background and Facts, which could be useful.
Background: In a study in hypogeal environments we have found a species of cranefly that is apparently isolated (trapped) in the cave (outside the cave conditions are not suitable for survival). We think that it is an eutroglophile species, of which only this population of the cave has survived, losing the population of the external environment in the past.
Fact: We found anomalies in the wing venation of almost half of the specimens. Although the wing venation in the cranflies may be surprisingly prone to individual anomalies (including the addition of crossveins), I do not think it is sufficient to explain such a high rate of anomalies as those found.
Is there any evidence that the flies use their wings at all? If not, the anomalies could be reflective of a lack of selection pressure for wing structural integrity.
Hi Gunnar, thanks for your reply.
The specimens had a low reactive behavior towards the human contact, either when taking images a few centimeters from the specimens or at the time of capture. No flight reactions were observed at direct contact in any specimen of both sexes, and the specimens were limited to walking on the wall or the substrate, moving away from the initial resting site. Only once was a slight and ephemeral fluttering behavior observed, without taking flight.
Hi Jorge,
I have some questions. What garantee there are two distinct populations and not two species? The genitalia are the same? The wing venation pattern among these half craneflies are always the same?
If the answer is yes, I think you are observing two populations in beggining of speciation or, alternatively, two distinct species. I think these are the two possible conclusion using only morphology. One way you can solve it is to compare genetically the mixing degree between the two morphotypes, using conservative markers (e.g. COI), as well as markers of more mutagenic DNA-region (e.g. d-loop).
Hi Lucas, thanks for your reply.
It is a single species, with a population restricted to a cave. We have reviewed the genitalia of all specimens of both sexes and it is the same. The venation of the wing in this group sometimes presents certain aberrations. But in our case, we have detected that in this population more than 50% of the specimens have aberrations in the venation.
First of all, molecules could not solve everything. Many speciation examples begin with biology. So, It might make sense from a behavioral and ecological view. As for the modifications in wing venation including adding crossveins, it is probable to enhance their flighting ability to withstand impact in the dark and avoid injury, or to make more noise during the flight to find or attract a mate .
Thanks for your comment Ke-Long.
It is an interesting appreciation. Although the population of this species is in an area of the cave that does not have conditions of absolute darkness, your observation about the adaptation to the environment as a source of the high rate of modifications observed in the wings could be pausible.
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