Comparative morphology of the thorax musculature of adult Anisoptera (Insecta: Odonata): Functional aspects of the flight apparatus. Issue 4 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bäumler, Fabian; Gorb, Stanislav N.; Büsse, Sebastian
• Is Part Of: Arthropod structure & development. Volume 47:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Dragonflies -- Functional morphology -- Muscle setup -- Insect flight -- X-ray tomography (μCT); Arthropoda -- Morphology -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Anatomy -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Cytology -- Periodicals; Arthropods -- growth & development -- Periodicals; 595
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-8039

Abstract

Abstract: Due to their unique flight mechanism including a direct flight musculature, Odonata show impressive flight skills. Several publications addressed the details of this flight apparatus like: sclerites, wings, musculature, and flight aerodynamics. However, 3D-analysis of the thorax musculature of adult dragonflies was not studied before and this paper allows for a detailed insight. We, therefore, focused on the thorax musculature of adult Anisoptera using micro-computed tomography. Herewith, we present a comparative morphological approach to identify differences within Anisoptera: Aeshnidae, Corduliidae, Gomphidae, and Libellulidae. In total, 54 muscles were identified: 16 prothoracic, 19 mesothoracic, and 19 metathoracic. Recorded differences were for example, the reduction of muscle Idlm4 and an additional muscle IIIdlm1 in Aeshna cyanea, previously described as rudimentary or missing. Muscle Iscm1, which was previously reported missing in all Odonata, was found in all investigated species. The attachment of muscle IIpcm2 in Pantala flavescens is interpreted as a probable adaption to its long-distance migration behaviour. Furthermore, we present a review of functions of the odonatan flight muscles, considering previous publications. The data herein set a basis for functional and biomechanical studies of the flight apparatus and will therefore lay the foundation for a better understanding of the odonatan flight. Highlights: Thoracic musculature of adult Anisoptera in a comparative morphological approach. 54 comprehensively detailed described muscles of 6 Anisoptera species. Contribution to understand the highly derived odonatan flight apparatus. Extensive review of previous works (Clark (1940), Hatch (1966) and Pfau (1986) ).