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Convergent evolution


Convergent evolution
Photo Information
Copyright: Marcello Romano (marcellr) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 208 W: 38 N: 1012] (3514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-21
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 4300
Exposure: f/7.6, 1/228 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-11-21 4:03
Viewed: 5818
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Convergent evolution is the emergence of biological structures or species that exhibit similar function and appearance but that evolved through widely divergent evolutionary pathways. The similarities that are shared in the case of convergent evolution are not the result of evolution from a common ancestor sharing those similarities. Instead, the similarities are typically explained as the result of common adaptive solutions to similar environmental pressures.

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NEUROPTERA, MANTISPIDAE

Mantispidae is a family of small (20–47 mm) neuropterous insects, known as mantid-flies, mantid lacewings or mantis-flies.
They belong to the order Neuroptera, which includes the lacewings as well. Mantid-flies are sometimes wasp mimics, but they get their name from their mantis-like appearance, as their spiny front legs are modified to catch prey ("raptorial") and are very similar to the front legs of mantids. The adults are predatory insects that are often nocturnal, and are sometimes attracted by porch lights, or blacklights. They actively chase their prey, which consists of small moths, caterpillars, and any other thing they can catch. They are usually green, brown, yellow, and sometimes pink, and have 4 membranous wings which may sometimes be patterned (especially in wasp mimicking species) but are usually clear.

Picture show Perlamantispa perla (or very similar Mantispa aphavexelthe).
Lenght: 20-25 mm.

WORKSHOP: Perlamantispa perla compare with Mantis religiosa

******

Note in italiano

Oggi vi mostro un insetto molto bizzarro.
Si tratta della Perlamantispa perla (o Mantispa aphavexelthe, quasi indistinguibile da una foto).
I Mantispidae costituiscono una Famiglia dell’ordine dei Neurotteri che, come già chiaramente indica il nome, comprende specie che presentano alcuni caratteri morfologici propri dei Mantodea (p.es. Mantis religiosa), in particolare le zampe anteriori “raptatorie”, utilissime per afferrare le prede di cui si nutrono.
Non c’è in questo caso nessun legame filogenetico fra i due gruppi, nel senso che non esiste un antenato comune.
Sono talmente lontani che, per esempio, i Mantispidae hanno una metamorfosi completa (cioè uovo, larva ben differente dall’adulto, pupa, immagine), mentre le mantidi, alla pari degli altri Ortotteroidei, sono insetti eterometaboli, cioè con stadi larvali simili all’adulto.

Fra le mantidi e le mantispa, insetti di dimensioni assai diverse, non possiamo certo parlare di mimetismo, cioè di una specie che imita l’altra per trarne un vantaggio, come succede fra molte specie di ditteri che "imitano" imenotteri, ma di un fenomeno evolutivo con molti esempi nel mondo animale e che si definisce “convergenza di caratteri”.
Si manifesta fra gruppi assai diversi, che presentano alcuni caratteri morfologici simili, in questo caso soprattutto le zampe anteriori che hanno perso completamente la loro funzione deambulatoria per trasformarsi in perfetti organi di presa (zampe raptatorie), indispensabili per molte specie predatrici di altri insetti.
In WORKSHOP ho messo a confronto le due specie (Perlamantispa e Mantis), per poter meglio apprezzare le analogie ma anche le evidenti differenze.
dejo, mariki, PaulH, Norte, lousat, jrobertop, horia, Silvio2006, flashpoint, elfriki, haraprasan, anel, meyerd, sily, cicindela has marked this note useful
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To flashpoint: Rotazione immaginemarcellr 1 11-21 11:53
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Marcello,

What a strange insect! I cannot say that it is beautiful but you took a very nice picture of it. Sharpness is perfect as usual. The background is very nice also.
cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 344 W: 51 N: 520] (2242)
  • [2007-11-21 4:13]

Hello Marcello,
This is beautiful presentation of the species and the subject and also very good and informative notes.
Fantastic sharpness and beautiful details
colors are great, very nice background
Thanks, Dejan

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2007-11-21 4:17]

Hi Marcello,
wow, a superb example of evolution in motion! It's interesting to hear that it's not genetics but environment that have caused the similarites in shape this creature has to the Mantid Family. This is a great shot though, superb detail, colour and light. The composition is very good too and your DOF prettymuch perfect. A great workshop too, good to see the comparison. Darwin would be proud :o)
tfs
Paul

  • Great 
  • Norte Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 32 W: 0 N: 45] (184)
  • [2007-11-21 4:22]

Very strange insect, and also a very good picture!
Sharp, good colors, a background in perfect contrast.
TFS!
Jon

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2007-11-21 4:39]

beh io non so piu' cosa dire..metto i due punti e me ne vado perche' la perfezione del tuo lavoro si commenta da sola,buona giornata,Luciano

Ciao Marcello,
Superb macro!
Excellent colors, sharpness and texture.
First plan well-defined.
Wonderful insect.
Congratulations for the wealth of details.
Well done!
Regards,
José Roberto

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-11-21 6:31]

Hi Marcello

A splendid post and a great note!
I really liek your macro shot here, showing this Perlamantispa here with excellent details and from really close. The textures are also great as well as the side POV - one that lets us see why and how it is so similar in looks with the regular mantids.
Your note is, as is said, terrific. Most people have never heard of convergent evolution and even if hey have, they don't know exactly what the difference with the other types of evolution.
You explained that very well here both with the text as well as with the workshop.
Great job!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Oh Marcello, non so più che dirti e che superlativi tirar fuori, insetto mai visto prima, che dirgli bizzarro è anche poco, meravigliosa nitidezza, splendidi dettagli, interessantissima nota, ws di comparazione, shampoo, barba e capelli, ci manca solo che mi inviti a cena.
Mamma mia quant'è bella, non la posso inserire tra le preferite che ho esaurito la dotazione, l'ho salvata e me la faccio girare sullo screensaver, BRAVISSIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ciao Silvio

ciao Marcello
un'altra grande cattura!!!!!!!
esemplare interessante per morfologia
e per tratti comuni alla mantide
notevole la nota che l'accompagna
un solo appunto che ti consiglio di effettuare...nel workshop che inserisco
faccio una semplice cosa:ruoto l'immagine a sinistra per gustare meglio l'insetto evitando
stiramenti al collo|!!!!!!!
complimenti buona serata sERGIO

Great photo Marcelo. I did not knew that this kind of insects could be found in Europe.

Hi Manee
Hello Marcello,
Amazing insect, don't think I've seen anything like that before.Well captured with good sharpness and composition.
Makkala

Hi Marcello,
A beautiful capture of this mantid fly. I have never seen an fly like this before. Excellent composition and details with very good notes. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Marcello,

C'est une photo et un insectes bien étonnants!
Je n'avais jamais entendu parler de cela,merci donc pour cette note et la très belle illustration qui l'accompagne.

(et merci pour ta correction sur ma photo ;o) )

Servane

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2007-11-22 4:43]

Bonjour Marcello,
Tu avances si vite, je n'arrive plus à suivre! Mais il faut que je m'arrête sur cette image fantastique. J'adore les neuroptères, ils sont parmi les insectes les plus fascinants. Et ta photo, elle est juste parfaite par sa netteté, son sujet, les détails (quelle machoire!)
Un grand merci
Anne

Hi Marcello,
truly phantastic!! The good picture, the interesting animal, your competent note. An entomologists dream come true. Congratulations!
Best regards
Dietrich

I love this animal. When I first saw one, it took me almost one year to find its ID (I was wrongly looking for it in the mantid family)
The live of larva is just as strange as the animal itself.
Lovely pic
Perfect light. Brilliant colors
TFS
JM

Quel insecte extraordinaire ! merci pour cette photo de conte de fées !

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 239 W: 6 N: 395] (1934)
  • [2007-12-08 17:02]

HI Marcello!
I never saw this one before, pretty rare sight, quite beauty and unusual insect, excellent shot with superb sharpnes in details and POV!Great and interesting note.

Hi Marcello!
Fantastic creature and great picture! Lovely details and sharpness. I had possibilities to watch similar species in Albania, you can see this picture here.
Thanks for interesting note too!
Friendly yours,
Radomir

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