Wasp waist and flight: convergent evolution in wasps reveals a link between wings and body shapes

AbstractInsect flight is made possible by different morphological structures: wings produce the lift, the thorax drives the wings’ movements, and the abdomen serves as a secondary control device. As such, the covariation of these structures could reflect functional constraints related to flight performances. This study examines evolutionary convergences in wasp body shapes to provide the first evidence for morphological integration among insect wings, thorax, and abdomen. The shapes of the forewings and hind wings, thorax, and petiole (connecting abdomen and thorax) of 22 Vespidae species were analyzed using computerized tomography and geometric morphometrics. Results show a clear relationship between petiole and wings or thorax shapes but not between wings and thorax. Wasps with elongated bodies have pointed wings, both features thought to improve flight maneuverability. In contrast, stouter species have rounded wings, which may allow for higher flight speeds. These integration patterns suggest that mult...