A modified paranotal theory of insect wing origin

The theory of Kukalova-Peck ('78) is examined and rejected except for the hypothesis of the partially pleural origin of wings. Data suggest that the arthropods ancestral to insects left the water, and that movable precursors of the wings, possibly exopodites, were immobilized and fused with the tergum to form part of the complex paranota. Later, during insect adaptation for flight, parts of the complex paranota were separated secondarily and became wings.