The Experts below are selected from a list of 1881 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Michael S Engel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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comment on marden 2013 reanalysis and experimental evidence indicate that the earliest trace fossil of a Winged Insect was a surface skimming neopteran
Evolution, 2013Co-Authors: Jacob S Benner, Richard J Knecht, Michael S EngelAbstract:: Marden's (2013) reanalysis of Knecht et al. (2011) suggesting that specimen SEMC-F97 is the result of the skimming behavior of a neopteran Insect and, more importantly, fossil evidence of "… surface skimming as a precursor to the evolution of flight in Insects" (Marden 2013) is found to be deficient on three fronts: (1) the principal specimen was never viewed firsthand which led to significant morphological misinterpretations; (2) poorly designed and executed neoichnological experiments led to incredulous results; and (3) the assumption that this specimen is fossil evidence supporting the surface skimming hypothesis of the origin of Insect flight despite the fact that since its induction into the literature that hypothesis has been refuted based on significant paleontological, phylogenetic, genetic, and developmental evidence.
James H. Marden - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Reply to "comment on Marden (2013) regarding the interpretation of the earliest trace fossil of a Winged Insect".
Evolution, 2013Co-Authors: James H. MardenAbstract:Benner, Knecht, and Engel have replied to my critique of their interpretation of a Carboniferous trace fossil produced by an Insect at the edge of water. Here I respond by pointing out that their reiterated scenario still requires mutually exclusive paths of motion and I show that their assertions of methodological shortcomings are tangential and lack merit. Overall, this discussion provides an opportunity to examine in greater detail competing hypothesis about behaviors and taxonomic identity of the trace maker, and relevance thereof to competing theories regarding early events in the evolution of pterygote Insects.
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reanalysis and experimental evidence indicate that the earliest trace fossil of a Winged Insect was a surface skimming neopteran
Evolution, 2013Co-Authors: James H. MardenAbstract:A recent description and analysis of an imprint fossil from the Carboniferous concluded that it was made by a mayfly landing in sediment at the edge of water. Here, I reanalyze that trace fossil and supply experimental evidence regarding wing traces and behavior. The thorax of the trace maker lacked structures characteristic of mayflies, but closely matches a modern neopteran Insect family (Taeniopterygidae, Plecoptera) little changed from Early Permian fossils. Edges of the folded wings of live Taeniopteryx leave marks on sediment closely matching marks in the trace fossil. Faint marks lateral to and beyond the reach of meso- and metathoracic legs match the location where wings of surface-skimming Taeniopteryx stoneflies lightly touch the sediment when these Insects skim onto wet ground at shorelines. Dimensions of the thorax of the trace indicate relatively weak flight ability compared to fossils from the Early Permian, making doubtful the hypothesis that the trace maker was flight capable. Ultimately, this fossil best fits a scenario in which a neopteran Insect skimmed across the surface of water, then folded its wings. Surface skimming as a precursor to the evolution of flight in Insects is supported by this fossil evidence of skimming behavior in a Carboniferous Insect.
Jacob S Benner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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comment on marden 2013 reanalysis and experimental evidence indicate that the earliest trace fossil of a Winged Insect was a surface skimming neopteran
Evolution, 2013Co-Authors: Jacob S Benner, Richard J Knecht, Michael S EngelAbstract:: Marden's (2013) reanalysis of Knecht et al. (2011) suggesting that specimen SEMC-F97 is the result of the skimming behavior of a neopteran Insect and, more importantly, fossil evidence of "… surface skimming as a precursor to the evolution of flight in Insects" (Marden 2013) is found to be deficient on three fronts: (1) the principal specimen was never viewed firsthand which led to significant morphological misinterpretations; (2) poorly designed and executed neoichnological experiments led to incredulous results; and (3) the assumption that this specimen is fossil evidence supporting the surface skimming hypothesis of the origin of Insect flight despite the fact that since its induction into the literature that hypothesis has been refuted based on significant paleontological, phylogenetic, genetic, and developmental evidence.
Richard J Knecht - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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comment on marden 2013 reanalysis and experimental evidence indicate that the earliest trace fossil of a Winged Insect was a surface skimming neopteran
Evolution, 2013Co-Authors: Jacob S Benner, Richard J Knecht, Michael S EngelAbstract:: Marden's (2013) reanalysis of Knecht et al. (2011) suggesting that specimen SEMC-F97 is the result of the skimming behavior of a neopteran Insect and, more importantly, fossil evidence of "… surface skimming as a precursor to the evolution of flight in Insects" (Marden 2013) is found to be deficient on three fronts: (1) the principal specimen was never viewed firsthand which led to significant morphological misinterpretations; (2) poorly designed and executed neoichnological experiments led to incredulous results; and (3) the assumption that this specimen is fossil evidence supporting the surface skimming hypothesis of the origin of Insect flight despite the fact that since its induction into the literature that hypothesis has been refuted based on significant paleontological, phylogenetic, genetic, and developmental evidence.
Dong Ren - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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At last, a Pennsylvanian stem-stonefly (Plecoptera) discovered
BMC evolutionary biology, 2011Co-Authors: Olivier Bethoux, Yingying Cui, Boris C. Kondratieff, Bill P. Stark, Dong RenAbstract:Stem-relatives of many Winged Insect orders have been identified among Pennsylvanian fossils (Carboniferous Period). Owing to their presumed 'basal' position in Insect phylogeny, stoneflies were expected to occur at this period. However, no relative has ever been designated convincingly. In this paper, we report specimens belonging to a new fossil Insect species collected from the Tupo Formation (Pennsylvanian; China). The wing venation of Gulou carpenteri gen. et sp. nov. exhibits character states diagnostic of the order Plecoptera, but lack character states shared by unequivocal representatives of the order. Derived from this identification, the delimitation of the fossil species is ascertained based on comparison of several extant stonefly species. This comparative analysis allowed a trait present in G. carpenteri gen. et sp. nov., but rarely occurring in extant species, to be documented and highlighted as atavistic. Affinities of taxa formerly proposed as putative stem-stoneflies are reconsidered in the light of the new discovery. Gulou carpenteri gen. et sp. nov. is considered the only genuine Plecoptera reported from the Pennsylvanian. Continuing efforts on the systematics of Pennsylvanian Winged Insects indicate a fauna more diverse than previously appreciated. It suggests that Insects already had a long, yet undocumented, history by this time.
