The ecomorphology of locomotor organs of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera): the jumping apparatus, its biological role, and evolutionary implications

01/01/2013 to 30/06/2016

The project is devoted to study of the jumping apparatus of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera). The subject of reseach is jumping apparatus (JA). The object of research is an ecological and evolutionary morphology of the JA. The primary aim of the project is evaluation of biological role and evolutionary implications of JA in beetles. Approximately 100 genera and ca.150 species of the jumping beetles of the families Curculionidae (weevels), Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles), Buprestidae (jewel beetles), and Scirtidae (marsh beetles) will be treated.

The project includes three stages: (i) comparative and descriptive morphology; (ii) functional morphology; (iii) biological role and evolutionary implications. The methods to be used are the microscopy, synchrotron X-Ray microtomography, phylogenetic and mathematical analysis, 3D modelling and graphical design, high-speed video-recording, natural and laboratory experiments and observations. The following results are intended to be achieved: (i) detailed description of the JA; (ii) functional description of the JA and the jumping act; (iii) description of the jumping behavior; (iv) evaluation of the biological role of jumping; (v) evaluation of the jumping in the taxonomic diversity and phylogeny of beetles; (vi) significance of the jumping ability in the evolution of beetles.
The research will constitute a considerable contribution to the knowledge of locomotory organs of beetles, their evolutionary and biological roles and implications; relevance of the JA in the morphological evolution of beetle and a significance to their taxonomic diversity and phylogeny. The study will significantly add to the existing knowledge about functioning of the system "predator-prey" in ecological and ethological aspects. The results will be used in the high-level taxonomy of the beetle taxa under consideration. In the applied aspect it is highly promising in biomimetics science.