Key Findings
UNH researchers identified the evolutionary basis of mandible function in Chalcidoidea wasps. The discovery explains the basis of the wasp's incredible diversification and highlights the importance of natural history collections such as the UNH Collection of Insects and Other Arthropods for evolutionary research.
About the CO-Author
Istvan Miko, Collections Manager of the UNH Collection of Insects and Other Arthropods
Contact information: Istvan.Miko@UNH.edu, 603-862-2488
This research first published in Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences.
Researchers: I. Mikó, T. van de Kamp, A. Staniczek, B. Eggs, D. Bajerlein, T. Faragó, L. Hagelstein, E. Hamann, R. Spiecker, T. Baumbach, P. Jansta, L. Krogmann
A study investigating a previously unidentified group of parasitic wasps has revealed fresh insights into the functionality of their mandibles, or jaws. This discovery presents a significant stride in understanding insect evolution, particularly within the Chalcidoidea superfamily of wasps. The research, which involved István Mikó, the curator of the UNH Collection of Insects and Other Arthropods, has been recently published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society.
Recently, the collaborative efforts of Mikó and his team, in conjunction with advanced 3D modeling techniques such as high-throughput synchrotron-based tomographic microscopy, unearthed an anomaly within a Chalcidoid species. Their findings revealed that these wasps had reverted, millions of years ago, to a single-jointed mandible structure akin to the most primitive insects. This evolutionary reversal relinquished powerful biting for heightened versatility, likely catalyzing their extraordinary diversification. “This is one of the key innovations that triggered the extreme diversification of insects, which now make up three-quarters of all animal species on the planet,” says Mikó.
“This is one of the key innovations that triggered the extreme diversification of insects, which now make up three-quarters of all animal species on the planet.”
Moreover, this study emphasizes the imperative of scrutinizing the roughly 4 million yet-to-be-described insect species in detail and reevaluating insect systems presumed to be well-understood. The UNH Collection of Insects and Other Arthropods, among other natural history collections, emerges as a valuable resource for preserving and documenting the diverse spectrum of insect species. These collections offer a window into both the untold species and their untapped biomimetic potential, exemplified by innovations like Velcro inspired by burr needles and surgical needles inspired by parasitoid wasps.
In conjunction with this research, artist Julia Stoess crafted an intricately detailed model of a Chalcidoid wasp, based on 3D images generated by the research team. This model is showcased at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart in Germany.
The UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture is the oldest of five colleges at the University of New Hampshire. We are scientists, scholars and educators who combine teaching with a passion for research and public service. Our work to understand the nature of biological systems, manage and conserve natural resources, improve agricultural profitability and sustainability, enhance health and nutrition and foster economic development has helped earn UNH nationwide recognition as a top-tier land, sea and space grant university.
