Rhagovelia Explained

Rhagovelia is a genus of smaller water striders in the family Veliidae. There are at least 390 described species in Rhagovelia.^[1]

Evolution

Origins

The origins of the genus are among water striders of Veliidae family without propelling fans on their legs.

Evolution from water striders

Genes 'geisha' and 'mother-of-geisha'

The duplication of genes, called by researchers 'geisha' and 'mother-of-geisha', caused evolutionary creation of propelling fans on middle pair of water strider's legs which in its turn has made able for species in the genus to walk across more fast-flowing and turbulent streams.^[2]

See also

• List of Rhagovelia species

Notes and References

1. Book: Ross H. Arnett. 30 July 2000. American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico . CRC Press. 978-0-8493-0212-1. 278.
2. Emilia Santos M, Le Bouquin A, Crumiere A, Khila A . 2017 . Taxon-restricted genes at the origin of a novel trait allowing access to a new environment . Science . 358(6361) . 6361. 386–390 . 10.1126/science.aan2748 . 29051384 . 2017Sci...358..386S . 44180496 .