Developmental evolution: how beetles evolved their shields.
Beetle forewings are modified into hardened structures called elytra. A recent study indicates that the evolution of elytra involved co-opting genes for exoskeleton formation into the wing development gene network of beetles on at least three separate occasions.
Fédrigo
Olivier
O
Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham NC 27708-0338, USA.
Wray
Gregory A
GA
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D017344:Genes, Insect; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000254:growth & development