Pattern formation in odonate wings.

1
Pattern formation in odonate wings.
2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
The adult emerges with fully formed wings.
5
Nymph exoskeleton
Adult dragonfly
Wings
6
Different between individuals and even left vs.
right wings.
7
Relevant wing attributes

• Should be strong but light
• Wings will minimize veination
• Wing is stiffest at leading edge and most
  flexible at the trailing edge.
• Does the model explain this?
• What is the simplest model that could account for
  the observed pattern?

8
Observations on fingerprint region

• Cells are larger near the leading edge spar and
  smaller near the trailing edge.
• - Seems to correspond to changes in flexibility

9
Observations on fingerprint region

• 2) Acute angles between veins are extremely rare
• Most cells are convex pentagons, hexagons, or
  heptagons

10
(No Transcript)
11
Hexagonal - like pattern

• Shown to be most efficient possible pattern, in
  terms of edge material use. (Hales, 1999)

12

• Such a pattern can arise from a simple
  reaction-diffusion system.
• Each spot would become a cell

13
Decreasing cell size?

• A Perhaps the diffusion distance is a function
  of the width of a vein.

14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
Measure vein thickness and cell size at various
places across the wing.
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
(No Transcript)
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30
Is is plausible? Convincing?
Seminar thoughts.
31
Sources

• http//www.bumblebee.org/invertebrates/images/dams
  elflyNymph.jpg
• http//farm2.static.flickr.com/1223/1395130052_563
  d83c515_o.jpg
• http//farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/997306283_75d9
  00e85c.jpg?v0
• http//www.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au/html/popups/images
  /lge_dr-ny-b_col.jpg
• http//www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,3
  895593,00.html
• http//www.agr.state.il.us/programs/bees/images/be
  e_with_honeycomb.jpg
• http//worldbridgermedia.com/blog/wp-content/uploa
  ds/2007/04/honey-comb.gif
• http//dev.biologists.org/cgi/reprint/126/16/3509