Untersuchungen über die Beziehungen zwischen Flügelreduktion und Ausbildung des Metathorax bei Carabiden unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Flugmuskulatur (Coleoptera: Carabidae).

Abstract

The above publication deals with the structures of metathorax in Garabid beetles. There were studied all parts joined in active flight as like as their changes occuring in the various brachypterous stages. The rudimentation of the flight apparatus apparently begins with the reduction of the flight muscles, laeding to the loss of flight capacity. The individual degeneration of flight muscles is insignificant and not continually evident. Histological features of muscle breakdown are described. Brachypterous individuals have no flight muscles left, but there are traceable flight joint muscles of decreasing number down to stages of most significant rudimentation. The skeleton breakdown begins with the reduction of alae and their basal joints, encroaching on tergum, pleura, and even the sternal range, thus forming a narrow ring, which bears nothing else but the hind legs.