
Sandall 2020 Dissertation Supplementary Appendix C
Burrowing dragonflies are uniquely adapted as larvae to live and maneuver in aquatic substrates, acting as ambush predators of other small invertebrates. In this larval form, dragonflies live underwater and develop for several years before emerging as adults that live for a few weeks. In order to reach maturity and emerge as adults, the larvae must be able to survive and move throughout a range of aquatic substrates, moving via forces generated primarily in the muscles of the legs and abdomen. While previous research has described the general morphological features of the larval abdominal structure and swimming capabilities in aquatic habitats, the mechanics of larval burrowing dragonflies have not been examined. Modern morphological techniques in microCT are combined with high-speed videography behavioral analyses to comprehensively examine the morphology and movement of burrowing dragonfly larvae in the Gomphidae and Cordulegastridae. I find that the shape and size of abdominal muscles differs both within the range of Gomphidae larval body forms and between the Gomphidae and Cordulegastridae, and the respective families exhibit asynchronous and synchronous gait patterns in burrowing by live individuals of the two families.
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Work Title | Sandall 2020 Dissertation Supplementary Appendix C |
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License | CC BY 4.0 (Attribution) |
Work Type | Dissertation |
DOI | doi:10.26207/62jw-1997 |
Deposited | June 24, 2020 |
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