At The Size Limit--effects Of Miniaturization In Insects Effects Of Miniaturization In Insects

This book addresses microinsects, their structure and their differences from larger relatives. Moreover, it discusses structural changes that accompany extreme diminution in living organisms, evolutionary inventions that help insects to live in the microworld, and factors that limit the size of animals. It also takes a careful look at the potential benefits of the study of microinsects for solving biotechnological and fundamental scientific problems. Miniaturization is not only a trend in technology: it is also one of the trends in the evolution of life. Many of the problems modern engineers are still struggling with were solved by nature millions of years ago. The world of microscopic organisms, invisible to the naked eye, is all around us. Microinsects {u2014} the extremely diverse range of miniature insects less than a millimeter long {u2014} are one of the most intriguing components of this microworld. Having evolved to the size of unicellular organisms, the smallest insects managed not only to preserve their structural complexity, but also to evolve some novel features not found in larger insects Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-8 Methods of Collecting and Studying Microinsects....Pages 9-14 Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. I. Booklice (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae)....Pages 15-44 Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. II. Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)....Pages 45-75 Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. III. Featherwing Beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae)....Pages 77-133 Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. IV. Hooded Beetles (Coleoptera: Corylophidae)....Pages 135-167 Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. V. Fairy Flies (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)....Pages 169-199 Structure of the Principal Groups of Microinsects. VI. Trichogrammatid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)....Pages 201-232 Peculiar Miniature-Related Structural Features of Different Organ Systems of Insects....Pages 233-262 Changes in Relative Size of Organs that Accompany Decrease in Body Size....Pages 263-270 Effects of Miniaturization at Different Stages of the Life Cycle....Pages 271-278 Analysis of Peculiar Miniaturization-Related Structural Features in Different Groups of Animals....Pages 279-287 Limits to Insect Miniaturization....Pages 289-298 Back Matter....Pages 299-325 1. Introduction -- 2. Methods Of Collecting And Studying Microinsects -- 3. Structure Of The Principal Groups Of Microinsects. I, Booklice (psocoptera: Liposcelididae) -- 4. Structure Of The Principal Groups Of Microinsects. Ii, Thrips (thysanoptera: Thripidae) -- 5. Structure Of The Principal Groups Of Microinsects. Iii, Featherwing Beetles (coleoptera: Ptiliidae) -- 6. Structure Of The Principal Groups Of Microinsects. Iv, Hooded Beetles (coleoptera: Corylophidae) -- 7. Structure Of The Principal Groups Of Microinsects. V, Fairy Flies (hymenoptera: Mymaridae) -- 8. Structure Of The Principal Groups Of Microinsects. Vi, Trichogrammatid Wasps (hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) -- 9. Peculiar Miniature-related Structural Features Of Different Organ Systems Of Insects -- 10. Changes In Relative Size Of Organs That Accompany Decrease In Body Size -- 11. Effects Of Miniaturization On The Different Stages Of The Life Cycle -- 12. Analysis Of Peculiar Miniaturization-related Structural Features In Different Groups Of Animals -- 13. Limits To Insect Miniaturization. Alexey A. Polilov. This Springer Imprint Is Published By Springer Nature--verso Of Title Page. Includes Bibliographical References.