When talking about long-distance flyers, it is common to think about birds that have robust bodies that are able to withstand harsh environments. However, a new study found that the world's longest distance flyer is actually an insect - a small dragonfly that measures roughly an inch and a half in length.
Dragonfly species Pantala flavescens has been recognized to have a wide distribution all around the world. The species can be found from the end of one ocean to another signaling its vast migratory range. With this, the rate of gene flow of the species in different locations is significantly rampant.
Scientists are looking at the possibility that these dragonflies may be a global panmictic population or those that practice random mating. However, there have been no genetic evidence to back this up.
In The Genes
Researchers from the Rutgers University-Newark pioneered the genetic study of these dragonflies and as a result, they discovered that the amazing flying abilities of the species may be attributed to its genes.
"This is the first time anyone has looked at genes to see how far these insects have traveled," says senior author Jessica Ware.
The scientists particularly found that the dragonflies have populations in Texas, Korea, Japan, India, South America and eastern part of Canada. The species all have similar genetic profiles. This means that the species have been traveling long distances, mating and establishing a vast genetic pool that would not have been possible if the species did not interact with each other.
Ware explains that if dragonflies in Japan only mate with those found in the same country, then the scientists would see that, However, they did not, suggesting that there is mixing of genes in different geographical locations.
Adaptive Bodies
The question is now centered on how the dragonflies from different places are able to fly long distances and meet up.
Ware says it may be credited to the evolution of the insects' bodies. The insects have various adaptive mechanisms such as the ability to increase its wings' surface area so that the winds just basically carry it.
Following A Suitable Weather
Another study author named Daniel Troast adds that the dragonflies are following the weather. He explains that the insects fly from India where it is dry to Africa where it is moist.
A moist environment is essential for the reproduction of the dragonflies and that is what drives the species to travel the long distance at least once a year. Some insects survive, others don't, but as long as there are enough insects that make it, then the species continue to reproduce.
Future Studies
The authors say there are lot more to research on, What they discovered in this study is an educated best guess on specific migration routes. Despite this, their work has already formed a foundation for future studies and the authors hope that it will pave the way to track more routes in the future.
Record Breaker
Pantala flavescens flies about 4,400 miles per travel, which breaks the 2,500 miles per way of monarch butterflies - the previous holder of the world's longest-distance flyer.
Indeed, this small dragonfly is a wonder wanderer.
The study was published in the journal PLOS One on March 2.
