Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-04620

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png The insect head rewound: Clarifications to the groundplan of Hexapoda (Pancrustacea)

Boudinot, B. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Beutel, R. G. ; Weingardt, M. ; van de Kamp, T.Extern* ; Hammel, J. U.HZG*Hereon* ; Li, D.Extern* ; Richter, A.Extern* ; Wipfler, B.Extern*

2025
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.asd.2025.101490  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-04620

Abstract: The organization of the hexapod head remains a cornerstone problem in arthropod systematics, central to segmental homology, character definition, higher-level phylogeny, and functional and evolutionary morphology. Recently, Nel et al. (2025) proposed an alternative interpretation of insect head segmentation that departs markedly from established anatomical and comparative frameworks. We evaluate the internal consistency and external coherence of that hypothesis using their model groups, broader taxonomic samples, prior studies (including crustaceomorph Pancrustacea) and our own investigations. We identify multiple implausible anatomical interpretations and logical contradictions in their reconstruction. Our reanalysis, supported by microtomographic imaging (μ- and SR-μ-CT), shows that the proposed revision lacks empirical foundation (e.g. Psocodea), does not meet its own definitions (e.g. Neuropteroidea), misidentifies homologs (e.g. Coleoptera, Formicidae), and is unsupported by fossil or developmental evidence. Consequently, the new theory yields unreliable homology statements and obscures groundplan conditions and character polarities of the hexapod head. We therefore reject the hypothesis that “intercalate” and “promandible” sclerites existed in the groundplan of Hexapoda, and the assumed plesiomorphy of dicondyly. Our findings clarify relationships among major head sclerites, endoskeletal elements, and the head capsule's strengthening ridges, underscoring the need for comprehensive anatomy, broad sampling, and logical rigor in resolving arthropod head evolution.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P05 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

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