Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 18() 1973
Studies on the adaptive evolution of the larvae of Trichoptera
Abstract:
In the first part of this paper the author describes the stages of the adaptive evolution of the caddis larvae from the passage of the larvae of the caddisflies’ ancestors from land to cold flowing waters, through the passage of the caddis larvae themselves from flowing to stagnant waters, to their return, via flowing waters, to the land environment. These considerations are based, in addition to structural characters, on the functional parameters found in experimentally induced responses as traces of old functions preserved in the present modes of behaviour. Cenogenetic adaptations have been recognized as modifications of the palingenetic adaptations in the evolution of caddisflies. A relationship between the development of motor activity and that of the efficiency of the photoreceptors has been demonstrated in the second part of the paper. The developmental process of motor activity from asymmetrical uncompensatory movements to symmetrical compensatory ones, or to locomotion on a horizontal plane is described. The time parameters that have an effect on the origin and maintenance of a visual sensation have been determined, and their selective value in the process of natural selection has been established. In the part given to the final conclusions the author presents his own interpretation of the adaptive process, and as its characteristics he mentions universality, multiformity, complementarity, feedback and symmetry in time. He reduces the adaptive processes in the historical development and the adaptations associated with the reception of information from environment to unity.
