https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/11731 2026-10-03T21:35:05Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60901 Title: Convergent acquisition of a specialized feeding strategy: flush-pursue foraging in birds Author(s): Park, Jinseok; Lee, Sang-im; Jablonski, Piotr G. Abstract: Birds exhibit diverse foraging strategies shaped jointly by the morphology and behaviour of predators and prey, as well as by habitat conditions. Some foraging tactics may result from convergent evolution when similar patterns among these factors are found across different lineages. Flush-pursue foraging, where birds use conspicuous wing and tail displays to startle hidden prey and pursue it, is known to drive plumage evolution among birds. However, the diversity and evolutionary relationship of the species using this strategy and associated traits remain poorly documented. For the first time, we compiled a global list of flush-pursuing species and conducted a family-level phylogenetic analysis. We found that flush-pursue foraging has independently evolved in four avian orders, and at least 17 families within Passeriformes, illustrating convergent adaptations to a specialized foraging niche. Flush-pursuers were more likely to be found in families with traits related to pursuit ability, such as smaller body size and longer tarsus length relative to body mass. This foraging strategy was also associated with denser habitats, likely providing various substrates and hiding spots for prey, and thus flushing prey makes foraging more efficient. Similarly, families with broader latitudinal ranges that cover more diverse habitats and prey types were also associated with a higher likelihood of flush-pursue behaviour. Family-level invertivorous diet predicted the presence of flush-pursuers, as expected from the susceptibility of arthropod sensory systems to startle displays. These findings illustrate how convergent acquisition of this unique foraging strategy of birds is shaped by the combination of morphology and ecology. 2026-06-30T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60865 Title: Habitat urbanization, nest defense and breeding success in the Oriental Magpie (Pica serica) Author(s): Kim, Hyo-hyun; Lee, Sunghyun; Cho, Haeun; Park, Seong-guk; Shin, Eunmin; Jablonski, Piotr G.; Lee, Sang-im Abstract: Nest defense is one component of parental behavior performed to prevent the approaches of potential predators toward eggs and offspring. Although positive relationship between the occurrence and/or intensity of nest defense and the breeding success is expected, conflicting results have been reported. We hypothesized that habitat urbanization may confound the relationship between nest defense behavior and resulting breeding success. Based on the data collected during eight years, we explored the possibility that the relationship between nest defense behavior and breeding success may further depend on habitat urbanization in the Oriental Magpie (Pica serica). We found that magpie breeders with urbanized territories produced fewer fledglings. Furthermore, fledgling body condition was differentially related to the propensity of exhibiting nest defense behavior depending on habitat urbanization; among the breeders whose territories contain more urbanized areas, the breeders who exhibited more frequent nest defense behavior produced fledglings poorer in condition while opposite relationship was observed among the breeders with less urbanized territories. Our results suggest a possibility that habitat urbanization mediates the relationship between the frequency and/or intensity of nest defense behavior and the breeding success. 2026-07-31T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59947 Title: Comparison of thrust-generation strategies, midleg microstructures, and their functions in small water striders: Metrocoris histrio (Halobatinae) and Gerris latiabdominis (Gerrinae) Author(s): Lee, Jeongseop; Bang, Sang Yun; Kim, Woojoo; Jablonski, Piotr Grzegorz; Lee, Sang-im Abstract: Water strider (Gerridae) legs are covered with diverse setae providing hydrophobicity. It is understood theoretically how a layer of setae helps in supporting an insect and producing thrust by deforming the water surface with midleg strokes in a striding motion. However, little is known about the specific roles of diverse setae and how thrust-generation behaviour differs between species in different water flow conditions. We compared the microstructures and the use of the midlegs in standing and striding behaviour between Metrocoris histrio and Gerris latiabdominis, representing separate evolutionary lineages from fast-flowing/turbulent (Halobatinae) and slow-flowing/stagnant (Gerrinae) waters, respectively. The differences involve quicker attainment of higher maximal leg speed facilitated by an initially short wetted midleg, and a more asymmetric midleg dimple leading to faster body speed and acceleration in species living on fast-flowing water, where frequent fast strides are needed to counter the water current. We propose that these two species differ in how deeply the water surface penetrates the layer of setae and how it interacts with different microstructures during the thrust stroke. Our findings draw attention to unexplored functions of diverse microstructures on the ventral surface of the midlegs in water striders from different habitats, which have not been reflected fully in current models of semiaquatic insect hydrodynamics. 2025-08-31T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59944 Title: Distinct kinematics and micromorphology for symmetrical rowing and sliding on water in ripple bugs and water striders Author(s): Bang, Sang Yun; Kim, Woojoo; Lee, Jeongseop; Park, Jinseok; Khare, Versha; Lee, Sang-im; Jablonski, Piotr Grzegorz Abstract: Semiaquatic bugs evolved two different propulsion mechanisms for their symmetrical rowing: a drag-based propulsion in Veliidae and a surface-tension-based propulsion in Gerridae. However, the comparative leg micromorphology and kinematics underlying these two mechanisms remain underexplored. In this study, we compared leg micro- and nanostructures and kinematics of Rhagovelia distincta (Veliidae), which employs midleg fans as oar-like blades for drag-based thrust, with Gerris latiabdominis (Gerridae), which uses long midlegs for surface-tension-based thrust. R. distincta move their midlegs in short strokes and deployed fans which function as "leaky paddles" with higher anteroposterior rigidity, inferred from seta and setula structure, exploiting drag and potentially lift. Fan protraction into the water appeared to require muscle control, while elastocapillarity may contribute to fan shaping. In contrast, G. latiabdominis exhibited longer strokes with midlegs covered with dense hydrophobic hairs suited for surface-tension-based propulsion. Ventral setae on tarsal section producing surface-tension-based-thrust formed longitudinal rows-and-gaps in both species, with posterior rows particularly robust and nano-grooved in G. latiabdominis. Additionally, both formed ventral beam-like structures from overlapping flat-tipped setae on hindlegs and forelegs which are used for support and sliding. These findings generate new hypotheses for refining models of locomotion on water surface by insects with their micro/nano-morphological diversity. 2025-11-30T15:00:00Z