Gene Makes Water Striders Glide Across Water
Monday, August 17, 2009 - 09:14
in Biology & Nature
Water striders, the familiar semi-aquatic bugs gliding across the lake at the cottage, have a novel body form that allows them to walk on water. Achieving the gliding ability required the evolution of a unique arrangement of the legs, with the mid-legs greatly elongated. Scientists have discovered the gene behind this evolutionary change.