What evolutionary process, characterized by a significant reduction in body size, impacted ancestral wasps in the Mid-Triassic?
Answer
Miniaturization bottleneck
Paleontological findings concerning the ancestral wasps from the Mid-Triassic period, around 240 million years ago, indicate that these early insects underwent a profound 'miniaturization bottleneck.' This term describes an evolutionary phase where there was a substantial and pervasive reduction in the average body size of the insect group. This size constraint significantly influenced the subsequent structural evolution and morphology of these ancient insects, setting a baseline size that contrasts sharply with later evolutionary trends.
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