patagia

Patagia, the plural of patagium, are membranous structures that increase the surface area of the body to enable flight or gliding in a variety of animals. The term is used for wing membranes in vertebrates and for certain thoracic lobes in insects, reflecting functional adaptations rather than a single homologous structure.

In bats, patagia constitute the wing membranes that connect the forelimbs to the hindlimbs and to the body. These include the propatagium (between the shoulder and wrist), the brachiopatagium (across the upper arm to the body), the plagiopatagium (along the flank to the hindlimb), the dactylopatagium (between digits), and the uropatagium (between the hind limbs). Together, they provide lift, maneuverability, and some control over thermoregulation and acoustics.

In gliding mammals such as flying squirrels and some marsupials, the patagium is a broad stretch of skin extending between the forelimbs and hindlimbs. This wing-like sheet allows controlled gliding trajectories between trees and is a key adaptation for locomotion in forest habitats.

In insects such as butterflies and moths, patagia refer to paired lateral lobes on the thorax that cover the base of the wings when at rest. These thoracic structures vary among species and can hold taxonomic significance in lepidopteran groups.

Overall, patagia denote specialized surfaces or lobes that modify surface area and wing presentation, aiding locomotion through flight or gliding across diverse taxa.