Rhagovelia

Rhagovelia is a genus of smaller water striders in the family Veliidae. There are at least 390 described species in Rhagovelia.
It was reported in 2025 that the biophysical properties of members of this genus had been used to design feet for water strider-like robots.

Evolution

Origins

The origins of the genus are among water striders of Veliidae family without propelling fans on their legs.

Evolution from water striders

Genes 'geisha' and 'mother-of-geisha'

The duplication of genes, called by researchers 'geisha' and 'mother-of-geisha', caused evolutionary creation of propelling fans on middle pair of water strider's legs which in its turn has made able for species in the genus to walk across more fast-flowing and turbulent streams.