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Finet C, Ruan Q, Bei YY, You En Chan J, Saranathan V, Yang JKW, Monteiro A. Multi-scale dissection of wing transparency in the clearwing butterfly Phanus vitreus. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230135. [PMID: 37254701 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Optical transparency is rare in terrestrial organisms, and often originates through loss of pigmentation and reduction in scattering. The coloured wings of some butterflies and moths have repeatedly evolved transparency, offering examples of how they function optically and biologically. Because pigments are primarily localized in the scales that cover a colourless wing membrane, transparency has often evolved through the complete loss of scales or radical modification of their shape. Whereas bristle-like scales have been well documented in glasswing butterflies, other scale modifications resulting in transparency remain understudied. The butterfly Phanus vitreus achieves transparency while retaining its scales and exhibiting blue/cyan transparent zones. Here, we investigate the mechanism of wing transparency in P. vitreus by light microscopy, focused ion beam milling, microspectrophotometry and optical modelling. We show that transparency is achieved via loss of pigments and vertical orientation in normal paddle-like scales. These alterations are combined with an anti-reflective nipple array on portions of the wing membrane being more exposed to light. The blueish coloration of the P. vitreus transparent regions is due to the properties of the wing membrane, and local scale nanostructures. We show that scale retention in the transparent patches might be explained by these perpendicular scales having hydrophobic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Finet
- Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Qifeng Ruan
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372 Singapore
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Key Lab of Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Information System & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Optoelectronic Materials and Intelligent Photonic Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yang Bei
- Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - John You En Chan
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372 Singapore
| | - Vinodkumar Saranathan
- Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
- Division of Science, Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, 138609 Singapore
- NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative (NUSNNI), National University of Singapore, 117581 Singapore
| | - Joel K W Yang
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372 Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 138634 Singapore
| | - Antónia Monteiro
- Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
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Barrett M, O’Donnell S. Individual reflectance of solar radiation confers a thermoregulatory benefit to dimorphic males bees (Centris pallida) using distinct microclimates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0271250. [PMID: 36917573 PMCID: PMC10013911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Incoming solar radiation (wavelengths 290-2500 nm) significantly affects an organism's thermal balance via radiative heat gain. Species adapted to different environments can differ in solar reflectance profiles. We hypothesized that conspecific individuals using thermally distinct microhabitats to engage in fitness-relevant behaviors would show intraspecific differences in reflectance: we predicted individuals that use hot microclimates (where radiative heat gain represents a greater thermoregulatory challenge) would be more reflective across the entire solar spectrum than those using cooler microclimates. Differences in near-infrared (NIR) reflectance (700-2500 nm) are strongly indicative of thermoregulatory adaptation as, unlike differences in visible reflectance (400-700 nm), they are not perceived by ecological or social partners. We tested these predictions in male Centris pallida (Hymenoptera: Apidae) bees from the Sonoran Desert. Male C. pallida use alternative reproductive tactics that are associated with distinct microclimates: Large-morph males, with paler visible coloration, behave in an extremely hot microclimate close to the ground, while small-morph males, with a dark brown dorsal coloration, frequently use cooler microclimates above the ground near vegetation. We found that large-morph males had higher reflectance of solar radiation (UV through NIR) resulting in lower solar absorption coefficients. This thermoregulatory adaptation was specific to the dorsal surface, and produced by differences in hair, not cuticle, characteristics. Our results showed that intraspecific variation in behavior, particular in relation to microclimate use, can generate unique thermal adaptations that changes the reflectance of shortwave radiation among individuals within the same population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Barrett
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sean O’Donnell
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
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Tang CF, Li FF, Cao Y, Liao HJ. Universal cooling patterns of the butterfly wing scales hierarchy deduced from the heterogeneous thermal and structural properties of Tirumala limniace (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Danainae). INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1761-1772. [PMID: 35452162 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The radiative cooling of butterfly wing scales hierarchy has great value in understanding how poikilotherms adapt to the environment and developing bionic materials. However, it remains unclear what the cooling system is like and how the variation of hierarchy affects the cooling efficiency. Therefore, the correlation between the variations of the structure and emissivity of scale hierarchy is thoroughly investigated in Tirumala limniace (Cramer, 1775), whose thermal properties are highly heterogeneous among different wings and regions but similar between males and females. Patterns were deduced from the biological and model simulation experiments. The scale hierarchy varies at the micro- to nanolevel on both surface and section, corresponding to the variating emissivity. Scales on wing veins and margins have large nanostructured units with small lumens and are distinctly thickened, which bring extraordinarily high emissivity. The variations of light and dark scales, respectively, lead to the high emissivity of the middle region of wings and the front wings. Generally, the elevation of the inner surface area and the thickness of the chitin is the key to enhancing the cooling efficiency. For the first time, the effects of the variation of hierarchy toward emissivity of the mid-infrared spectrum are systematically clarified. It is demonstrated that wing scales integrally differentiate in coping with the heterogeneous cooling needs, which may benefit in balancing multifunctions and the development toward the adaptation to the abiotic environment. The study provides insights into the comprehensive thermoregulation system of butterflies and the further development of radiative cooling materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-Fei Tang
- Institute of Leisure Agriculture, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan-Fan Li
- Institute of Leisure Agriculture, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Cao
- Institute of Leisure Agriculture, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Huai-Jian Liao
- Institute of Leisure Agriculture, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
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Pinna CS, Vilbert M, Borensztajn S, Daney de Marcillac W, Piron-Prunier F, Pomerantz A, Patel NH, Berthier S, Andraud C, Gomez D, Elias M. Mimicry can drive convergence in structural and light transmission features of transparent wings in Lepidoptera. eLife 2021; 10:e69080. [PMID: 34930525 PMCID: PMC8691843 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Müllerian mimicry is a positive interspecific interaction, whereby co-occurring defended prey species share a common aposematic signal. In Lepidoptera, aposematic species typically harbour conspicuous opaque wing colour patterns with convergent optical properties among co-mimetic species. Surprisingly, some aposematic mimetic species have partially transparent wings, raising the questions of whether optical properties of transparent patches are also convergent, and of how transparency is achieved. Here, we conducted a comparative study of wing optics, micro and nanostructures in neotropical mimetic clearwing Lepidoptera, using spectrophotometry and microscopy imaging. We show that transparency, as perceived by predators, is convergent among co-mimics in some mimicry rings. Underlying micro- and nanostructures are also sometimes convergent despite a large structural diversity. We reveal that while transparency is primarily produced by microstructure modifications, nanostructures largely influence light transmission, potentially enabling additional fine-tuning in transmission properties. This study shows that transparency might not only enable camouflage but can also be part of aposematic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charline Sophie Pinna
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
| | - Maëlle Vilbert
- Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation (CRC), CNRS, MNHN, Ministère de la CultureParisFrance
| | - Stephan Borensztajn
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Université de Paris, CNRSParisFrance
| | | | - Florence Piron-Prunier
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
| | - Aaron Pomerantz
- Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleUnited States
- Department Integrative Biology, University of California BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | | | - Serge Berthier
- Institut des NanoSciences de Paris (INSP), Sorbonne Université, CNRSParisFrance
| | - Christine Andraud
- Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation (CRC), CNRS, MNHN, Ministère de la CultureParisFrance
| | - Doris Gomez
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), CNRS, Univ MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Marianne Elias
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
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Snell‐Rood EC, Smirnoff D, Cantrell H, Chapman K, Kirscht E, Stretch E. Bioinspiration as a method of problem-based STEM education: A case study with a class structured around the COVID-19 crisis. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16374-16386. [PMID: 34900221 PMCID: PMC8646331 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioinspiration is a promising lens for biology instruction as it allows the instructor to focus on current issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. From social distancing to oxygen stress, organisms have been tackling pandemic-related problems for millions of years. What can we learn from such diverse adaptations in our own applications? This review uses a seminar course on the COVID-19 crisis to illustrate bioinspiration as an approach to teaching biology content. At the start of the class, students mind-mapped the entire problem; this range of subproblems was used to structure the biology content throughout the entire class. Students came to individual classes with a brainstormed list of biological systems that could serve as inspiration for a particular problem (e.g., absorptive leaves in response to the problem of toilet paper shortages). After exploration of relevant biology content, discussion returned to the focal problem. Students dug deeper into the literature in a group project on mask design and biological systems relevant to filtration and transparency. This class structure was an engaging way for students to learn principles from ecology, evolution, behavior, and physiology. Challenges with this course design revolved around the interdisciplinary and creative nature of the structure; for instance, the knowledge of the participants was often stretched by engineering details. While the present class was focused on the COVID-19 crisis, a course structured through a bioinspired approach can be applied to other focal problems, or subject areas, giving instructors a powerful method to deliver interdisciplinary content in an integrated and inquiry-driven way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie C. Snell‐Rood
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and BehaviorUniversity of Minnesota‐Twin CitiesSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Dimitri Smirnoff
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and BehaviorUniversity of Minnesota‐Twin CitiesSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Curriculum and InstructionSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Hunter Cantrell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and BehaviorUniversity of Minnesota‐Twin CitiesSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Kaila Chapman
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and BehaviorUniversity of Minnesota‐Twin CitiesSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Elizabeth Kirscht
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and BehaviorUniversity of Minnesota‐Twin CitiesSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
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