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Baban NS, Orozaliev A, Kirchhof S, Stubbs CJ, Song YA. Biomimetic fracture model of lizard tail autotomy. Science 2022; 375:770-774. [PMID: 35175822 DOI: 10.1126/science.abh1614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Lizard tail autotomy is an antipredator strategy consisting of sturdy attachment at regular times but quick detachment during need. We propose a biomimetic fracture model of lizard tail autotomy using multiscale hierarchical structures. The structures consist of uniformly distributed micropillars with nanoporous tops, which recapitulate the high-density mushroom-shaped microstructures found on the lizard tail's muscle fracture plane. The biomimetic experiments showed adhesion enhancement when combining nanoporous interfacial surfaces with flexible micropillars in tensile and peel modes. The fracture modeling identified micro- and nanostructure-based toughening mechanisms as the critical factor. Under wet conditions, capillarity-assisted energy dissipation pertaining to liquid-filled microgaps and nanopores further increased the adhesion performance. This research presents insights on lizard tail autotomy and provides new biomimetic ideas to solve adhesion problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navajit S Baban
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ajymurat Orozaliev
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sebastian Kirchhof
- Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Christopher J Stubbs
- Gildart Haase School of Computer Sciences and Engineering, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ 07666, USA
| | - Yong-Ak Song
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY 11201, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY 11201, USA
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Riedel J, Schwarzkopf L. Variation in density, but not morphology, of cutaneous sensilla among body regions in nine species of Australian geckos. J Morphol 2022; 283:637-652. [PMID: 35174531 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21462] [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: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Skin sense organs, i.e., cutaneous sensilla, are a well-known feature of the integument of squamate reptiles, and particularly geckos. They vary widely in morphology among species, and are thought to be mechanosensitive, associated with prey capture and handling, tail autotomy, and placement of the adhesive toepads in pad-bearing species. Some authors suggest that they may also sense abiotic environmental features, such as temperature, or humidity. Here, we describe the morphology and distribution of cutaneous sensilla among body regions of nine Australian gecko species, in four genera. We hypothesised that if sensilla morphology was distinct, or sensilla density high, around the mouth, on the tail, and on extremities, sensilla were likely used for these direct tactile functions. We found that sensilla morphology was uniform among body regions within species, but varied among species, while sensilla densities varied among species and body regions. In gecko species studied, sensilla density was highest on the labials and the dorsal tail scales, and low on the feet, head and body, providing strong support for the hypothesis that sensilla serve tactile mechanoreceptive functions for prey capture and handling and for predator avoidance, but not for toepad placement. We suggest sensilla density may be explained by mechanoreception, whereas structure may be influenced by other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrian Riedel
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.,Herpetology Section, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK) - Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Alibardi L. Spinal ganglia and peripheral nerves innervating the regenerating tail and muscles of lizards. J Morphol 2021; 282:1731-1744. [PMID: 34609016 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The present review summarizes available information on the contribution of regenerating nerves to the process of regeneration in the tail of lizards. From the last three segments of the spinal cord and ganglia proximal to the regenerating tail, motor, sensory somatic and autonomous nerves regenerate and richly innervate the growing blastema. However, experimental studies have indicated that peripheral nerves are not essential for stimulating the regeneration of the tail that instead is mainly sustained by the interaction of the apical ependyma with the wound epidermis. Ganglion neurons innervating the regenerating blastema increase their size and some satellite cells multiply but no ganglion neurons are regenerated. Numerous Schwann cells proliferate to keep pace with nerve regeneration, and they form myelin starting from 3 to 4 weeks of tail regeneration. The hypertrophic ganglion neurons synthesize growth factors and signaling proteins such as FGFs and Wnts that are transported into the regenerating blastema through the regenerating nerves. Nerves form synaptic-like contacts with mesenchymal cells or fibroblasts at the tip of the regenerating blastema but not synaptic boutons. These terminals may discharge stimulating factors that favor cell proliferation but this is not experimentally demonstrated. Most of the innervation is directed to differentiating muscles where nerve endings form cholinergic motor-plates. Transcriptome data on the regenerating blastema-cone detect up-regulation of various genes coding for ionic channels, neurotransmitter receptors and signaling proteins. The latter suggests that the neurotrophic stimulation may control cell proliferation but is most directed to the functionality of regenerating muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alibardi
- Comparative Histolab Padova and Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Liu Y, Chen Z, Han D, Mao J, Ma J, Zhang Y, Sun H. Bioinspired Soft Robots Based on the Moisture-Responsive Graphene Oxide. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002464. [PMID: 34026430 PMCID: PMC8132057 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO), which has many oxygen functional groups, is a promising candidate for use in moisture-responsive sensors and actuators due to the strong water-GO interaction and the ultrafast transport of water molecules within the stacked GO sheets. In the last 5 years, moisture-responsive actuators based on GO have shown distinct advantages over other stimuli-responsive materials and devices. Particularly, inspired by nature organisms, various moisture-enabled soft robots have been successfully developed via rational assembly of the GO-based actuators. Herein, the milestones in the development of moisture-responsive soft robots based on GO are summarized. In addition, the working mechanisms, design principles, current achievement, and prospects are also comprehensively reviewed. In particular, the GO-based soft robots are at the forefront of the advancement of automatable smart devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
| | - Zhao‐Di Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
| | - Dong‐Dong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
| | - Jiang‐Wei Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
| | - Jia‐Nan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
| | - Yong‐Lai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
| | - Hong‐Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated OptoelectronicsCollege of Electronic Science and EngineeringJilin University2699 Qianjin StreetChangchun130012China
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and InstrumentsDepartment of Precision InstrumentTsinghua UniversityHaidian DistrictBeijing100084China
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Bradley SS, Howe E, Bent LR, Vickaryous MK. Cutaneous tactile sensitivity before and after tail loss and regeneration in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.234054. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.234054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Amongst tetrapods, mechanoreceptors on the feet establish a sense of body placement and help to facilitate posture and biomechanics. Mechanoreceptors are necessary for stabilizing the body while navigating through changing terrains or responding to a sudden change in body mass and orientation. Lizards such as the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) employ autotomy – a voluntary detachment of a portion of the tail – to escape predation. Tail autotomy represents a natural form of significant (and localized) mass loss. Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments were used to investigate the effect of tail autotomy (and subsequent tail regeneration) on tactile sensitivity of each appendage of the leopard gecko. Prior to autotomy, we identified site-specific differences in tactile sensitivity across the ventral surfaces of the hindlimbs, forelimbs and tail. Repeated monofilament testing of both control (tail-intact) and tail-loss geckos had a significant sensitization effect (i.e. decrease in tactile threshold, maintained over time) in all regions of interest except the palmar surfaces of the forelimbs in post-autotomy geckos, compared with baseline testing. Although the regenerated tail is not an exact replica of the original, tactile sensitivity is shown to be effectively restored at this site. Re-establishment of tactile sensitivity on the ventral surface of the regenerate tail points towards a (continued) role in predator detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie S. Bradley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Erika Howe
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Leah R. Bent
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Matthew K. Vickaryous
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
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Comparative epidermal microstructure anatomy and limb and tail osteology of eyelid geckos (Squamata: Eublepharidae): Implications of ecomorphological adaptations. ZOOL ANZ 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Riedel J, Vucko MJ, Blomberg SP, Robson SKA, Schwarzkopf L. Ecological associations among epidermal microstructure and scale characteristics of Australian geckos (Squamata: Carphodactylidae and Diplodactylidae). J Anat 2019; 234:853-874. [PMID: 30861577 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A first step in examining factors influencing trait evolution is demonstrating associations between traits and environmental factors. Scale microstructure is a well-studied feature of squamate reptiles (Squamata), including geckos, but few studies examine ecology the of microstructures, and those focus mainly on toe pads. In this study, the ecomorphology of cutaneous microstructures on the dorsum was described for eight Australian species of carphodactylid (Squamata: Carphodactylidae) and 19 diplodactylid (Squamata: Diplodactylidae) geckos. We examined scale dimensions, spinule and cutaneous sensilla (CS) morphology, using scanning electron microscopy, and described associations of these traits with microhabitat selection (arboreal, saxicoline or terrestrial) and relative humidity of each species' habitat (xeric, mesic or humid). We used a phylogenetic flexible discriminant analysis (pFDA) to describe relationships among all traits and then a modeling approach to examine each trait individually. Our analysis showed that terrestrial species tended to have long spinules and CS with more bristles, saxicoline species larger diameter CS and arboreal species tended to have large granule scales and small intergranule scales. There was high overlap in cutaneous microstructural morphology among species from xeric and mesic environments, whereas species from humid environments had large diameter CS and few bristles. Significant associations between epidermal morphology and environmental humidity and habitat suggest that epidermal microstructures have evolved in response to environmental variables. In summary, long spinules, which aid self-cleaning in terrestrial geckos, are consistent with greater exposure to dirt and debris in this habitat. Long spinules were not clearly correlated to environmental humidity. Finally, more complex CS (larger diameter with more bristles) may facilitate better perception of environmental variation in geckos living in drier habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrian Riedel
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew J Vucko
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Simone P Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon K A Robson
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Russell AP, Lynn SE, Powell GL, Cottle A. The regenerated tail of juvenile leopard geckos (Gekkota: Eublepharidae: Eublepharis macularius) preferentially stores more fat than the original. ZOOLOGY 2015; 118:183-91. [PMID: 25935709 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The tail of many species of lizard is used as a site of fat storage, and caudal autotomy is a widespread phenomenon among lizards. This means that caudal fat stores are at risk of being lost if the tail is autotomized. For fat-tailed species, such as the leopard gecko, this may be particularly costly. Previous work has shown that tail regeneration in juveniles of this species is rapid and that it receives priority for energy allocation, even when dietary resources are markedly reduced. We found that the regenerated tails of juvenile leopard geckos are more massive than their original counterparts, regardless of dietary intake, and that they exhibit greater amounts of skeleton, inner fat, muscle and subcutaneous fat than original tails (as assessed through cross-sectional area measurements of positionally equivalent stations along the tail). Autotomy and regeneration result in changes in tail shape, mass and the pattern of tissue distribution within the tail. The regenerated tail exhibits enhanced fat storage capacity, even in the face of a diet that results in significant slowing of body growth. Body growth is thus sacrificed at the expense of rapid tail growth. Fat stores laid down rapidly in the regenerating tail may later be used to fuel body growth or reproductive investment. The regenerated tail thus seems to have adaptive roles of its own, and provides a potential vehicle for studying trade-offs that relate to life history strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4.
| | - Sabrina E Lynn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - G Lawrence Powell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Andrew Cottle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
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