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Liu Y, Li S, Li Y, Wang X, Zhang H, Wu W, Cao Z, Huang K, Wu Y. Differential fluorescence features and recovery speeds of different scorpion exoskeleton parts during the molting process. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2024; 316:124309. [PMID: 38663137 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124309] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
Scorpion fluorescence under ultraviolet light is a well-known phenomenon, but its features under excitation in the UVA, UVB and UVC bands have not been characterized. Systematic fluorescence characterization revealed indistinguishable fluorescence spectra with a peak wavelength of 475 nm for whole exuviae from second-, third- and fifth-instar scorpions under different ultraviolet light ranges. In-depth investigations of the chelae, mesosoma, metasoma and telson of adult scorpions further indicated heterogeneity in the typical fluorescence spectrum within the visible light range and in the newly reported fluorescence spectrum with a peak wavelength of 320 nm within the ultraviolet light range, which both showed excitation wavelength-independent features. Dynamic fluorescence changes during the molting process of third-instar scorpions revealed the fluorescence heterogeneity-dependent recovery speed of scorpion exoskeletons. The typical fluorescence spectra of the molted chelae and telson rapidly recovered approximately 6 h after ecdysis under UVA light and approximately 36 h after ecdysis under UVB and UVC light. However, it took approximately 12 h and 24 h to obtain the typical fluorescence spectra of the molted metasoma and mesosoma, respectively, under UVA irradiation and 72 h to obtain the typical fluorescence spectra under UVB and UVC irradiation. The fluorescence heterogeneity-dependent fluorescence recovery of the scorpion exoskeleton was further confirmed by tissue section analysis of different segments from molting third-instar scorpions. These findings reveal novel scorpion fluorescence features and provide potential clues on the biological function of scorpion fluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Songryong Li
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Yitong Li
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xinrong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Haozhen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wenjin Wu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 N, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Kun Huang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 N, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Yingliang Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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de Oliveira Souza MC, Foerster SÍA, Salomão RP, Souza-Alves JP, de Moura GJB, Lira AFDA, Ferreira RB. The role of bromeliad structural complexity on the presence, spatial distribution and predator avoidance in Tityus neglectus (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11522. [PMID: 38835519 PMCID: PMC11148394 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11522] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The spatial arrangement of organisms is significantly influenced by the structure of vegetation. Bromeliads, characterized by a remarkable architectural design featuring rosette-like leaf arrangements for rainwater storage, act as habitats for various organisms. These organisms use bromeliads for shelter, foraging, reproduction and the supply of nutrients and moisture. This study investigated how specific aspects of bromeliad structure, such as the number, width and length of leaves, impact the behaviour and distribution patterns of the bromelicolous scorpion Tityus neglectus. In the examination of 110 sampled bromeliads, 33 scorpions were recorded, resulting in an occupancy rate of 30%. The likelihood of scorpion occurrence was associated with the plant's structure. The length and coefficient of variation in the width of leaves appeared as the main predictors, positively influencing scorpion presence while the number of leaves exhibited a negative relation with scorpion occurrence. The distribution of scorpions was uniform across the spatial design of bromeliads. Furthermore, T. neglectus demonstrated the ability to utilize water accumulated in the bromeliad to evade potential predators, submerging itself for, on mean, almost 8 min. We concluded that bromeliad structure is essential in shaping the distribution patterns and anti-predatory behaviour of T. neglectus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renato Portela Salomão
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Tlalnepantla de Baz Mexico
| | - João Pedro Souza-Alves
- Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife Brazil
| | | | - André Felipe de Araujo Lira
- Colección Nacional de Arácnidos Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Barbosa Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biologia Animal, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal Do Espírito Santo Vitória Espírito Santo Brazil
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Li S, Kim C, Zong S, Liu Y, Kang J, Pak C, Cao Z, Wu Y. Dynamic synthesis and transport of fluorescent substances from moulting scorpions. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 234:112511. [PMID: 35816856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2022.112511] [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: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion fluorescence under ultraviolet light is a well-known phenomenon, and its change is also a known biological feature during the scorpion moulting process. However, the synthesis and transport of fluorescent substances during the moulting stage remain unclear. In this study, in-depth investigations on the global fluorescence changes from the exoskeleton, fluorescence layer, coelomic fluid, and abdomen to the digestive glands indicated that the digestive glands, which occupy most of the space in the abdomen of the scorpion mesosoma segment, were responsible for synthesizing the fluorescent substances. More importantly, these fluorescent substances were produced in advance, before the moulting process, which contributed to the recovery of the fluorescent exoskeleton as early as possible. The synthesized fluorescent substances first entered the coelomic fluid, then successively passed through the inherent epithelial cell layer and two new formed endocuticle and exocuticle layers, and ultimately reached and became enriched in the new formed fluorescent layer, which was protected by the new epicuticle layer. These four new layers were the first to illustrate the structural features of the fluorescent exoskeleton. Due to the very soft body and the inability of the newly moulted scorpion to resist attacks from the predator, this special synthesis and transport strategy of the fluorescent substances could guarantee the rapid formation of the integrated fluorescent exoskeleton during the 24 h after ecdysis, which would be a novel biological feature during the scorpion evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songryong Li
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Cholman Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Shaozhi Zong
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jongguk Kang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Faculty of Life Science, Kim Il Sung University, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Cholmin Pak
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Gastrointestinal Hospital, Korean Red Cross General Hospital, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Zhijian Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Rojas-Calva AH, Hernández-Ortiz OJ, Muñoz-Pérez FM, Estrada-Villegas GM, Ortega-Mendoza JG, Veloz-Rodríguez MA, Imbert-Palafox JL, Vázquez-García RA. Mechanosynthesis of high molecular weight fluorescent derivatives of chitosan, linear and non-linear optical characterization. JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10965-021-02703-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Li S, Ri U, Qin C, Guo Y, Ri C, Li W, Cao Z, Wu Y. The rapid development of the first instar telson with venom secretion highlights the remarkable survival ability of scorpions. Toxicon 2021; 200:198-202. [PMID: 34390711 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.08.004] [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: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The scorpion venom system plays a critical role in capturing prey and defending against predators. In this study, the rapid developmental process of the first instar telson was first presented. The small amount of venom in the first instar could be stored well by the distorted and blocked venom ducts, which disappeared in the older scorpions. This special developmental process of the first instar telson revealed the notable survival ability of scorpions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songryong Li
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea
| | - Unchol Ri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea
| | - Chenhu Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yiyuan Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Changho Ri
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Faculty of Life Science, Kim Il Sung University, Pyongyang, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea
| | - Wenxin Li
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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