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Leggett MA, Vink CJ, Nelson XJ. Adaptation and Survival of Marine-Associated Spiders (Araneae). ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 69:481-501. [PMID: 37788437 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-062923-102457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environments are an unusual habitat for most arthropods. Nevertheless, many arthropod species that were once terrestrial dwelling have transitioned back to marine and freshwater environments, either as semiaquatic or, more rarely, as fully aquatic inhabitants. Transition to water from land is exceptional, and without respiratory modifications to allow for extended submergence and the associated hypoxic conditions, survival is limited. In this article, we review marine-associated species that have made this rare transition in a generally terrestrial group, spiders. We include several freshwater spider species for comparative purposes. Marine-associated spiders comprise less than 0.3% of spider species worldwide but are found in over 14% of all spider families. As we discuss, these spiders live in environments that, with tidal action, hydraulic forces, and saltwater, are more extreme than freshwater habitats, often requiring physiological and behavioral adaptations to survive. Spiders employ many methods to survive inundation from encroaching tides, such as air bubble respiration, airtight nests, hypoxic comas, and fleeing incoming tides. While airway protection is the primary survival strategy, further survival adaptations include saltwater-induced osmotic regulation, dietary composition, predator avoidance, reproduction, locomotory responses, and adaptation to extreme temperatures and hydrostatic pressures that challenge existence in marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene A Leggett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand;
| | - Cor J Vink
- Department of Pest Management and Conservation, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Ximena J Nelson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand;
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2
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Schaber CF, Grawe I, Gorb SN. Attachment discs of the diving bell spider Argyroneta aquatica. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1232. [PMID: 38057422 PMCID: PMC10700320 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To adhere their silk threads for the construction of webs and to fix the dragline, spiders produce attachment discs of piriform silk. Uniquely, the aquatic spider Argyroneta aquatica spends its entire life cycle underwater. Therefore, it has to glue its attachment discs to substrates underwater. Here we show that Argyroneta aquatica applies its thread anchors within an air layer around the spinnerets maintained by superhydrophobic setae. During spinning, symmetric movements of the spinnerets ensure retaining air in the contact area. The flat structure of the attachment discs is thought to facilitate fast curing of the piriform adhesive cement and improves the resistance against drag forces. Pull-off tests on draglines connected with attachment discs on different hydrophilic substrates point to dragline rupture as the failure mode. The Young´s modulus of the dragline (8.3 GPa) is within the range as in terrestrial spiders. The shown structural and behavioral adaptations can be the model for new artificial underwater gluing devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens F Schaber
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Ingo Grawe
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
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3
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Heckenhauer J, Stewart RJ, Ríos-Touma B, Powell A, Dorji T, Frandsen PB, Pauls SU. Characterization of the primary structure of the major silk gene, h-fibroin, across caddisfly (Trichoptera) suborders. iScience 2023; 26:107253. [PMID: 37529107 PMCID: PMC10387566 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Larvae of caddisflies (Trichoptera) produce silk to build various underwater structures allowing them to exploit a wide range of aquatic environments. The silk adheres to various substrates underwater and has high tensile strength, extensibility, and toughness and is of interest as a model for biomimetic adhesives. As a step toward understanding how the properties of underwater silk evolved in Trichoptera, we used genomic data to identify full-length sequences and characterize the primary structure of the major silk protein, h-fibroin, across the order. The h-fibroins have conserved termini and basic motif structure with high variation in repeating modules and variation in the percentage of amino acids, mainly proline. This finding might be linked to differences in mechanical properties related to the different silk usage and sets a starting point for future studies to screen and correlate amino acid motifs and other sequence features with quantifiable silk properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Heckenhauer
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Hesse 60325, Germany
- Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse 60325, Germany
| | - Russell J. Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Blanca Ríos-Touma
- Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ingeniería Ambiental, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, EC 170124, Ecuador
| | - Ashlyn Powell
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Tshering Dorji
- Department of Environment and Climate Studies, Royal University of Bhutan, Punakha 13001, Bhutan
| | - Paul B. Frandsen
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Hesse 60325, Germany
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
- Data Science Lab, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Steffen U. Pauls
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Hesse 60325, Germany
- Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse 60325, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Hesse 35392; Germany
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4
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Joel AC, Rawal A, Yao Y, Jenner A, Ariotti N, Weissbach M, Adler L, Stafstrom J, Blamires SJ. Physico-chemical properties of functionally adhesive spider silk nanofibres. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:2139-2150. [PMID: 36727424 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01599d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Currently, synthetic fibre production focuses primarily on high performance materials. For high performance fibrous materials, such as silks, this involves interpreting the structure-function relationship and downsizing to a smaller scale to then harness those properties within synthetic products. Spiders create an array of fibres that range in size from the micrometre to nanometre scale. At about 20 nm diameter spider cribellate silk, the smallest of these silks, is too small to contain any of the typical secondary protein structures of other spider silks, let alone a hierarchical skin-core-type structure. Here, we performed a multitude of investigations to elucidate the structure of cribellate spider silk. These confirmed our hypothesis that, unlike all other types of spider silk, it has a disordered molecular structure. Alanine and glycine, the two amino acids predominantly found in other spider silks, were much less abundant and did not form the usual α-helices and β-sheet secondary structural arrangements. Correspondingly, we characterized the cribellate silk nanofibre to be very compliant. This characterization matches its function as a dry adhesive within the capture threads of cribellate spiders. Our results imply that at extremely small scales there may be a limit reached below which a silk will lose its structural, but not functional, integrity. Nano-sized fibres, such as cribellate silk, thus offer a new opportunity for inspiring the creation of novel scaled-down functional adhesives and nano meta-materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Christin Joel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. .,School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Aditya Rawal
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yin Yao
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew Jenner
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas Ariotti
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Lewis Adler
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jay Stafstrom
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Sean J Blamires
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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5
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Correa-Garhwal SM, Baker RH, Clarke TH, Ayoub NA, Hayashi CY. The evolutionary history of cribellate orb-weaver capture thread spidroins. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:89. [PMID: 35810286 PMCID: PMC9270836 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02042-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spiders have evolved two types of sticky capture threads: one with wet adhesive spun by ecribellate orb-weavers and another with dry adhesive spun by cribellate spiders. The evolutionary history of cribellate capture threads is especially poorly understood. Here, we use genomic approaches to catalog the spider-specific silk gene family (spidroins) for the cribellate orb-weaver Uloborus diversus. Results We show that the cribellar spidroin, which forms the puffy fibrils of cribellate threads, has three distinct repeat units, one of which is conserved across cribellate taxa separated by ~ 250 Mya. We also propose candidates for a new silk type, paracribellar spidroins, which connect the puffy fibrils to pseudoflagelliform support lines. Moreover, we describe the complete repeat architecture for the pseudoflagelliform spidroin (Pflag), which contributes to extensibility of pseudoflagelliform axial fibers. Conclusions Our finding that Pflag is closely related to Flag, supports homology of the support lines of cribellate and ecribellate capture threads. It further suggests an evolutionary phase following gene duplication, in which both Flag and Pflag were incorporated into the axial lines, with subsequent loss of Flag in uloborids, and increase in expression of Flag in ecribellate orb-weavers, explaining the distinct mechanical properties of the axial lines of these two groups. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-02042-5.
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6
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Robson M, Chooi KM, Blouin AG, Knight S, MacDiarmid RM. A National Catalogue of Viruses Associated with Indigenous Species Reveals High-Throughput Sequencing as a Driver of Indigenous Virus Discovery. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112477. [PMID: 36366575 PMCID: PMC9693408 DOI: 10.3390/v14112477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are important constituents of ecosystems, with the capacity to alter host phenotype and performance. However, virus discovery cued by disease symptoms overlooks latent or beneficial viruses, which are best detected using targeted virus detection or discovered by non-targeted methods, e.g., high-throughput sequencing (HTS). To date, in 64 publications, 701 viruses have been described associated with indigenous species of Aotearoa New Zealand. Viruses were identified in indigenous birds (189 viruses), bats (13 viruses), starfish (4 viruses), insects (280 viruses), and plants (126 viruses). HTS gave rise to a 21.9-fold increase in virus discovery rate over the targeted methods, and 72.7-fold over symptom-based methods. The average number of viruses reported per publication has also increased proportionally over time. The use of HTS has driven the described national virome recently by 549 new-to-science viruses; all are indigenous. This report represents the first catalogue of viruses associated with indigenous species of a country. We provide evidence that the application of HTS to samples of Aotearoa New Zealand's unique fauna and flora has driven indigenous virus discovery, a key step in the process to understand the role of viruses in the biological diversity and ecology of the land, sea, and air environments of a country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlyn Robson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Kar Mun Chooi
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | | | - Sarah Knight
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Robin Marion MacDiarmid
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Correspondence:
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7
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Arakawa K, Kono N, Malay AD, Tateishi A, Ifuku N, Masunaga H, Sato R, Tsuchiya K, Ohtoshi R, Pedrazzoli D, Shinohara A, Ito Y, Nakamura H, Tanikawa A, Suzuki Y, Ichikawa T, Fujita S, Fujiwara M, Tomita M, Blamires SJ, Chuah JA, Craig H, Foong CP, Greco G, Guan J, Holland C, Kaplan DL, Sudesh K, Mandal BB, Norma-Rashid Y, Oktaviani NA, Preda RC, Pugno NM, Rajkhowa R, Wang X, Yazawa K, Zheng Z, Numata K. 1000 spider silkomes: Linking sequences to silk physical properties. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo6043. [PMID: 36223455 PMCID: PMC9555773 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Spider silks are among the toughest known materials and thus provide models for renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable biopolymers. However, the entirety of their diversity still remains elusive, and silks that exceed the performance limits of industrial fibers are constantly being found. We obtained transcriptome assemblies from 1098 species of spiders to comprehensively catalog silk gene sequences and measured the mechanical, thermal, structural, and hydration properties of the dragline silks of 446 species. The combination of these silk protein genotype-phenotype data revealed essential contributions of multicomponent structures with major ampullate spidroin 1 to 3 paralogs in high-performance dragline silks and numerous amino acid motifs contributing to each of the measured properties. We hope that our global sampling, comprehensive testing, integrated analysis, and open data will provide a solid starting point for future biomaterial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Kono
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
| | - Ali D. Malay
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ayaka Tateishi
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Nao Ifuku
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Masunaga
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Ryota Sato
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Kousuke Tsuchiya
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Rintaro Ohtoshi
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | | | | | - Yusuke Ito
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Akio Tanikawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yuya Suzuki
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Takeaki Ichikawa
- Kokugakuin Kugayama High School, Suginami, Tokyo 168-0082, Japan
| | - Shohei Fujita
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Saga University, Saga 840-8502, Japan
| | - Masayuki Fujiwara
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
| | - Sean J. Blamires
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jo-Ann Chuah
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hamish Craig
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Choon P. Foong
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Juan Guan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chris Holland
- Natural Materials Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Kumar Sudesh
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Biman B. Mandal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, 781 039 Assam, India
- Center for Nanotechnology, IITG, Guwahati, 781 039 Assam, India
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, IITG, Guwahati, 781 039 Assam, India
| | - Y. Norma-Rashid
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur A. Oktaviani
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Rucsanda C. Preda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS London, UK
| | - Rangam Rajkhowa
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Xiaoqin Wang
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kenjiro Yazawa
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Zhaozhu Zheng
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
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8
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Chan NJ, Lentz S, Gurr PA, Scheibel T, Qiao GG. Mimicry of silk utilizing synthetic polypeptides. Prog Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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9
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Critical role of minor eggcase silk component in promoting spidroin chain alignment and strong fiber formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2100496118. [PMID: 34531321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100496118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural spider silk with extraordinary mechanical properties is typically spun from more than one type of spidroin. Although the main components of various spider silks have been widely studied, little is known about the molecular role of the minor silk components in spidroin self-assembly and fiber formation. Here, we show that the minor component of spider eggcase silk, TuSp2, not only accelerates self-assembly but remarkably promotes molecular chain alignment of spidroins upon physical shearing. NMR structure of the repetitive domain of TuSp2 reveals that its dimeric structure with unique charged surface serves as a platform to recruit different domains of the main eggcase component TuSp1. Artificial fiber spun from the complex between TuSp1 and TuSp2 minispidroins exhibits considerably higher strength and Young's modulus than its native counterpart. These results create a framework for rationally designing silk biomaterials based on distinct roles of silk components.
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10
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Zuluaga-Vélez A, Quintero-Martinez A, Orozco LM, Sepúlveda-Arias JC. Silk fibroin nanocomposites as tissue engineering scaffolds - A systematic review. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111924. [PMID: 34328093 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Silk fibroin is a protein with intrinsic characteristics that make it a good candidate as a scaffold for tissue engineering. Recent works have enhanced its benefits by adding inorganic phases that interact with silk fibroin in different ways. A systematic review was performed in four databases to study the physicochemical and biological performance of silk fibroin nanocomposites. In the last decade, only 51 articles contained either in vitro cell culture models or in vivo tests. The analysis of such works resulted in their classification into the following scaffold types: particles, mats and textiles, films, hydrogels, sponge-like structures, and mixed conformations. From the physicochemical perspective, the inorganic phase imbued in silk fibroin nanocomposites resulted in better stability and mechanical performance. This review revealed that the inorganic phase may be associated with specific biological responses, such as neovascularisation, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity. The study of nanocomposites as tissue engineering scaffolds is a highly active area mostly focused on bone and cartilage regeneration with promising results. Nonetheless, there are still many challenges related to their application in other tissues, a better understanding of the interaction between the inorganic and organic phases, and the associated biological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Zuluaga-Vélez
- Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Adrián Quintero-Martinez
- Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Lina M Orozco
- Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia; Grupo Polifenoles, Facultad de Tecnologías, Escuela de Química, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Juan C Sepúlveda-Arias
- Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
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11
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Li F, Bian C, Li D, Shi Q. Spider Silks: An Overview of Their Component Proteins for Hydrophobicity and Biomedical Applications. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:255-269. [PMID: 32895035 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200907104401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Spider silks have received extensive attention from scientists and industries around the world because of their remarkable mechanical properties, which include high tensile strength and extensibility. It is a leading-edge biomaterial resource, with a wide range of potential applications. Spider silks are composed of silk proteins, which are usually very large molecules, yet many silk proteins still remain largely underexplored. While there are numerous reviews on spider silks from diverse perspectives, here we provide a most up-to-date overview of the spider silk component protein family in terms of its molecular structure, evolution, hydrophobicity, and biomedical applications. Given the confusion regarding spidroin naming, we emphasize the need for coherent and consistent nomenclature for spidroins and provide recommendations for pre-existing spidroin names that are inconsistent with nomenclature. We then review recent advances in the components, identification, and structures of spidroin genes. We next discuss the hydrophobicity of spidroins, with particular attention on the unique aquatic spider silks. Aquatic spider silks are less known but may inspire innovation in biomaterials. Furthermore, we provide new insights into antimicrobial peptides from spider silk glands. Finally, we present possibilities for future uses of spider silks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Li
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Bian
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiong Shi
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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Li F, Lv Y, Wen Z, Bian C, Zhang X, Guo S, Shi Q, Li D. The complete mitochondrial genome of the intertidal spider (Desis jiaxiangi) provides novel insights into the adaptive evolution of the mitogenome and the evolution of spiders. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:72. [PMID: 33931054 PMCID: PMC8086345 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01803-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although almost all extant spider species live in terrestrial environments, a few species live fully submerged in freshwater or seawater. The intertidal spiders (genus Desis) built silk nests within coral crevices can survive submerged in high tides. The diving bell spider, Argyroneta aquatica, resides in a similar dynamic environment but exclusively in freshwater. Given the pivotal role played by mitochondria in supplying most energy for physiological activity via oxidative phosphorylation and the environment, herein we sequenced the complete mitogenome of Desis jiaxiangi to investigate the adaptive evolution of the aquatic spider mitogenomes and the evolution of spiders. RESULTS We assembled a complete mitogenome of the intertidal spider Desis jiaxiangi and performed comparative mitochondrial analyses of data set comprising of Desis jiaxiangi and other 45 previously published spider mitogenome sequences, including that of Argyroneta aquatica. We found a unique transposition of trnL2 and trnN genes in Desis jiaxiangi. Our robust phylogenetic topology clearly deciphered the evolutionary relationships between Desis jiaxiangi and Argyroneta aquatica as well as other spiders. We dated the divergence of Desis jiaxiangi and Argyroneta aquatica to the late Cretaceous at ~ 98 Ma. Our selection analyses detected a positive selection signal in the nd4 gene of the aquatic branch comprising both Desis jiaxiangi and Argyroneta aquatica. Surprisingly, Pirata subpiraticus, Hypochilus thorelli, and Argyroneta aquatica each had a higher Ka/Ks value in the 13 PCGs dataset among 46 taxa with complete mitogenomes, and these three species also showed positive selection signal in the nd6 gene. CONCLUSIONS Our finding of the unique transposition of trnL2 and trnN genes indicates that these genes may have experienced rearrangements in the history of intertidal spider evolution. The positive selection signals in the nd4 and nd6 genes might enable a better understanding of the spider metabolic adaptations in relation to different environments. Our construction of a novel mitogenome for the intertidal spider thus sheds light on the evolutionary history of spiders and their mitogenomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Li
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen, 518083 China
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062 Hubei China
| | - Yunyun Lv
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Life Sciences, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang, 641100 China
| | - Zhengyong Wen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Chao Bian
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Shengtao Guo
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Qiong Shi
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
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Saric M, Eisoldt L, Döring V, Scheibel T. Interplay of Different Major Ampullate Spidroins during Assembly and Implications for Fiber Mechanics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2006499. [PMID: 33496360 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202006499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Major ampullate (MA) spider silk has fascinating mechanical properties combining strength and elasticity. All known natural MA silks contain at least two or more different spidroins; however, it is unknown why and if there is any interplay in the spinning dope. Here, two different spidroins from Araneus diadematus are co-produced in Escherichia coli to study the possible dimerization and effects thereof on the mechanical properties of fibers. During the production of the two spidroins, a mixture of homo- and heterodimers is formed triggered by the carboxyl-terminal domains. Interestingly, homodimeric species of the individual spidroins self-assemble differently in comparison to heterodimers, and stoichiometric mixtures of homo- and heterodimers yield spidroin networks upon assembly with huge impact on fiber mechanics upon spinning. The obtained results provide the basis for man-made tuning of spinning dopes to yield high-performance fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merisa Saric
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
| | - Lukas Eisoldt
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
| | - Volker Döring
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
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14
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Davey PA, Power AM, Santos R, Bertemes P, Ladurner P, Palmowski P, Clarke J, Flammang P, Lengerer B, Hennebert E, Rothbächer U, Pjeta R, Wunderer J, Zurovec M, Aldred N. Omics-based molecular analyses of adhesion by aquatic invertebrates. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1051-1075. [PMID: 33594824 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Many aquatic invertebrates are associated with surfaces, using adhesives to attach to the substratum for locomotion, prey capture, reproduction, building or defence. Their intriguing and sophisticated biological glues have been the focus of study for decades. In all but a couple of specific taxa, however, the precise mechanisms by which the bioadhesives stick to surfaces underwater and (in many cases) harden have proved to be elusive. Since the bulk components are known to be based on proteins in most organisms, the opportunities provided by advancing 'omics technologies have revolutionised bioadhesion research. Time-consuming isolation and analysis of single molecules has been either replaced or augmented by the generation of massive data sets that describe the organism's translated genes and proteins. While these new approaches have provided resources and opportunities that have enabled physiological insights and taxonomic comparisons that were not previously possible, they do not provide the complete picture and continued multi-disciplinarity is essential. This review covers the various ways in which 'omics have contributed to our understanding of adhesion by aquatic invertebrates, with new data to illustrate key points. The associated challenges are highlighted and priorities are suggested for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Davey
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Anne Marie Power
- Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Room 226, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Romana Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (MARE), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Philip Bertemes
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Peter Ladurner
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Pawel Palmowski
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Jessica Clarke
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Patrick Flammang
- Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Unit, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, Mons, 7000, Belgium
| | - Birgit Lengerer
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Elise Hennebert
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, Mons, 7000, Belgium
| | - Ute Rothbächer
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Robert Pjeta
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Julia Wunderer
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Nick Aldred
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, U.K
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Ma X, Shang M, Su B, Wiley A, Bangs M, Alston V, Simora RM, Nguyen MT, Backenstose NJC, Moss AG, Duong TY, Wang X, Dunham RA. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis During the Seven Developmental Stages of Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) and Tra Catfish ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) Provides Novel Insights for Terrestrial Adaptation. Front Genet 2021; 11:608325. [PMID: 33552125 PMCID: PMC7859520 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.608325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), also known as striped catfish, is a facultative air-breather that uses its swim bladder as an air-breathing organ (ABO). A related species in the same order (Siluriformes), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), does not possess an ABO and thus cannot breathe in the air. Tra and channel catfish serve as great comparative models for investigating possible genetic underpinnings of aquatic to land transitions, as well as for understanding genes that are crucial for the development of the swim bladder and the function of air-breathing in tra catfish. In this study, hypoxia challenge and microtomy experiments collectively revealed critical time points for the development of the air-breathing function and swim bladder in tra catfish. Seven developmental stages in tra catfish were selected for RNA-seq analysis based on their transition to a stage that could live at 0 ppm oxygen. More than 587 million sequencing clean reads were generated, and a total of 21,448 unique genes were detected. A comparative genomic analysis between channel catfish and tra catfish revealed 76 genes that were present in tra catfish, but absent from channel catfish. In order to further narrow down the list of these candidate genes, gene expression analysis was performed for these tra catfish-specific genes. Fourteen genes were inferred to be important for air-breathing. Of these, HRG, GRP, and CX3CL1 were identified to be the most likely genes related to air-breathing ability in tra catfish. This study provides a foundational data resource for functional genomic studies in air-breathing function in tra catfish and sheds light on the adaptation of aquatic organisms to the terrestrial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Ma
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Mei Shang
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Baofeng Su
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Anne Wiley
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Max Bangs
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States.,Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Veronica Alston
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Rhoda Mae Simora
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States.,College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Philippines
| | - Mai Thi Nguyen
- College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Nathan J C Backenstose
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Anthony G Moss
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Thuy-Yen Duong
- College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Xu Wang
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States.,Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, United States
| | - Rex A Dunham
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.,Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL, United States
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Natural arrangement of fiber-like aragonites and its impact on mechanical behavior of mollusk shells: A review. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 110:103940. [PMID: 32957234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During billions of years of evolution, creatures in nature have possessed nearly perfect structures and functions for survival. Multiscale structures in biological materials over several length scales play a pivotal role in achieving structural and functional integrity. Fiber, as a common principal structural element in nature, can be easily constructed in different ways, thus resulting in various natural structures. In this review, we summarized the decades of investigations on a typical biological structure constructed by fiber aragonites in mollusk shells. Crossed-lamellar structure, as one of the most widespread structures in mollusk shells, reconciles the strength-toughness trade-off dilemma successfully due to the presence of highly-hierarchical architectures. This distinctive structure includes several orders of sub-lamellae, and the different order lamellae present a cross-ply feature in one macro crossed-lamellar layer. When a mollusk shell has more than one macro-layer, the crossed-lamellar structure exhibits various forms of architectures including 0°/90°, 0°/90°/0° typical-sandwich, 15°/75°/0° quasi-sandwich, and 0°/90°/0°/90° arranged modes. The fracture resistance and the relevant toughening mechanisms are directly related to the highly-hierarchical crossed-lamellar structures on different length scales. This article is aimed to review the different arranged modes of crossed-lamellar structures existing in nature, with special attention to their impact on the mechanical behavior and salient toughening mechanisms over several length scales, for seeking the design guidelines for the fabrication of bio-inspired advanced engineering materials that are adaptive to different loading conditions.
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17
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Vermeij GJ. The ecology of marine colonization by terrestrial arthropods. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2020; 56:100930. [PMID: 32200289 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial arthropods often colonized and became important in freshwater ecosystems, but did so less often and with little consequence in marine habitats. This pattern cannot be explained by the physical properties of water alone or by limitations of the terrestrial arthropod body plan alone. One hypothesis is that transitions among terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems are unlikely when well-adapted incumbent species in the recipient realm collectively resist entry by initially less well adapted newcomers. I evaluated and modified this hypothesis by examining the properties of donor and recipient ecosystems and the roles that insects play or do not play in each. I argue that the insularity and diminished competitiveness of most freshwater ecosystems makes them vulnerable to invasion from land and sea, and largely prevent transitions from freshwater to terrestrial and marine habitats by arthropods. Small terrestrial arthropods emphasize high locomotor performance and long-distance communication, traits that work less well in the denser, more viscous medium of water. These limitations pose particular challenges for insects colonizing highly escalated marine ecosystems, where small incumbent species rely more on passive than on active defences. Predatory insects are less constrained than herbivores, wood-borers, filter-feeders, sediment burrowers and social species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geerat J Vermeij
- Dept. Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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