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Zhang J, Wang P, Xie W, Wang H, Zhang Y, Zhou H. Cephalopod-Inspired Nanomaterials for Optical and Thermal Regulation: Mechanisms, Applications and Perspectives. ACS NANO 2024; 18:24741-24769. [PMID: 39177374 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c08338] [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: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The manipulation of interactions between light and matter plays a crucial role in the evolution of organisms and a better life for humans. As a result of natural selection, precise light-regulatory systems of biology have been engineered that provide many powerful and promising bioinspired strategies. As the "king of disguise", cephalopods, which can perfectly control the propagation of light and thus achieve excellent surrounding-matching via their delicate skin structure, have made themselves an exciting source of inspiration for developing optical and thermal regulation nanomaterials. This review presents cutting-edge advancements in cephalopod-inspired optical and thermal regulation nanomaterials, highlighting the key milestones and breakthroughs achieved thus far. We begin with the underlying mechanisms of the adaptive color-changing ability of cephalopods, as well as their special hierarchical skin structure. Then, different types of bioinspired nanomaterials and devices are comprehensively summarized. Furthermore, some advanced and emerging applications of these nanomaterials and devices, including camouflage, thermal management, pixelation, medical health, sensing and wireless communication, are addressed. Finally, some remaining but significant challenges and potential directions for future work are discussed. We anticipate that this comprehensive review will promote the further development of cephalopod-inspired nanomaterials for optical and thermal regulation and trigger ideas for bioinspired design of nanomaterials in multidisciplinary applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Future Materials Innovation Center, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Pan Wang
- State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Future Materials Innovation Center, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Weirong Xie
- State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Future Materials Innovation Center, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Future Materials Innovation Center, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Future Materials Innovation Center, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Han Zhou
- State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Future Materials Innovation Center, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 201203 Shanghai, China
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2
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Yeager J, Robison A, Wade CD, Barnett JB. Imperfections in transparency and mimicry do not increase predation risk for clearwing butterflies with educated predators. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70307. [PMID: 39310733 PMCID: PMC11413500 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Transparency is an intuitive form of concealment and, in certain butterflies, transparent patches on the wings can contribute to several distinct forms of camouflage. However, perhaps paradoxically, the largely transparent wings of many clearwing butterflies (Ithomiini, Nymphalidae) also feature opaque, and often colorful, elements which may reduce crypsis. In many instances, these elements may facilitate aposematic signaling, but little is known of how transparency and aposematism may interact. Here, we used field predation trials to ask two main questions regarding camouflage and signaling in Ithomiini clearwings. In Experiment 1, we focused on camouflage to ask where being transparent may have an advantage over being opaque. We predicted that, as a single opaque pattern can only match a limited range of backgrounds, transparent wings would offer more effective concealment, and experience lower predation risk, over a wider range of backgrounds colors (i.e., green vs. brown substrates) and behaviors (i.e., perched vs. flying) than opaque wings. In Experiment 2, we focused on the effect conspicuous opaque colors may have on clearwing survival. We predicted that although salient signals may increase detectability, those commonly associated with toxic Ithomiini clearwings would not increase predation risk. Both experiments were conducted among educated predators within the natural range of Ithomiini clearwings and we found predation rates to be very low. In Experiment 1, we found some marginal evidence to suggest that opaque, but not transparent, butterflies may suffer increased predation during flight, whereas in Experiment 2, we found equal survival across all model prey types regardless of coloration. Taken together we suggest that any loss of camouflage due to conspicuous coloration may be compensated by aversive signaling, and that educated predators may broadly generalize across a wide range of known and novel clearwing phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Yeager
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencas AplicadasUniversidad de Las AméricasQuitoEcuador
| | - Abigail Robison
- Dirección General de Investigación y VinculaciónUniversidad de Las AméricasQuitoEcuador
| | - Cordon D. Wade
- Dirección General de Investigación y VinculaciónUniversidad de Las AméricasQuitoEcuador
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3
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Xu ZH, Xu S, Qian C, Xu W, Ren H, Su W, Chen QD, Chen H, Sun HB. Chimera metasurface for multiterrain invisibility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309096120. [PMID: 38285934 PMCID: PMC10861904 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309096120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Invisibility, a fascinating ability of hiding objects within environments, has attracted broad interest for a long time. However, current invisibility technologies are still restricted to stationary environments and narrow band. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a Chimera metasurface for multiterrain invisibility by synthesizing the natural camouflage traits of various poikilotherms. The metasurface achieves chameleon-like broadband in situ tunable microwave reflection mimicry of realistic water surface, shoal, beach/desert, grassland, and frozen ground from 8 to 12 GHz freely via the circuit-topology-transited mode evolution, while remaining optically transparent as an invisible glass frog. Additionally, the mechanic-driven Chimera metasurface without active electrothermal effect, owning a bearded dragon-like thermal acclimation, can decrease the maximum thermal imaging difference to 3.1 °C in tested realistic terrains, which cannot be recognized by human eyes. Our work transitions camouflage technologies from the constrained scenario to ever-changing terrains and constitutes a big advance toward the new-generation reconfigurable electromagnetics with circuit-topology dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Hua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun130012, China
| | - Su Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun130012, China
| | - Chao Qian
- Zhejiang University-University of Ilinois Urbana-Champaign Institute, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China
- Zhejiang University-Hangzhou Global Science and Technology Innovation Center, Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro/Nano Electronic Devices and Smart Systems of Zhejiang, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Jinhua321099, China
| | - Wenya Xu
- Printable Electronics Research Centre, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou215123, China
| | - Hang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun130012, China
| | - Wenming Su
- Printable Electronics Research Centre, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou215123, China
| | - Qi-Dai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun130012, China
| | - Hongsheng Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Ilinois Urbana-Champaign Institute, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China
- Zhejiang University-Hangzhou Global Science and Technology Innovation Center, Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro/Nano Electronic Devices and Smart Systems of Zhejiang, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310027, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Jinhua321099, China
| | - Hong-Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun130012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Haidian, Beijing100084, China
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4
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Ringler E, Rojas B, Stynoski JL, Schulte LM. What Amphibians Can Teach Us About the Evolution of Parental Care. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2023; 54:43-62. [PMID: 38989250 PMCID: PMC7616154 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102221-050519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Parenting is considered a key evolutionary innovation that contributed to the diversification and expansion of vertebrates. However, we know little about how such diversity evolved. Amphibians are an ideal group in which to identify the ecological factors that have facilitated or constrained the evolution of different forms of parental care. Among, but also within, the three amphibian orders-Anura, Caudata, and Gymnophiona-there is a high level of variation in habitat use, fertilization mode, mating systems, and parental sex roles. Recent work using broad phylogenetic, experimental, and physiological approaches has helped to uncover the factors that have selected for the evolution of care and transitions between different forms of parenting. Here, we highlight the exceptional diversity of amphibian parental care, emphasize the unique opportunities this group offers for addressing key questions about the evolution of parenting, and give insights into promising novel directions of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ringler
- Division of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bibiana Rojas
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | | | - Lisa M Schulte
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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5
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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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6
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Zheng J, Chen J, Jin Y, Wen Y, Mu Y, Wu C, Wang Y, Tong P, Li Z, Hou X, Tang J. Photochromism from wavelength-selective colloidal phase segregation. Nature 2023; 617:499-506. [PMID: 37198311 PMCID: PMC10191859 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05873-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Phase segregation is ubiquitously observed in immiscible mixtures, such as oil and water, in which the mixing entropy is overcome by the segregation enthalpy1-3. In monodispersed colloidal systems, however, the colloidal-colloidal interactions are usually non-specific and short-ranged, which leads to negligible segregation enthalpy4. The recently developed photoactive colloidal particles show long-range phoretic interactions, which can be readily tuned with incident light, suggesting an ideal model for studying phase behaviour and structure evolution kinetics5,6. In this work, we design a simple spectral selective active colloidal system, in which TiO2 colloidal species were coded with spectral distinctive dyes to form a photochromic colloidal swarm. In this system, the particle-particle interactions can be programmed by combining incident light with various wavelengths and intensities to enable controllable colloidal gelation and segregation. Furthermore, by mixing the cyan, magenta and yellow colloids, a dynamic photochromic colloidal swarm is formulated. On illumination of coloured light, the colloidal swarm adapts the appearance of incident light due to layered phase segregation, presenting a facile approach towards coloured electronic paper and self-powered optical camouflage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jingyuan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yakang Jin
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wen
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yijiang Mu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Changjin Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Penger Tong
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xu Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Physics, Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Soft Functional Materials Research, Jiujiang Research Institute, College of Physical Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, China
| | - Jinyao Tang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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7
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Taboada C, Delia J, Chen M, Ma C, Peng X, Zhu X, Jiang L, Vu T, Zhou Q, Yao J, O’Connell L, Johnsen S. Glassfrogs conceal blood in their liver to maintain transparency. Science 2022; 378:1315-1320. [PMID: 36548427 PMCID: PMC9984244 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl6620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transparency in animals is a complex form of camouflage involving mechanisms that reduce light scattering and absorption throughout the organism. In vertebrates, attaining transparency is difficult because their circulatory system is full of red blood cells (RBCs) that strongly attenuate light. Here, we document how glassfrogs overcome this challenge by concealing these cells from view. Using photoacoustic imaging to track RBCs in vivo, we show that resting glassfrogs increase transparency two- to threefold by removing ~89% of their RBCs from circulation and packing them within their liver. Vertebrate transparency thus requires both see-through tissues and active mechanisms that "clear" respiratory pigments from these tissues. Furthermore, glassfrogs' ability to regulate the location, density, and packing of RBCs without clotting offers insight in metabolic, hemodynamic, and blood-clot research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Taboada
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Corresponding author.(C.T.);(J.D.);(J.Y.)
| | - Jesse Delia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA,Division of Vertebrate Zoology and Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA,Corresponding author.(C.T.);(J.D.);(J.Y.)
| | - Maomao Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chenshuo Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiaorui Peng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiaoyi Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Laiming Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Tri Vu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Qifa Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA,USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Junjie Yao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Corresponding author.(C.T.);(J.D.);(J.Y.)
| | | | - Sönke Johnsen
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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8
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Cruz NM, White RM. Lessons on transparency from the glassfrog. Science 2022; 378:1272-1273. [PMID: 36548422 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf7524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transparency in glassfrogs has potential implications for human blood clotting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly M Cruz
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard M White
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Ludwig Cancer Research, University of Oxford, UK
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9
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Organismal and cellular interactions in vertebrate-alga symbioses. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:609-620. [PMID: 35225336 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Photosymbioses, intimate interactions between photosynthetic algal symbionts and heterotrophic hosts, are well known in invertebrate and protist systems. Vertebrate animals are an exception where photosynthetic microorganisms are not often considered part of the normal vertebrate microbiome, with a few exceptions in amphibian eggs. Here, we review the breadth of vertebrate diversity and explore where algae have taken hold in vertebrate fur, on vertebrate surfaces, in vertebrate tissues, and within vertebrate cells. We find that algae have myriad partnerships with vertebrate animals, from fishes to mammals, and that those symbioses range from apparent mutualisms to commensalisms to parasitisms. The exception in vertebrates, compared with other groups of eukaryotes, is that intracellular mutualisms and commensalisms with algae or other microbes are notably rare. We currently have no clear cell-in-cell (endosymbiotic) examples of a trophic mutualism in any vertebrate, while there is a broad diversity of such interactions in invertebrate animals and protists. This functional divergence in vertebrate symbioses may be related to vertebrate physiology or a byproduct of our adaptive immune system. Overall, we see that diverse algae are part of the vertebrate microbiome, broadly, with numerous symbiotic interactions occurring across all vertebrate and many algal clades. These interactions are being studied for their ecological, organismal, and cellular implications. This synthesis of vertebrate-algal associations may prove useful for the development of novel therapeutics: pairing algae with medical devices, tissue cultures, and artificial ecto- and endosymbioses.
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10
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Arias M, Leroy L, Madec C, Matos L, Tedore C, Elias M, Gomez D. Partial wing transparency works better when disrupting wing edges: Evidence from a field experiment. J Evol Biol 2021; 34:1840-1846. [PMID: 34601773 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13943] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lepidoptera-a group of insects in which wing transparency has arisen multiple times-exhibits much variation in the size and position of transparent wing zones. However, little is known as to how this variability affects detectability. Here, we test how the size and position of transparent elements affect the predation of artificial moths by wild birds in the field. Morphs with transparent elements touching wing borders showed a reduced predation risk, with the effect being the same regardless of the number of wing borders being touched. By contrast, transparent element size had little to no effect on predation risk. Overall, this experiment shows for the first time that transparency offers higher protection when it disrupts prey contour in terrestrial habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Arias
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.,ISYEB, CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne Univ, EPHE, Univ. Antilles, 45 rue Buffon CP50, Paris, France
| | - Lucie Leroy
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Clément Madec
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Louane Matos
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Cynthia Tedore
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Univ. Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marianne Elias
- ISYEB, CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne Univ, EPHE, Univ. Antilles, 45 rue Buffon CP50, Paris, France
| | - Doris Gomez
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.,INSP, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Paris, France
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11
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Bertolesi GE, Debnath N, Atkinson-Leadbeater K, Niedzwiecka A, McFarlane S. Distinct type II opsins in the eye decode light properties for background adaptation and behavioural background preference. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6659-6676. [PMID: 34592025 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16203] [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: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Crypsis increases survival by reducing predator detection. Xenopus laevis tadpoles decode light properties from the substrate to induce two responses: a cryptic coloration response where dorsal skin pigmentation is adjusted to the colour of the substrate (background adaptation) and a behavioural crypsis where organisms move to align with a specific colour surface (background preference). Both processes require organisms to detect reflected light from the substrate. We explored the relationship between background adaptation and preference and the light properties able to trigger both responses. We also analysed which retinal photosensor (type II opsin) is involved. Our results showed that these two processes are segregated mechanistically, as there is no correlation between the preference for a specific background with the level of skin pigmentation, and different dorsal retina-localized type II opsins appear to underlie the two crypsis modes. Indeed, inhibition of melanopsin affects background adaptation but not background preference. Instead, we propose pinopsin is the photosensor involved in background preference. pinopsin mRNA is co-expressed with mRNA for the sws1 cone photopigment in dorsally located photoreceptors. Importantly, the developmental onset of pinopsin expression aligns with the emergence of the preference for a white background, but after the background adaptation phenotype appears. Furthermore, white background preference of tadpoles is associated with increased pinopsin expression, a feature that is lost in premetamorphic froglets along with a preference for a white background. Thus, our data show a mechanistic dissociation between background adaptation and background preference, and we suggest melanopsin and pinopsin, respectively, initiate the two responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel E Bertolesi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nilakshi Debnath
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Anna Niedzwiecka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah McFarlane
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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12
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Lee N, Lim JS, Chang I, Lee D, Cho HH. Flexible Thermocamouflage Materials in Supersonic Flowfields with Selective Energy Dissipation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:43524-43532. [PMID: 34472852 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Camouflage refers to a creature's behavior to protect itself from predators by assimilating its signature with the environment. In particular, thermal camouflage materials in the infrared (IR) wave are attracting interest for energy, military, and space applications. To date, several types of camouflage materials such as photonic crystals and metal-dielectric-metal structures have been developed. However, flexible camouflage materials still face challenging issues because of the material's brittleness and anomalous dispersion. Herein, we propose flexible thermocamouflage materials (FTCM) for IR camouflage on an arbitrary surface without mechanical failure. Without using a polymer as a dielectric layer, we realized FTCM by changing the unit cell structure discretely. By imaging methods, we verified their flexibility, machinability, and IR camouflage performance. We also measured and calculated the spectral emissivity of FTCM; they showed electromagnetic behavior similar to a conventional emitter. We quantified the IR camouflage performance of FTCM that the emissivity in the undetected band (5-8 μm) is 0.27 and the emissivity values in detected bands are 0.12 (3-5 μm) and 0.16 (8-14 μm) in the detected bands, respectively. Finally, we confirmed the IR camouflage performance on an arbitrary surface in a supersonic flowfield. FTCM are expected to help to improve our basic understanding of metamaterials and find widespread application as IR camouflage materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namkyu Lee
- IBI-4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Joon-Soo Lim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 13722, Korea
| | - Injoong Chang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 13722, Korea
| | - Donghwi Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Engineering Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Hyung Hee Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 13722, Korea
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13
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Barnett JB, Michalis C, Scott-Samuel NE, Cuthill IC. Colour pattern variation forms local background matching camouflage in a leaf-mimicking toad. J Evol Biol 2021; 34:1531-1540. [PMID: 34465010 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13923] [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] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Optimal camouflage can, in principle, be relatively easily achieved in simple, homogeneous, environments where backgrounds always have the same colour, brightness and patterning. Natural environments are, however, rarely homogenous, and species often find themselves viewed against varied backgrounds where the task of concealment is more challenging. One result of variable backgrounds is the evolution of intraspecific phenotypic variation which may either be generalized, with multiple similarly cryptic patterns, or specialized, with each discrete colour form maximizing concealment against a single component of the background. We investigated the role of phenotypic variation in a highly variable population of the Neotropical toad Rhinella margaritifera using visual modelling and a computer-based detection task. We found that phenotypic variation was not divided into discrete colour morphs, and all toads were well camouflaged against the forest floor. However, although the whole population may appear to consist of random samples from the background, the toads were a particularly close match to the leaf litter, suggesting that they masquerade as dead leaves, which are themselves variable. Furthermore, rather than each colour form being equally effective against a single background, each toad was specialized towards its own particular local surroundings, as suggested by a specialist strategy. Taken together, these data highlight the importance of background matching to a nominally masquerading species, as well as how habitat heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales may affect the evolution of camouflage and phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Barnett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Innes C Cuthill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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14
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Briolat ES, Arenas LM, Hughes AE, Liggins E, Stevens M. Generalist camouflage can be more successful than microhabitat specialisation in natural environments. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:151. [PMID: 34344323 PMCID: PMC8330473 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01883-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crypsis by background-matching is a critical form of anti-predator defence for animals exposed to visual predators, but achieving effective camouflage in patchy and variable natural environments is not straightforward. To cope with heterogeneous backgrounds, animals could either specialise on particular microhabitat patches, appearing cryptic in some areas but mismatching others, or adopt a compromise strategy, providing partial matching across different patch types. Existing studies have tested the effectiveness of compromise strategies in only a limited set of circumstances, primarily with small targets varying in pattern, and usually in screen-based tasks. Here, we measured the detection risk associated with different background-matching strategies for relatively large targets, with human observers searching for them in natural scenes, and focusing on colour. Model prey were designed to either 'specialise' on the colour of common microhabitat patches, or 'generalise' by matching the average colour of the whole visual scenes. RESULTS In both the field and an equivalent online computer-based search task, targets adopting the generalist strategy were more successful in evading detection than those matching microhabitat patches. This advantage occurred because, across all possible locations in these experiments, targets were typically viewed against a patchwork of different microhabitat areas; the putatively generalist targets were thus more similar on average to their various immediate surroundings than were the specialists. CONCLUSIONS Demonstrating close agreement between the results of field and online search experiments provides useful validation of online citizen science methods commonly used to test principles of camouflage, at least for human observers. In finding a survival benefit to matching the average colour of the visual scenes in our chosen environment, our results highlight the importance of relative scales in determining optimal camouflage strategies, and suggest how compromise coloration can succeed in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lina María Arenas
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, Penryn, UK
| | - Anna E Hughes
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, Penryn, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe House, CO4 3SQ, Colchester, UK
| | - Eric Liggins
- , QinetiQ, Cody Technology Park, Ively Road, Farnborough, GU14 0LX, Hampshire, UK
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, Penryn, UK
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15
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Barnett JB, Varela BJ, Jennings BJ, Lesbarrères D, Pruitt JN, Green DM. Habitat disturbance alters color contrast and the detectability of cryptic and aposematic frogs. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animals use color both to conceal and signal their presence, with patterns that match the background, disrupt shape recognition, or highlight features important for communication. The forms that these color patterns take are responses to the visual systems that observe them and the environments within which they are viewed. Increasingly, however, these environments are being affected by human activity. We studied how pattern characteristics and habitat change may affect the detectability of three frog color patterns from the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama: Beige-Striped Brown Allobates talamancae and two spotted morphs of Oophaga pumilio, Black-Spotted Green and Black-Spotted Red. To assess detectability, we used visual modeling of conspecifics and potential predators, along with a computer-based detection experiment with human participants. Although we found no evidence for disruptive camouflage, we did find clear evidence that A. talamancae stripes are inherently more cryptic than O. pumilio spots regardless of color. We found no evidence that color pattern polytypism in O. pumilio is related to differences in the forest floor between natural sites. We did, however, find strong evidence that human disturbance affects the visual environment and modifies absolute and rank order frog detectability. Human-induced environmental change reduces the effectiveness of camouflage in A. talamancae, reduces detectability of Black-Spotted Green O. pumilio, and increases chromatic contrast, but not detectability, in Black-Spotted Red O. pumilio. Insofar as predators may learn about prey defenses and make foraging decisions based on relative prey availability and suitability, such changes may have wider implications for predator–prey dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Barnett
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Ben J Jennings
- The College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UK
| | | | - Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - David M Green
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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16
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Troscianko J, Nokelainen O, Skelhorn J, Stevens M. Variable crab camouflage patterns defeat search image formation. Commun Biol 2021; 4:287. [PMID: 33674781 PMCID: PMC7935895 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01817-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding what maintains the broad spectrum of variation in animal phenotypes and how this influences survival is a key question in biology. Frequency dependent selection - where predators temporarily focus on one morph at the expense of others by forming a "search image" - can help explain this phenomenon. However, past work has never tested real prey colour patterns, and rarely considered the role of different types of camouflage. Using a novel citizen science computer experiment that presented crab "prey" to humans against natural backgrounds in specific sequences, we were able to test a range of key hypotheses concerning the interactions between predator learning, camouflage and morph. As predicted, switching between morphs did hinder detection, and this effect was most pronounced when crabs had "disruptive" markings that were more effective at destroying the body outline. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for variability in natural colour patterns hindering search image formation in predators, and as such presents a mechanism that facilitates phenotypic diversity in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolyon Troscianko
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, TR10 9FE, Penryn, UK.
| | - Ossi Nokelainen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - John Skelhorn
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, TR10 9FE, Penryn, UK
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17
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Caro T, Koneru M. Towards an ecology of protective coloration. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 96:611-641. [PMID: 33258554 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The strategies underlying different forms of protective coloration are well understood but little attention has been paid to the ecological, life-history and behavioural circumstances under which they evolve. While some comparative studies have investigated the ecological correlates of aposematism, and background matching, the latter particularly in mammals, few have examined the ecological correlates of other types of protective coloration. Here, we first outline which types of defensive coloration strategies may be exhibited by the same individual; concluding that many protective coloration mechanisms can be employed simultaneously, particularly in conjunction with background matching. Second, we review the ecological predictions that have been made for each sort of protective coloration mechanism before systematically surveying phylogenetically controlled comparative studies linking ecological and social variables to antipredator defences that involve coloration. We find that some a priori predictions based on small-scale empirical studies and logical arguments are indeed supported by comparative data, especially in relation to how illumination affects both background matching and self-shadow concealment through countershading; how body size is associated with countershading, motion dazzle, flash coloration and aposematism, although only in selected taxa; how immobility may promote background matching in ambush predators; and how mobility may facilitate motion dazzle. Examination of nearly 120 comparative tests reveals that many focus on ecological variables that have little to do with predictions derived from antipredator defence theory, and that broad-scale ecological studies of defence strategies that incorporate phylogenetics are still very much in their infancy. We close by making recommendations for future evolutionary ecological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Caro
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, U.K.,Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, U.S.A
| | - Manisha Koneru
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, U.S.A
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18
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Barnett JB, Michalis C, Anderson HM, McEwen BL, Yeager J, Pruitt JN, Scott-Samuel NE, Cuthill IC. Imperfect transparency and camouflage in glass frogs. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:12885-12890. [PMID: 32457164 PMCID: PMC7293656 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1919417117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Camouflage patterns prevent detection and/or recognition by matching the background, disrupting edges, or mimicking particular background features. In variable habitats, however, a single pattern cannot match all available sites all of the time, and efficacy may therefore be reduced. Active color change provides an alternative where coloration can be altered to match local conditions, but again efficacy may be limited by the speed of change and range of patterns available. Transparency, on the other hand, creates high-fidelity camouflage that changes instantaneously to match any substrate but is potentially compromised in terrestrial environments where image distortion may be more obvious than in water. Glass frogs are one example of terrestrial transparency and are well known for their transparent ventral skin through which their bones, intestines, and beating hearts can be seen. However, sparse dorsal pigmentation means that these frogs are better described as translucent. To investigate whether this imperfect transparency acts as camouflage, we used in situ behavioral trials, visual modeling, and laboratory psychophysics. We found that the perceived luminance of the frogs changed depending on the immediate background, lowering detectability and increasing survival when compared to opaque frogs. Moreover, this change was greatest for the legs, which surround the body at rest and create a diffuse transition from background to frog luminance rather than a sharp, highly salient edge. This passive change in luminance, without significant modification of hue, suggests a camouflage strategy, "edge diffusion," distinct from both transparency and active color change.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Barnett
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1TQ Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Constantine Michalis
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1TQ Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah M Anderson
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Brendan L McEwen
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Justin Yeager
- Biodiversidad Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Américas, 170125 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | | | - Innes C Cuthill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1TQ Bristol, United Kingdom
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19
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Abstract
Glassfrogs (family: Centrolenidae) represent a fantastic radiation (~150 described species) of Neotropical anurans that originated in South America and dispersed into Central America. In this study, we review the systematics of Ecuadorian glassfrogs, providing species accounts of all 60 species, including three new species described herein. For all Ecuadorian species, we provide new information on the evolution, morphology, biology, conservation, and distribution. We present a new molecular phylogeny for Centrolenidae and address cryptic diversity within the family. We employ a candidate species system and designate 24 putative new species that require further study to determine their species status. We find that, in some cases, currently recognized species lack justification; specifically, we place Centrolene gemmata and Centrolene scirtetes under the synonymy of Centrolene lynchi; C. guanacarum and C. bacata under the synonymy of Centrolene sanchezi; Cochranella phryxa under the synonymy of Cochranella resplendens; and Hyalinobatrachium ruedai under the synonymy of Hyalinobatrachium munozorum. We also find that diversification patterns are mostly congruent with allopatric speciation, facilitated by barriers to gene flow (e.g., valleys, mountains, linearity of the Andes), and that niche conservatism is a dominant feature in the family. Conservation threats are diverse, but habitat destruction and climate change are of particular concern. The most imperiled glassfrogs in Ecuador are Centrolene buckleyi, C. charapita, C. geckoidea, C. medemi, C. pipilata, Cochranella mache, Nymphargus balionotus, N. manduriacu, N. megacheirus, and N. sucre, all of which are considered Critically Endangered. Lastly, we identify priority areas for glassfrog conservation in Ecuador.
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