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Shito TT, Oka K, Hotta K. Multimodal factor evaluation system for organismal transparency by hyperspectral imaging. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292524. [PMID: 37819990 PMCID: PMC10566722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Organismal transparency constitutes a significant concern in whole-body live imaging, yet its underlying structural, genetic, and physiological foundations remain inadequately comprehended. Diverse environmental and physiological factors (multimodal factors) are recognized for their influence on organismal transparency. However, a comprehensive and integrated quantitative evaluation system for biological transparency across a broad spectrum of wavelengths is presently lacking. In this study, we have devised an evaluation system to gauge alterations in organismal transparency induced by multimodal factors, encompassing a wide range of transmittance spanning from 380 to 1000 nm, utilizing hyperspectral microscopy. Through experimentation, we have scrutinized the impact of three environmental variables (temperature, salinity, and pH) and the effect of 11 drugs treatment containing inhibitors targeting physiological processes in the ascidian Ascidiella aspersa. This particular species, known for its exceptionally transparent eggs and embryos, serves as an ideal model. We calculated bio-transparency defined as the mean transmittance ratio of visible light within the range of 400-760 nm. Our findings reveal a positive correlation between bio-transparency and temperature, while an inverse relationship is observed with salinity levels. Notably, reduced pH levels and exposure to six drugs have led to significant decreasing in bio-transparency (ranging from 4.2% to 58.6%). Principal component analysis (PCA) on the measured transmittance data classified these factors into distinct groups. This suggest diverse pathways through which opacification occurs across different spectrum regions. The outcome of our quantitative analysis of bio-transparency holds potential applicability to diverse living organisms on multiple scales. This analytical framework also contributes to a holistic comprehension of the mechanisms underlying biological transparency, which is susceptible to many environmental and physiological modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi T. Shito
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kotaro Oka
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
- Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kohji Hotta
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
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2
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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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3
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Feller K, Porter M. Photonic tinkering in the open ocean. Science 2023; 379:643-644. [PMID: 36795808 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf2062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Light-manipulating materials are discovered in the eyeglitter of pelagic crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Feller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA
| | - Megan Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA
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Gomez D, Pinna C, Pairraire J, Arias M, Barbut J, Pomerantz A, Daney de Marcillac W, Berthier S, Patel N, Andraud C, Elias M. Wing transparency in butterflies and moths: structural diversity, optical properties, and ecological relevance. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Doris Gomez
- CEFE University of Montpellier CNRS, EPHE, IRD Montpellier France
| | - Charline Pinna
- ISYEB UMR 7205 CNRS, MNHN EPHE Sorbonne University Paris France
| | | | - Mónica Arias
- CEFE University of Montpellier CNRS, EPHE, IRD Montpellier France
- ISYEB UMR 7205 CNRS, MNHN EPHE Sorbonne University Paris France
| | - Jérôme Barbut
- ISYEB UMR 7205 CNRS, MNHN EPHE Sorbonne University Paris France
| | - Aaron Pomerantz
- Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole Massachusetts 02543 USA
- Department Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley Berkeley California 94720 USA
| | | | | | - Nipam Patel
- Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole Massachusetts 02543 USA
- University of Chicago Chicago Illinois 60607 USA
| | | | - Marianne Elias
- ISYEB UMR 7205 CNRS, MNHN EPHE Sorbonne University Paris France
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5
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Pomerantz AF, Siddique RH, Cash EI, Kishi Y, Pinna C, Hammar K, Gomez D, Elias M, Patel NH. Developmental, cellular and biochemical basis of transparency in clearwing butterflies. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:268372. [PMID: 34047337 PMCID: PMC8340268 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.237917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The wings of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are typically covered with thousands of flat, overlapping scales that endow the wings with colorful patterns. Yet, numerous species of Lepidoptera have evolved highly transparent wings, which often possess scales of altered morphology and reduced size, and the presence of membrane surface nanostructures that dramatically reduce reflection. Optical properties and anti-reflective nanostructures have been characterized for several ‘clearwing’ Lepidoptera, but the developmental processes underlying wing transparency are unknown. Here, we applied confocal and electron microscopy to create a developmental time series in the glasswing butterfly, Greta oto, comparing transparent and non-transparent wing regions. We found that during early wing development, scale precursor cell density was reduced in transparent regions, and cytoskeletal organization during scale growth differed between thin, bristle-like scale morphologies within transparent regions and flat, round scale morphologies within opaque regions. We also show that nanostructures on the wing membrane surface are composed of two layers: a lower layer of regularly arranged nipple-like nanostructures, and an upper layer of irregularly arranged wax-based nanopillars composed predominantly of long-chain n-alkanes. By chemically removing wax-based nanopillars, along with optical spectroscopy and analytical simulations, we demonstrate their role in generating anti-reflective properties. These findings provide insight into morphogenesis and composition of naturally organized microstructures and nanostructures, and may provide bioinspiration for new anti-reflective materials. Summary: Transparency is a fascinating, yet poorly studied, optical property in living organisms. We elucidated the developmental processes underlying scale and nanostructure formation in glasswing butterflies, and their roles in generating anti-reflective properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron F Pomerantz
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Radwanul H Siddique
- Image Sensor Lab, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., 2 N Lake Ave. Ste. 240, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA.,Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Elizabeth I Cash
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yuriko Kishi
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Charline Pinna
- ISYEB, 45 rue Buffon, CP50, 75005, Paris, CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, France
| | - Kasia Hammar
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Doris Gomez
- CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34090, Montpellier, CNRS, Université Montpellier, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, France
| | - Marianne Elias
- ISYEB, 45 rue Buffon, CP50, 75005, Paris, CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, France
| | - Nipam H Patel
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.,Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Phylogenetic comparison of egg transparency in ascidians by hyperspectral imaging. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20829. [PMID: 33257720 PMCID: PMC7709464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77585-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The transparency of animals is an important biological feature. Ascidian eggs have various degrees of transparency, but this characteristic has not yet been measured quantitatively and comprehensively. In this study, we established a method for evaluating the transparency of eggs to first characterize the transparency of ascidian eggs across different species and to infer a phylogenetic relationship among multiple taxa in the class Ascidiacea. We measured the transmittance of 199 eggs from 21 individuals using a hyperspectral camera. The spectrum of the visual range of wavelengths (400–760 nm) varied among individuals and we calculated each average transmittance of the visual range as bio-transparency. When combined with phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclear 18S rRNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences, the bio-transparencies of 13 species were derived from four different families: Ascidiidae, Cionidae, Pyuridae, and Styelidae. The bio-transparency varied 10–90% and likely evolved independently in each family. Ascidiella aspersa showed extremely high (88.0 ± 1.6%) bio-transparency in eggs that was maintained in the “invisible” larva. In addition, it was indicated that species of the Ascidiidae family may have a phylogenetic constraint of egg transparency.
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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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Galloway JAM, Green SD, Stevens M, Kelley LA. Finding a signal hidden among noise: how can predators overcome camouflage strategies? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190478. [PMID: 32420842 PMCID: PMC7331011 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial progress has been made in the past 15 years regarding how prey use a variety of visual camouflage types to exploit both predator visual processing and cognition, including background matching, disruptive coloration, countershading and masquerade. By contrast, much less attention has been paid to how predators might overcome these defences. Such strategies include the evolution of more acute senses, the co-opting of other senses not targeted by camouflage, changes in cognition such as forming search images, and using behaviours that change the relationship between the cryptic individual and the environment or disturb prey and cause movement. Here, we evaluate the methods through which visual camouflage prevents detection and recognition, and discuss if and how predators might evolve, develop or learn counter-adaptations to overcome these. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Signal detection theory in recognition systems: from evolving models to experimental tests'.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A M Galloway
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Samuel D Green
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Laura A Kelley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
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Pan E, Zhang G. Natural Antireflective Microstructure of Blue Mussel Shells and Biomimetic Replication. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:4065-4070. [PMID: 32216257 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nature provides various exquisite photonic structures of antireflection. Here, we investigate the color and structure of the inner surface of the shell edge (ISSE) of blue mussel shells, using a fiber optical spectrometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). We demonstrate that the structurally assisted black color of the ISSE is produced by a pyramidal microstructure. Furthermore, we use the two-step biotemplate (TSBT) method to successfully replicate this microstructure. Particularly, we modify this method by using a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film as the negative replica and an epoxy resin film as the positive replica both fabricated without vacuum treatment. We show that the natural and replicated structures show a reflectivity of ∼4% and of ∼3% in the visible wavelength. Finally, we hope our investigation can provide basic data for the study of the bioinspired antireflective structures, which have a promising application in smart windows and optical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ercai Pan
- School of Resources, Environment, and Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Gangsheng Zhang
- School of Resources, Environment, and Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
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Campbell RA, Dean MN. Adaptation and Evolution of Biological Materials. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:1629-1635. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Research into biological materials often centers on the impressive material properties produced in Nature. In the process, however, this research often neglects the ecologies of the materials, the organismal contexts relating to how a biological material is actually used. In biology, materials are vital to organismal interactions with their environment and their physiology, and also provide records of their phylogenetic relationships and the selective pressures that drive biological novelties. With the papers in this symposium, we provide a view on cutting-edge work in biological materials science. The collected research delivers new perspectives on fundamental materials concepts, offering surprising insights into biological innovations and challenging the boundaries of materials’ characterization techniques. The topics, systems, and disciplines covered offer a glimpse into the wide range of contemporary biological materials work. They also demonstrate the need for progressive “whole organism thinking” when characterizing biological materials, and the importance of framing biological materials research in relevant, biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Campbell
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Mason N Dean
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department Biomaterials, Am Muehlenberg 1, Potsdam, Germany
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