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Klunk CL, Heethoff M, Hammel JU, Gorb SN, Krings W. Mechanical and elemental characterization of ant mandibles: consequences for bite mechanics. Interface Focus 2024; 14:20230056. [PMID: 38618235 PMCID: PMC11008963 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2023.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Mandible morphology has an essential role in biting performance, but the mandible cuticle can have regional differences in its mechanical properties. The effects of such a heterogeneous distribution of cuticle material properties in the mandible responses to biting loading are still poorly explored in chewing insects. Here, we tested the mechanical properties of mandibles of the ant species Formica cunicularia by nanoindentation and investigated the effects of the cuticular variation in Young's modulus (E) under bite loading with finite-element analysis (FEA). The masticatory margin of the mandible, which interacts with the food, was the hardest and stiffest region. To unravel the origins of the mechanical property gradients, we characterized the elemental composition by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The masticatory margin possessed high proportions of Cu and Zn. When incorporated into the FEA, variation in E effectively changed mandible stress patterns, leading to a relatively higher concentration of stresses in the stiffer mandibular regions and leaving the softer mandible blade with relatively lower stress. Our results demonstrated the relevance of cuticle E heterogeneity in mandibles under bite loading, suggesting that the accumulation of transition metals such as Cu and Zn has a relevant correlation with the mechanical characteristics in F. cunicularia mandibles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Michael Heethoff
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Jörg U. Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Stanislav N. Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - Wencke Krings
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, Kiel 24118, Germany
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, Universität Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, Hamburg 20146, Germany
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2
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Preuss A, Appel E, Gorb SN, Büsse S. Tanning of the tarsal and mandibular cuticle in adult Anax imperator (Insecta: Odonata) during the emergence sequence. Interface Focus 2024; 14:20230076. [PMID: 38618233 PMCID: PMC11008962 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2023.0076] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The arthropod cuticle offers strength, protection, and lightweight. Due to its limit in expandability, arthropods have to moult periodically to grow. While moulting is beneficial in terms of parasite or toxin control, growth and adaptation to environmental conditions, it costs energy and leaves the soft animal's body vulnerable to injuries and desiccation directly after ecdysis. To investigate the temporal change in sclerotization and pigmentation during and after ecdysis, we combined macrophotography, confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and histological sectioning. We analysed the tarsal and mandibular cuticle of the blue emperor dragonfly to compare the progress of tanning for structures that are functionally involved during emergence (tarsus/tarsal claws) with structures whose functionality is required much later (mandibles). Our results show that: (i) the tanning of the tarsal and mandibular cuticle increases during emergence; (ii) the tarsal cuticle tans faster than the mandibular cuticle; (iii) the mandibles tan faster on the aboral than on the oral side; and (iv) both the exo- and the endocuticle are tanned. The change in the cuticle composition of the tarsal and mandibular cuticle reflects the demand for higher mechanical stability of these body parts when holding on to the substrate during emergence and during first walking or hunting attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Preuss
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Esther Appel
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N. Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Büsse
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Department for Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 23, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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3
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Imirzian N, Püffel F, Roces F, Labonte D. Large deformation diffeomorphic mapping of 3D shape variation reveals two distinct mandible and head capsule morphs in Atta vollenweideri leaf-cutter worker ants. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11236. [PMID: 38633523 PMCID: PMC11021802 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Ants are crucial ecosystem engineers, and their ecological success is facilitated by a division of labour among sterile "workers". In some ant lineages, workers have undergone further morphological differentiation, resulting in differences in body size, shape, or both. Distinguishing between changes in size and shape is not trivial. Traditional approaches based on allometry reduce complex 3D shapes into simple linear, areal, or volume metrics; modern approaches using geometric morphometrics typically rely on landmarks, introducing observer bias and a trade-off between effort and accuracy. Here, we use a landmark-free method based on large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) to assess the co-variation of size and 3D shape in the mandibles and head capsules of Atta vollenweideri leaf-cutter ants, a species exhibiting extreme worker size-variation. Body mass varied by more than two orders of magnitude, but a shape atlas created via LDDMM on μ-CT-derived 3D mesh files revealed only two distinct head capsule and mandibles shapes-one for the minims (body mass < 1 mg) and one for all other workers. We discuss the functional significance of the identified 3D shape variation, and its implications for the evolution of extreme polymorphism in Atta.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Flavio Roces
- Department of Behavioural Physiology and SociobiologyBiocenter, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - David Labonte
- Department of BioengineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
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4
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Kang V, Püffel F, Labonte D. Three-dimensional kinematics of leaf-cutter ant mandibles: not all dicondylic joints are simple hinges. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220546. [PMID: 37839448 PMCID: PMC10577034 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects use their mandibles for a variety of tasks, including food processing, material transport, nest building, brood care, and fighting. Despite this functional diversity, mandible motion is typically thought to be constrained to rotation about a single fixed axis. Here, we conduct a direct quantitative test of this 'hinge joint hypothesis' in a species that uses its mandibles for a wide range of tasks: Atta vollenweideri leaf-cutter ants. Mandible movements from live restrained ants were reconstructed in three dimensions using a multi-camera rig. Rigid body kinematic analyses revealed strong evidence that mandible movement occupies a kinematic space that requires more than one rotational degree of freedom: at large opening angles, mandible motion is dominated by yaw. But at small opening angles, mandibles both yaw and pitch. The combination of yaw and pitch allows mandibles to 'criss-cross': either mandible can be on top when mandibles are closed. We observed criss-crossing in freely cutting ants, suggesting that it is functionally important. Combined with recent reports on the diversity of joint articulations in other insects, our results show that insect mandible kinematics are more diverse than traditionally assumed, and thus worthy of further detailed investigation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Food processing and nutritional assimilation in animals'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Kang
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Frederik Püffel
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David Labonte
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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5
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Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Rosumek FB, Schmelzle S, van de Kamp T, Hammel JU, Pie MR, Heethoff M. Simulated biomechanical performance of morphologically disparate ant mandibles under bite loading. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16833. [PMID: 37803099 PMCID: PMC10558566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43944-8] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects evolved various modifications to their mouthparts, allowing for a broad exploration of feeding modes. In ants, workers perform non-reproductive tasks like excavation, food processing, and juvenile care, relying heavily on their mandibles. Given the importance of biting for ant workers and the significant mandible morphological diversity across species, it is essential to understand how mandible shape influences its mechanical responses to bite loading. We employed Finite Element Analysis to simulate biting scenarios on mandible volumetric models from 25 ant species classified in different feeding habits. We hypothesize that mandibles of predatory ants, especially trap-jaw ants, would perform better than mandibles of omnivorous species due to their necessity to subdue living prey. We defined simulations to allow only variation in mandible morphology between specimens. Our results demonstrated interspecific differences in mandible mechanical responses to biting loading. However, we found no evident differences in biting performance between the predatory and the remaining ants, and trap-jaw mandibles did not show lower stress levels than other mandibles under bite loading. These results suggest that ant feeding habit is not a robust predictor of mandible biting performance, a possible consequence of mandibles being employed as versatile tools to perform several tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Centro Politécnico, Av. Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100 - Jardim das Américas, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil.
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - M A Argenta
- Department of Civil Construction, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - F B Rosumek
- Department of Ecology and Zoology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - S Schmelzle
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - T van de Kamp
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - J U Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - M R Pie
- Biology Department, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK
| | - M Heethoff
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany.
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6
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Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Casadei‐Ferreira A, Pie MR. Mechanical demands of bite in plane head shapes of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10162. [PMID: 37293120 PMCID: PMC10244895 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Food processing can exert significant evolutionary pressures on the morphological evolution of animal appendages. The ant genus Pheidole displays a remarkable degree of morphological differentiation and task specialization among its workers. Notably, there is considerable variation in head shape within worker subcastes of Pheidole, which could affect the stress patterns generated by bite-related muscle contraction. In this study, we use finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effect of the variation in head plane shape in stress patterns, while exploring the morphospace of Pheidole worker head shapes. We hypothesize that the plane head shapes of majors are optimized for dealing with stronger bites. Furthermore, we expect that plane head shapes at the edges of each morphospace would exhibit mechanical limitations that prevent further expansion of the occupied morphospace. We vectorized five head shapes for each Pheidole worker type located at the center and edges of the corresponding morphospaces. We conducted linear static FEA to analyze the stresses generated by mandibular closing muscle contraction. Our findings indicate that plane head shapes of majors exhibit signs of optimization to deal with stronger bites. Stresses are distinctly directed along the lateral margins of the head, following the direction of muscle contraction, whereas the stresses on the plane head shapes of minors tend to concentrate around the mandibular articulations. However, the comparatively higher stress levels observed on majors' plane head shapes suggest a demand for cuticular reinforcement, like increased cuticle thickness or sculpturing pattern. Our results align with the expectations regarding the main colony tasks performed by each worker subcaste, and we find evidence of biomechanical limitations on extreme plane head shapes for majors and minors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and ConservationUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | - Marco A. Argenta
- Department of Civil ConstructionUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | - Alexandre Casadei‐Ferreira
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Department of BiologyEdge Hill UniversityOrmskirkUK
- Department of ZoologyUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
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Wang Z, Zhan Y, Yang Y, Wu J. Hollow mandibles: Structural adaptation to high-speed and powerful strike in the trap-jaw ant Odontomachus monticola. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 141:104426. [PMID: 35907587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The trap-jaw ant Odontomachus monticola manipulates its hollow mandibles to generate extremely high speed to impact various objects through a catapult mechanism, making the violent collision occur between the mandible and the impacted objects, which increases the risk of structural failure. However, how the ant balances the trade-off between the powerful clamping and impact resistance by using this hollow structure remains elusive. In this combined experimental and theoretical investigation, we revealed that the hollowness ratio of the mandible plays an essential role in counterbalancing the trade-off. Micro-CT and high-speed images suggested that the hollow mandibles facilitate a high angular acceleration to 108 rad/s2 for an enormous clamping force. However, this hollowness might challenge the structural strength while collision occurs. We found that under the same actuating energy, the von Mises stress of the object collided by the natural mandible striking can reach up to 2.9 times that generated by the entirely solid mandible. We defined the efficiency ratio of the von Mises stress on the impacted object to that on the mandible and found the hollow mandible achieves a more robust balance between powerful clamping and impact resistance compared to the solid mandible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Wang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yuping Zhan
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, PR China
| | - Yunqiang Yang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, PR China.
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8
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Stockey C, Adams NF, Harvey THP, Donoghue PCJ, Purnell MA. Dietary inference from dental topographic analysis of feeding tools in diverse animals. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Stockey
- Centre for Palaeobiology Research, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment University of Leicester, University Road Leicester UK
| | - Neil F. Adams
- Centre for Palaeobiology Research, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment University of Leicester, University Road Leicester UK
| | - Thomas H. P. Harvey
- Centre for Palaeobiology Research, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment University of Leicester, University Road Leicester UK
| | | | - Mark A. Purnell
- Centre for Palaeobiology Research, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment University of Leicester, University Road Leicester UK
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9
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Chen L, Gu JJ, Yang Q, Ren D, Blanke A, Béthoux O. Ovipositor and mouthparts in a fossil insect support a novel ecological role for early orthopterans in 300 million years old forests. eLife 2021; 10:e71006. [PMID: 34844668 PMCID: PMC8631945 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A high portion of the earliest known insect fauna is composed of the so-called 'lobeattid insects', whose systematic affinities and role as foliage feeders remain debated. We investigated hundreds of samples of a new lobeattid species from the Xiaheyan locality using a combination of photographic techniques, including reflectance transforming imaging, geometric morphometrics, and biomechanics to document its morphology, and infer its phylogenetic position and ecological role. Ctenoptilus frequens sp. nov. possessed a sword-shaped ovipositor with valves interlocked by two ball-and-socket mechanisms, lacked jumping hind-legs, and certain wing venation features. This combination of characters unambiguously supports lobeattids as stem relatives of all living Orthoptera (crickets, grasshoppers, katydids). Given the herein presented and other remains, it follows that this group experienced an early diversification and, additionally, occurred in high individual numbers. The ovipositor shape indicates that ground was the preferred substrate for eggs. Visible mouthparts made it possible to assess the efficiency of the mandibular food uptake system in comparison to a wide array of extant species. The new species was likely omnivorous which explains the paucity of external damage on contemporaneous plant foliage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- College of Life Sciences and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jun-Jie Gu
- Institute of Ecological Agriculture, College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityChengduChina
| | - Qiang Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, 230 Waihuanxi Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Dong Ren
- College of Life Sciences and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Alexander Blanke
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Olivier Béthoux
- CR2P (Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie – Paris), MNHN – CNRS – Sorbonne Université; Muséum National d’Histoire NaturelleParisFrance
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10
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Büsse S, Tröger H, Gorb SN. The toolkit of a hunter – functional morphology of larval mouthparts in a dragonfly. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Büsse
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics Institute of Zoology Kiel University Kiel Germany
| | - H.‐L. Tröger
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics Institute of Zoology Kiel University Kiel Germany
| | - S. N. Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics Institute of Zoology Kiel University Kiel Germany
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11
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Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Casadei-Ferreira A, Economo EP, Pie MR. Mandibular morphology, task specialization and bite mechanics in Pheidole ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210318. [PMID: 34102082 PMCID: PMC8187013 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants show remarkable ecological and evolutionary success due to their social life history and division of labour among colony members. In some lineages, the worker force became subdivided into morphologically distinct individuals (i.e. minor versus major workers), allowing for the differential performance of particular roles in the colony. However, the functional and ecological significance of these morphological differences are not well understood. Here, we applied finite element analysis (FEA) to explore the biomechanical differences between major and minor ant worker mandibles. Analyses were carried out on mandibles of two Pheidole species, a dimorphic ant genus. We tested whether major mandibles evolved to minimize stress when compared to minors using combinations of the apical tooth and masticatory margin bites under strike and pressure conditions. Majors performed better in pressure conditions yet, contrary to our expectations, minors performed better in strike bite scenarios. Moreover, we demonstrated that even small morphological differences in ant mandibles might lead to substantial differences in biomechanical responses to bite loading. These results also underscore the potential of FEA to uncover biomechanical consequences of morphological differences within and between ant workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Marco A. Argenta
- Department of Civil Construction, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Casadei-Ferreira
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
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12
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Larabee FJ, Smith AA, Suarez AV. Snap-jaw morphology is specialized for high-speed power amplification in the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:181447. [PMID: 30662749 PMCID: PMC6304126 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
What is the limit of animal speed and what mechanisms produce the fastest movements? More than natural history trivia, the answer provides key insight into the form-function relationship of musculoskeletal movement and can determine the outcome of predator-prey interactions. The fastest known animal movements belong to arthropods, including trap-jaw ants, mantis shrimp and froghoppers, that have incorporated latches and springs into their appendage systems to overcome the limits of muscle power. In contrast to these examples of power amplification, where separate structures act as latch and spring to accelerate an appendage, some animals use a 'snap-jaw' mechanism that incorporates the latch and spring on the accelerating appendage itself. We examined the kinematics and functional morphology of the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae, who use a snap-jaw mechanism to quickly slide their mandibles across each other similar to a finger snap. Kinematic analysis of high-speed video revealed that snap-jaw ant mandibles complete their strike in as little as 23 µsec and reach peak velocities of 90 m s-1, making them the fastest known animal appendage. Finite-element analysis demonstrated that snap-jaw mandibles were less stiff than biting non-power-amplified mandibles, consistent with their use as a flexible spring. These results extend our understanding of animal speed and demonstrate how small changes in morphology can result in dramatic differences in performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J. Larabee
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Adrian A. Smith
- Research and Collections, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Andrew V. Suarez
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Beckman Institute for Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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13
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Bicknell RDC, Ledogar JA, Wroe S, Gutzler BC, Watson WH, Paterson JR. Computational biomechanical analyses demonstrate similar shell-crushing abilities in modern and ancient arthropods. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.1935. [PMID: 30355715 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The biology of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is well documented-including its dietary habits, particularly the ability to crush shell with gnathobasic walking appendages-but virtually nothing is known about the feeding biomechanics of this iconic arthropod. Limulus polyphemus is also considered the archetypal functional analogue of various extinct groups with serial gnathobasic appendages, including eurypterids, trilobites and other early arthropods, especially Sidneyia inexpectans from the mid-Cambrian (508 Myr) Burgess Shale of Canada. Exceptionally preserved specimens of S. inexpectans show evidence suggestive of durophagous (shell-crushing) tendencies-including thick gnathobasic spine cuticle and shelly gut contents-but the masticatory capabilities of this fossil species have yet to be compared with modern durophagous arthropods. Here, we use advanced computational techniques, specifically a unique application of 3D finite-element analysis (FEA), to model the feeding mechanics of L. polyphemus and S. inexpectans: the first such analyses of a modern horseshoe crab and a fossil arthropod. Results show that mechanical performance of the feeding appendages in both arthropods is remarkably similar, suggesting that S. inexpectans had similar shell-crushing capabilities to L. polyphemus This biomechanical solution to processing shelly food therefore has a history extending over 500 Myr, arising soon after the first shell-bearing animals. Arrival of durophagous predators during the early phase of animal evolution undoubtedly fuelled the Cambrian 'arms race' that involved a rapid increase in diversity, disparity and abundance of biomineralized prey species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell D C Bicknell
- Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia .,Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Lab, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
| | - Justin A Ledogar
- Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia.,Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Lab, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Stephen Wroe
- Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia.,Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Lab, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
| | - Benjamin C Gutzler
- Department of Biological Sciences and School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Winsor H Watson
- Department of Biological Sciences and School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - John R Paterson
- Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
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14
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Muñoz MM, Hu Y, Anderson PSL, Patek SN. Strong biomechanical relationships bias the tempo and mode of morphological evolution. eLife 2018; 7:e37621. [PMID: 30091704 PMCID: PMC6133543 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of biomechanics on the tempo and mode of morphological evolution is unresolved, yet is fundamental to organismal diversification. Across multiple four-bar linkage systems in animals, we discovered that rapid morphological evolution (tempo) is associated with mechanical sensitivity (strong correlation between a mechanical system's output and one or more of its components). Mechanical sensitivity is explained by size: the smallest link(s) are disproportionately affected by length changes and most strongly influence mechanical output. Rate of evolutionary change (tempo) is greatest in the smallest links and trait shifts across phylogeny (mode) occur exclusively via the influential, small links. Our findings illuminate the paradigms of many-to-one mapping, mechanical sensitivity, and constraints: tempo and mode are dominated by strong correlations that exemplify mechanical sensitivity, even in linkage systems known for exhibiting many-to-one mapping. Amidst myriad influences, mechanical sensitivity imparts distinct, predictable footprints on morphological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha M Muñoz
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- Department of BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Y Hu
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonUnited States
| | - Philip S L Anderson
- Department of Animal BiologyUniversity of IllinoisUrbana-ChampaignUnited States
| | - SN Patek
- Department of BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
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15
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Büsse S, Gorb SN. Material composition of the mouthpart cuticle in a damselfly larva (Insecta: Odonata) and its biomechanical significance. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:172117. [PMID: 30110404 PMCID: PMC6030260 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.172117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Odonata larvae are key predators in their habitats. They catch prey with a unique and highly efficient apparatus, the prehensile mask. The mandibles and maxillae, however, play the lead in handling and crushing the food. The material composition of the cuticle in the biomechanical system of the larval mouthparts has not been studied so far. We used confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to detect material gradients in the cuticle by differences in autofluorescence. Our results show variations of materials in different areas of the mouthparts: (i) resilin-dominated pads within the membranous transition between the labrum and the anteclypeus, which support mobility and might provide shock absorption, an adaptation against mechanical damage; (ii) high degrees of sclerotization in the incisivi of the mandibles, where high forces occur when crushing the prey's body wall. The interaction of the cuticle geometry, the material composition and the related musculature determine the complex concerted movements of the mouthparts. The material composition influences the strength, mobility and durability of the cuticular components of the mouthparts. Applying CLSM for extracting information about material composition and material properties of arthropod cuticles will considerably help improve finite-element modelling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Büsse
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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16
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Blanke A, Pinheiro M, Watson PJ, Fagan MJ. A biomechanical analysis of prognathous and orthognathous insect head capsules: evidence for a many-to-one mapping of form to function. J Evol Biol 2018; 31:665-674. [PMID: 29444377 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Insect head shapes are remarkably variable, but the influences of these changes on biomechanical performance are unclear. Among 'basal' winged insects, such as dragonflies, mayflies, earwigs and stoneflies, some of the most prominent anatomical changes are the general mouthpart orientation, eye size and the connection of the endoskeleton to the head. Here, we assess these variations as well as differing ridge and sclerite configurations using modern engineering methods including multibody dynamics modelling and finite element analysis in order to quantify and compare the influence of anatomical changes on strain in particular head regions and the whole head. We show that a range of peculiar structures such as the genal/subgenal, epistomal and circumocular areas are consistently highly loaded in all species, despite drastically differing morphologies in species with forward-projecting (prognathous) and downward-projecting (orthognathous) mouthparts. Sensitivity analyses show that the presence of eyes has a negligible influence on head capsule strain if a circumocular ridge is present. In contrast, the connection of the dorsal endoskeletal arms to the head capsule especially affects overall head loading in species with downward-projecting mouthparts. Analysis of the relative strains between species for each head region reveals that concerted changes in head substructures such as the subgenal area, the endoskeleton and the epistomal area lead to a consistent relative loading for the whole head capsule and vulnerable structures such as the eyes. It appears that biting-chewing loads are managed by a system of strengthening ridges on the head capsule irrespective of the general mouthpart and head orientation. Concerted changes in ridge and endoskeleton configuration might allow for more radical anatomical changes such as the general mouthpart orientation, which could be an explanation for the variability of this trait among insects. In an evolutionary context, many-to-one mapping of strain patterns onto a relatively similar overall head loading indeed could have fostered the dynamic diversification processes seen in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Blanke
- Institute of Zoology, Biocenter Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group, School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - M Pinheiro
- Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group, School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - P J Watson
- Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group, School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - M J Fagan
- Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group, School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hull, Hull, UK
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