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González-Ferreiro M, García-París M, Sainz-Escudero L, López-Estrada EK. Analyses of head and thorax in Eupomphini (Meloidae) suggest that complex behaviors are not associated to changes in general shape. Integr Zool 2023; 18:949-957. [PMID: 36929152 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12708] [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] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Our results reject an association between general shape of head and thorax with defensive and courtship behaviors in the studied Eupomphini blister beetles. Instead we found that shape of thorax and head radiated in all directions of the morphospace. We also identified a radical separation between two lineages that could represent future evolutionary constraints for thorax evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - E Karen López-Estrada
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Real Jardín Botánico (RJB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Hellinger R, Sigurdsson A, Wu W, Romanova EV, Li L, Sweedler JV, Süssmuth RD, Gruber CW. Peptidomics. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2023; 3:25. [PMID: 37250919 PMCID: PMC7614574 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-023-00205-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are biopolymers, typically consisting of 2-50 amino acids. They are biologically produced by the cellular ribosomal machinery or by non-ribosomal enzymes and, sometimes, other dedicated ligases. Peptides are arranged as linear chains or cycles, and include post-translational modifications, unusual amino acids and stabilizing motifs. Their structure and molecular size render them a unique chemical space, between small molecules and larger proteins. Peptides have important physiological functions as intrinsic signalling molecules, such as neuropeptides and peptide hormones, for cellular or interspecies communication, as toxins to catch prey or as defence molecules to fend off enemies and microorganisms. Clinically, they are gaining popularity as biomarkers or innovative therapeutics; to date there are more than 60 peptide drugs approved and more than 150 in clinical development. The emerging field of peptidomics comprises the comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the suite of peptides in a biological sample (endogenously produced, or exogenously administered as drugs). Peptidomics employs techniques of genomics, modern proteomics, state-of-the-art analytical chemistry and innovative computational biology, with a specialized set of tools. The complex biological matrices and often low abundance of analytes typically examined in peptidomics experiments require optimized sample preparation and isolation, including in silico analysis. This Primer covers the combination of techniques and workflows needed for peptide discovery and characterization and provides an overview of various biological and clinical applications of peptidomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Hellinger
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arnar Sigurdsson
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wenxin Wu
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elena V Romanova
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lingjun Li
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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3
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Bar-On B. The effect of structural curvature on the load-bearing characteristics of biomechanical elements. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 138:105569. [PMID: 36549249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105569] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Miniature, sharped-edge, curved-shape biomechanical elements appear in various biological systems and grant them diverse functional capabilities, such as mechanical defense, venom injection, and frictional support. While these biomechanical elements demonstrate diverse curved shapes that span from slightly curved needle-like elements (e.g., stingers), through moderately curved anchor-like elements (e.g., claws), to highly curved hook-like elements (e.g., fangs)-the curvature effect on the load-bearing capabilities of these biomechanical elements are yet mostly unknown. Here, we employ structural-mechanical modeling to explore the relationships between the curved shapes of biomechanical elements on their local deformation mechanisms, overall elastic stiffness, and reaction forces on a target surface. We found that the curvature of the biomechanical element is a prime modulator of its load-bearing characteristics that substantially affect its functional capabilities. Slightly curved elements are preferable for penetration states with optimal load-bearing capabilities parallel to their tips but possess high directional sensitivity and degraded capabilities for scratching states; contrary, highly curved elements are suitable for combined penetration-scratching states with mild directional sensitivity and optimal load-bearing capabilities in specialized angular orientation to their tips. These structural-mechanical principles are tightly linked to the intrinsic functional roles of biomechanical elements in diverse natural systems, and their synthetic realizations may promote new engineering designs of advanced biomedical injections, functional surfaces, and micromechanical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benny Bar-On
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel.
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4
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Lins AH, Lira AF, DeSouza AM. Variations in defensive behaviors according to diel period and sex in a litter-dwelling harvestman Pseudopucrolia discrepans (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae). Biologia (Bratisl) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-023-01321-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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5
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Ojanguren-Affilastro AA, Benítez HA, Iuri HA, Mattoni CI, Alfaro FM, Pizarro-Araya J. Description of Bothriurus mistral n. sp., the highest-dwelling Bothriurus from the western Andes (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), using multiple morphometric approaches. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281336. [PMID: 36812178 PMCID: PMC9946213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe Bothriurus mistral n. sp. (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) from the Chilean north-central Andes of the Coquimbo Region. This is the highest elevational discovery for Bothriurus in the western slopes of the Andes. This species was collected in the Estero Derecho Private Protected Area and Natural Sanctuary as part of the First National Biodiversity Inventory of Chile of the Integrated System for Monitoring and Evaluation of Native Forest Ecosystems (SIMEF). Bothriurus mistral n. sp. is closely related to Bothriurus coriaceus Pocock, 1893, from the lowlands of central Chile. This integrative research includes a combination of traditional morphometrics and geometric morphometric analyses to support the taxonomic delimitation of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro
- División Aracnología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Hugo A. Benítez
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Morfometría Evolutiva, Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Instituto Milenio Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Antárticos y Subantárticos (BASE), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad (CIRENYS), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Hernán A. Iuri
- División Aracnología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Camilo I. Mattoni
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA, CONICET–UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fermín M. Alfaro
- Laboratorio de Entomología Ecológica (LEULS), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
- Instituto de Investigación Multidisciplinar en Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
- Grupo de Artrópodos, Sistema Integrado de Monitoreo y Evaluación de Ecosistemas Forestales Nativos (SIMEF), Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Pizarro-Araya
- Laboratorio de Entomología Ecológica (LEULS), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
- Grupo de Artrópodos, Sistema Integrado de Monitoreo y Evaluación de Ecosistemas Forestales Nativos (SIMEF), Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB), Santiago, Chile
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6
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Forde A, Jacobsen A, Dugon MM, Healy K. Scorpion Species with Smaller Body Sizes and Narrower Chelae Have the Highest Venom Potency. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:219. [PMID: 35324715 PMCID: PMC8951363 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14030219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpionism is a global health concern, with an estimation of over one million annual envenomation cases. Despite this, little is known regarding the drivers of scorpion venom potency. One widely held view is that smaller scorpions with less-developed chelae possess the most potent venoms. While this perception is often used as a guide for medical intervention, it has yet to be tested in a formal comparative framework. Here, we use a phylogenetic comparative analysis of 36 scorpion species to test whether scorpion venom potency, as measured using LD50, is related to scorpion body size and morphology. We found a positive relationship between LD50 and scorpion total length, supporting the perception that smaller scorpions possess more potent venoms. We also found that, independent of body size, scorpion species with long narrow chelae have higher venom potencies compared to species with more robust chelae. These results not only support the general perception of scorpion morphology and potency, but also the presence of an ecology trade-off with scorpions either selected for well-developed chelae or more potent venoms. Testing the patterns of venom variations in scorpions aids both our ecological understanding and our ability to address the global health burden of scorpionism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alannah Forde
- Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.F.); (A.J.); (M.M.D.)
| | - Adam Jacobsen
- Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.F.); (A.J.); (M.M.D.)
| | - Michel M. Dugon
- Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.F.); (A.J.); (M.M.D.)
| | - Kevin Healy
- Macroecology Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
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7
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Coelho P, Kaliontzopoulou A, Sousa P, Stockmann M, van der Meijden A. Reevaluating scorpion ecomorphs using a naïve approach. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:17. [PMID: 35164666 PMCID: PMC8845257 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-01968-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ecomorphs create the opportunity to investigate ecological adaptation because they encompass organisms that evolved characteristic morphologies under similar ecological demands. For over 50 years, scorpions have been empirically assigned to ecomorphs based on the characteristic morphologies that rock, sand, vegetation, underground, and surface dwellers assume. This study aims to independently test the existence of scorpion ecomorphs by quantifying the association between their morphology and ecology across 61 species, representing 14 families of the Scorpiones order. Results Without a priori categorization of species into ecomorphs, we identified four groups based on microhabitat descriptors, which reflect how scorpion ecospace is clustered. Moreover, these microhabitat groups, i.e., ecotypes, have significantly divergent morphologies; therefore, they represent ecomorphs. These ecomorphs largely correspond with the ones previously described in the literature. Therefore, we retained the names Lithophilous, Psammophilous, and Pelophilous, and proposed the name Phytophilous for vegetation dwellers. Finally, we sought to map the morphology-ecology association in scorpions and found that the morphological regions most tightly associated with ecology are at the extremities. Moreover, the major trend in ecomorphological covariation is that longer walking legs and relatively slender pedipalps (pincers) are associated with sandy microhabitats, while the inverse morphological proportions are associated with rocky microhabitats. Conclusions Scorpion ecomorphs are validated in a naïve approach, from ecological descriptors and whole body anatomy. This places them on a more solid quantitative footing for future studies of ecological adaptation in scorpions. Our results verify most of the previously defined ecomorphotypes and could be used as a current practice to understand the adaptive significance of ecological morphology. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-01968-0.
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8
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Arroyave-Muñoz A, Meijden AVD, Estrada-Gómez S, García LF. Linking toxicity and predation in a venomous arthropod: the case of Tityus fuhrmanni (Scorpiones: Buthidae), a generalist predator scorpion. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20210036. [PMID: 35082841 PMCID: PMC8747031 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Scorpions are arachnids that have a generalist diet, which use venom to
subdue their prey. The study of their trophic ecology and capture behavior
is still limited compared to other organisms, and aspects such as trophic
specialization in this group have been little explored. Methods: In order to determine the relationship between feeding behavior and venom
toxicity in the scorpion species Tityus fuhrmanni, 33
specimens were offered prey with different morphologies and defense
mechanisms: spiders, cockroaches and crickets. In each of the experiments we
recorded the following aspects: acceptance rate, immobilization time and the
number of capture attempts. The median lethal dose of T.
fuhrmanni venom against the three different types of prey was
also evaluated. Results: We found that this species does not have a marked difference in acceptance
for any of the evaluated prey, but the number of capture attempts of spiders
is higher when compared to the other types of prey. The immobilization time
is shorter in spiders compared to other prey and the LD50 was
higher for cockroaches. Conclusions: These results indicate that T. fuhrmanni is a scorpion with
a generalist diet, has a venom with a different potency among prey and is
capable of discriminating between prey types and employing distinct
strategies to subdue them.
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9
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Vonk FJ, Bittenbinder MA, Kerkkamp HMI, Grashof DGB, Archer JP, Afonso S, Richardson MK, Kool J, van der Meijden A. A non-lethal method for studying scorpion venom gland transcriptomes, with a review of potentially suitable taxa to which it can be applied. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258712. [PMID: 34793470 PMCID: PMC8601437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are mixtures of proteins, peptides and small molecular compounds with high specificity for ion channels and are therefore considered to be promising candidates in the venoms-to-drugs pipeline. Transcriptomes are important tools for studying the composition and expression of scorpion venom. Unfortunately, studying the venom gland transcriptome traditionally requires sacrificing the animal and therefore is always a single snapshot in time. This paper describes a new way of generating a scorpion venom gland transcriptome without sacrificing the animal, thereby allowing the study of the transcriptome at various time points within a single individual. By comparing these venom-derived transcriptomes to the traditional whole-telson transcriptomes we show that the relative expression levels of the major toxin classes are similar. We further performed a multi-day extraction using our proposed method to show the possibility of doing a multiple time point transcriptome analysis. This allows for the study of patterns of toxin gene activation over time a single individual, and allows assessment of the effects of diet, season and other factors that are known or likely to influence intraindividual venom composition. We discuss the gland characteristics that may allow this method to be successful in scorpions and provide a review of other venomous taxa to which this method may potentially be successfully applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freek J. Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Animal Science and Health Cluster, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mátyás A. Bittenbinder
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harald M. I. Kerkkamp
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Animal Science and Health Cluster, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - John P. Archer
- CIBIO-InBIO, Biopolis, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Afonso
- CIBIO-InBIO, Biopolis, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Michael K. Richardson
- Animal Science and Health Cluster, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Faculty of Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Simone Y, van der Meijden A. Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210002. [PMID: 34527038 PMCID: PMC8425188 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions possess two systems of weapons: the pincers (chelae) and the stinger (telson). These are placed on anatomically and developmentally well separated parts of the body, that is, the oral appendages and at the end of the body axis. The otherwise conserved body plan of scorpions varies most in the shape and relative dimensions of these two weapon systems, both across species and in some cases between the sexes. We review the literature on the ecological function of these two weapon systems in each of three contexts of usage: (i) predation, (ii) defense and (iii) sexual contests. In the latter context, we will also discuss their usage in mating. We first provide a comparative background for each of these contexts of usage by giving examples of other weapon systems from across the animal kingdom. Then, we discuss the pertinent aspects of the anatomy of the weapon systems, particularly those aspects relevant to their functioning in their ecological roles. The literature on the functioning and ecological role of both the chelae and the telson is discussed in detail, again organized by context of usage. Particular emphasis is given on the differences in morphology or usage between species or higher taxonomic groups, or between genders, as such cases are most insightful to understand the roles of each of the two distinct weapon systems of the scorpions and their evolutionary interactions. We aimed to synthesize the literature while minimizing conjecture, but also to point out gaps in the literature and potential future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Simone
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
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Günther A, Drack M, Monod L, Wirkner CS. A unique yet technically simple type of joint allows for the high mobility of scorpion tails. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210388. [PMID: 34465210 PMCID: PMC8409540 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although being one of the most well-known animal groups, functional and constructional aspects of scorpions and especially of their tail (metasoma) have so far been overlooked. This tail represents a special construction, as it consists of five tube-shaped segments made up of strong cuticle, which are movable against each other and thus manoeuvre the notorious stinger both quickly and very precisely in space. This high mobility of an exoskeletal structure can be attributed to the connection between the segments described here for the first time. This joint allows for the twisting and bending at the same time in a single, simple construction: adjoining metasomal segments each possess an almost circular opening posteriorly, where the next segment is lodged. Anteriorly, these segments possess two saddle-like protrusions laterally, which are able to rotate in two directions on the rim of the posterior circular opening of the previous segment allowing for twisting and bending. The metasomal joint is particularly noteworthy since its mechanism can be compared to that of arthropod appendages. The scorpion metasoma is actually the only known case in Chelicerata, in which an entire body section has been modified to perform tasks similar to that of an appendage while containing digestive organs. The joint mechanism can also inspire technical applications, for instance in robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Günther
- Allgemeine & Spezielle Zoologie, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Universitätsplatz 2, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Manfred Drack
- Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28E, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lionel Monod
- Secteur Invertébrés, Muséum d'histoire Naturelle, Route de Malagnou 1, 1208 Genève, Switzerland
| | - Christian S. Wirkner
- Allgemeine & Spezielle Zoologie, Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Universitätsplatz 2, 18055 Rostock, Germany
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12
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Hernández Duran L, Wilson DT, Briffa M, Rymer TL. Beyond spider personality: The relationships between behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2974-2989. [PMID: 33841759 PMCID: PMC8019048 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spiders are useful models for testing different hypotheses and methodologies relating to animal personality and behavioral syndromes because they show a range of behavioral types and unique physiological traits (e.g., silk and venom) that are not observed in many other animals. These characteristics allow for a unique understanding of how physiology, behavioral plasticity, and personality interact across different contexts to affect spider's individual fitness and survival. However, the relative effect of extrinsic factors on physiological traits (silk, venom, and neurohormones) that play an important role in spider survival, and which may impact personality, has received less attention. The goal of this review is to explore how the environment, experience, ontogeny, and physiology interact to affect spider personality types across different contexts. We highlight physiological traits, such as neurohormones, and unique spider biochemical weapons, namely silks and venoms, to explore how the use of these traits might, or might not, be constrained or limited by particular behavioral types. We argue that, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the flexibility and persistence of specific behavioral types in spiders, it is necessary to incorporate these underlying mechanisms into a synthesized whole, alongside other extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernández Duran
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityCairnsQldAustralia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability SciencesJames Cook UniversityCairnsQldAustralia
| | - David Thomas Wilson
- Centre for Molecular TherapeuticsAustralian Institute for Tropical Health and MedicineJames Cook UniversityCairnsQldAustralia
| | - Mark Briffa
- School of Biological and Marine SciencesPlymouth UniversityPlymouthUK
| | - Tasmin Lee Rymer
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityCairnsQldAustralia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability SciencesJames Cook UniversityCairnsQldAustralia
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13
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Telheiro A, Coelho P, van der Meijden A. The effect of change in mass distribution due to defensive posture on gait in fat-tailed scorpions. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2021; 207:117-125. [PMID: 33751181 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-021-01467-5] [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: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In terrestrial legged locomotion, the distribution of mass can influence the gait characteristics. This can be due to a change in the magnitude or distribution of the load. The latter occurs in scorpions when they lift their large metasoma from a trailing position in ambulatory posture to the well-known arched forward position in the defensive posture. We measured how locomotion changes between these two postures by recording scorpions walking using high-speed video. We found that the metasoma in the fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis) represents about a quarter of the total mass. Moving this mass anteriorly over the body changes the position of the center of mass forward 8.15 ± 1.86 mm. We found this increases the overall duty factor, and particularly that of the second leg pair, even when taking the reduced speed in defensive posture into account. In the five scorpions we recorded, also the ipsilateral phase of leg pairs 3 and 4 differed in defensive posture. We found that the trajectory the 4th foot describes during a single stride also differed significantly between postures, showing this to be a sensitive measure of changes in gait. The change from an ambulatory to a defensive posture places different demands on the gait of scorpions, possibly largely due to the forward displacement of the center of mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Telheiro
- CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, Vila do Conde, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Pedro Coelho
- CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, Vila do Conde, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, Vila do Conde, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
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14
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Evolutionary kinematics of spinneret movements for rapid silk thread anchorage in spiders. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2020; 207:141-152. [PMID: 33226486 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-020-01453-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Many organisms secrete structural materials from their bodies to enhance protection, foraging or signalling. The function of such secretion products can be further extended by their assembly into complex structures, so-called extended phenotypes, such as shells, nests and biofilms. Understanding the variation in the efficacy of such assembly processes could help to explain why extended phenotypes are common on some lineages and rare in others. Here, I comparatively studied the assembly of sticky silk fibres into thread anchorages by the innate 'printing' behaviour in 92 species of spiders from 45 families, representing the so-far largest comparative study of construction-related motion patterns. I found a global evolutionary trend towards a faster production of silk thread anchorages, in both web builders and hunting spiders. The slowest producers of silk anchors belong to a clade with an ancestral configuration of respiratory organs, suggesting that a major constraint to the evolution of spinning speed is the efficiency of oxygen uptake. Motion patterns were found to contain a high phylogenetic signal, but did not correlate with spinning speeds. These results help to explain the variation in diversity and ecological success among the spider fauna and showcase the value of comparative kinematics in biodiversity studies.
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Lira AFA, Almeida FMF, Albuquerque CMR. Reaction under the risk of predation: effects of age and sexual plasticity on defensive behavior in scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae). J ETHOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-019-00615-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Mitchell SK, Wang X, Acome E, Martin T, Ly K, Kellaris N, Venkata VG, Keplinger C. An Easy-to-Implement Toolkit to Create Versatile and High-Performance HASEL Actuators for Untethered Soft Robots. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1900178. [PMID: 31380206 PMCID: PMC6662077 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201900178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
For soft robots to have ubiquitous adoption in practical applications they require soft actuators that provide well-rounded actuation performance that parallels natural muscle while being inexpensive and easily fabricated. This manuscript introduces a toolkit to rapidly prototype, manufacture, test, and power various designs of hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuators with muscle-like performance that achieve all three basic modes of actuation (expansion, contraction, and rotation). This toolkit utilizes easy-to-implement methods, inexpensive fabrication tools, commodity materials, and off-the-shelf high-voltage electronics thereby enabling a wide audience to explore HASEL technology. Remarkably, the actuators created from this easy-to-implement toolkit achieve linear strains exceeding 100%, a specific power greater than 150 W kg-1, and ≈20% strain at frequencies above 100 Hz. This combination of large strain, extreme speed, and high specific power yields soft actuators that jump without power-amplifying mechanisms. Additionally, an efficient fabrication technique is introduced for modular designs of HASEL actuators, which is used to develop soft robotic devices driven by portable electronics. Inspired by the versatility of elephant trunks, the above capabilities are combined to create an untethered continuum robot for grasping and manipulating delicate objects, highlighting the wide potential of the introduced methods for soft robots with increasing sophistication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane K. Mitchell
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Xingrui Wang
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
- School of Physics Science and EngineeringTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Eric Acome
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Trent Martin
- Department of ElectricalComputer & Energy EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Khoi Ly
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Nicholas Kellaris
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
- Materials Science and Engineering ProgramUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
| | | | - Christoph Keplinger
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
- Materials Science and Engineering ProgramUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO80309USA
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Martinez CM, Wainwright PC. Extending the Geometric Approach for Studying Biomechanical Motions. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:684-695. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Whether it is swimming, walking, eating, or jumping, motions are a fundamental way in which organisms interact with their environment. Understanding how morphology contributes to motion is a primary focus of kinematic research and is necessary for gaining insights into the evolution of functional systems. However, an element that is largely missing from traditional analyses of motion is the spatial context in which they occur. We explore an application of geometric morphometrics (GM) for analyzing and comparing motions to evaluate the outputs of biomechanical linkage models. We focus on a common model for oral jaw mechanics of perciform fishes, the fourbar linkage, using GM to summarize motion as a trajectory of shape change. Two traits derived from trajectories capture the total kinesis generated by a linkage (trajectory length) and the kinematic asynchrony (KA) of its mobile components (trajectory nonlinearity). Oral jaw fourbar data from two subfamilies of Malagasy cichlids were used to generate form–function landscapes, describing broad features of kinematic diversity. Our results suggest that kinesis and KA have complex relationships with fourbar morphology, each displaying a pattern in which different shapes possess equivalent kinematic trait values, known as many-to-one mapping of form-to-function. Additionally, we highlight the observation that KA captures temporal differences in the activation of motion components, a feature of kinesis that has long been appreciated but was difficult to measure. The methods used here to study fourbar linkages can also be applied to more complex biomechanical models and broadly to motions of live organisms. We suggest that they provide a suitable alternative to traditional approaches for evaluating linkage function and kinematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Martinez
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - P C Wainwright
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Functional Morphology and Defensive Behavior in a Social Aphid. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10060163. [PMID: 31181861 PMCID: PMC6627702 DOI: 10.3390/insects10060163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Social aphids produce different morphs, which are genetically identical but morphologically different. Each morph performs a different duty in its community. Social aphids usually produce morphologically distinct soldiers to protect their colonies. The social aphid Pseudoregma bambucicola produces sterile first instar soldiers with specialized body parts and unique defensive behaviors, such as hind leg waving. By using this species as a research model, this study tested the assumption that the functional morphological basis of defensive behaviors of soldiers is related to specialized body parts. Field observations and a comprehensive morphometric analysis were carried out for natural populations. The results showed significant differences in functional morphology between soldiers, first instar nymphs, and adults. Elongated hind legs in soldiers are an important functional morphological basis for the deimatic behavior of hind leg waving, while sclerotized front legs and head horns are related to the function of directly attacking natural enemies. The size variation of different body parts among different morphs also indicates a cost–benefit trade-off in the evolution of the social aphid species.
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Evans ERJ, Northfield TD, Daly NL, Wilson DT. Venom Costs and Optimization in Scorpions. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Rota T, Jabiol J, Chauvet E, Lecerf A. Phenotypic determinants of inter-individual variability of litter consumption rate in a detritivore population. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Rota
- EcoLab, Univ. de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS; 118, route de Narbonne - Bâtiment 4R1, FR-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
| | - Jérémy Jabiol
- EcoLab, Univ. de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS; 118, route de Narbonne - Bâtiment 4R1, FR-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
| | - Eric Chauvet
- EcoLab, Univ. de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS; 118, route de Narbonne - Bâtiment 4R1, FR-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
| | - Antoine Lecerf
- EcoLab, Univ. de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS; 118, route de Narbonne - Bâtiment 4R1, FR-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
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