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Oliveira FGL, Smith AA. A morphofunctional study of the jumping apparatus in globular springtails. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2024; 79:101333. [PMID: 38340520 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2024.101333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Springtails are notable for their jumping apparatus and latch-mediated spring mechanism. The challenge, in the light of the tiny size and rapid movement of these organisms, has been to understand the morphological intricacies of this spring system. This study takes an approach that integrates SEM, MicroCT, cLSM and high-speed video recordings to understand the composition and functionality of the jumping apparatus in Megalothorax minimus (Neelipleona), Dicyrtomina ornata and Dicyrtomina minuta (Symphypleona). We focus on reconstructing, describing, and understanding the functioning of structures such as basal plates, musculature and furca. The dimensions of the jumping apparatus in Dicyrtomina and Megalothorax differ significantly from those in elongated springtails. A hypothesis of functional coherence between taxa, based on muscle connections and basal plates, is postulated. High-speed video recordings provide information on: 1) furca release timing and function during jumping and self-righting; 2) performance properties of manubrium, dens and mucro in interaction with the ground and in take-off; 3) possible pre-release furca moves. The study underscores the need for further research employing a variety of visualization methods in order to explore additional aspects such as retinaculum unlatching and furca flexion/extension muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio G L Oliveira
- Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Rostock, Allgemeine und Spezielle Zoologie, Universitätsplatz 2, 18055, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Adrian A Smith
- Research and Collections, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA; Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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2
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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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3
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Zhao S, Zhang D, Yan Y, Yin X. Investigation of bionic composite laminates inspired by the natural impact-resistant helicoidal structure in the mandibles of trap-jaw ants. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2023; 18:056005. [PMID: 37531970 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/acece9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Many living organisms exhibit exceptional capabilities and have evolved effective strategies to synthesize impact-resistant and damage-tolerant structures. One such example can be observed in the rapid mandible strikes ofOdontomachus monticola, a species of trap-jaw ants from the ponerine subfamily. During trap-jaw strikes, the mandibles can achieve peak speeds of 35.42 m s-1, and the maximum acceleration can reach 71 729 g within an average duration of 0.18 ms. The extreme acceleration results in instantaneous mandible strike forces that can exceed 330 times the ant's body weight, withstanding thousands of impacts. A natural impact-resistant fibrous helicoidal structure is found in the mandibles of trap-jaw ants. This microstructure is characterized by periodic modulus oscillations that increase energy absorption and improve stress redistribution, offering added protection against damage from impact loading. A carbon fiber reinforced helicoidal composite is fabricated based on the microstructure of the trap-jaw ant's mandibles. The results show that the helicoidal composite with a 12° helical-fiber exhibits higher residual strength, making it more capable of withstanding strong collisions. The catastrophic propagation of damage along the thickness direction is prevented by in-plane spreading and redirection of cracks. This research provides useful references for fabricating bionic impact-resistant composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicai Zhao
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Bionic and Micro-Nano Systems, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Deyuan Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Bionic and Micro-Nano Systems, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yupu Yan
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Yin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Bionic and Micro-Nano Systems, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
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4
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Harrison JS, Patek SN. Developing elastic mechanisms: ultrafast motion and cavitation emerge at the millimeter scale in juvenile snapping shrimp. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:287686. [PMID: 36854255 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244645] [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: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Organisms such as jumping froghopper insects and punching mantis shrimp use spring-based propulsion to achieve fast motion. Studies of elastic mechanisms have primarily focused on fully developed and functional mechanisms in adult organisms. However, the ontogeny and development of these mechanisms can provide important insights into the lower size limits of spring-based propulsion, the ecological or behavioral relevance of ultrafast movement, and the scaling of ultrafast movement. Here, we examined the development of the spring-latch mechanism in the bigclaw snapping shrimp, Alpheus heterochaelis (Alpheidae). Adult snapping shrimp use an enlarged claw to produce high-speed strikes that generate cavitation bubbles. However, until now, it was unclear when the elastic mechanism emerges during development and whether juvenile snapping shrimp can generate cavitation at this size. We reared A. heterochaelis from eggs, through their larval and postlarval stages. Starting 1 month after hatching, the snapping shrimp snapping claw gradually developed a spring-actuated mechanism and began snapping. We used high-speed videography (300,000 frames s-1) to measure juvenile snaps. We discovered that juvenile snapping shrimp generate the highest recorded accelerations (5.8×105±3.3×105 m s-2) for repeated-use, underwater motion and are capable of producing cavitation at the millimeter scale. The angular velocity of snaps did not change as juveniles grew; however, juvenile snapping shrimp with larger claws produced faster linear speeds and generated larger, longer-lasting cavitation bubbles. These findings establish the development of the elastic mechanism and cavitation in snapping shrimp and provide insights into early life-history transitions in spring-actuated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S N Patek
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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5
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Anderson PSL. Shifts in morphological covariation and evolutionary rates across multiple acquisitions of the trap-jaw mechanism in Strumigenys. Evolution 2022; 76:2076-2088. [PMID: 35848877 PMCID: PMC9545230 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A long-standing question in comparative biology is how the evolution of biomechanical systems influences morphological evolution. The need for functional fidelity implies that the evolution of such systems should be associated with tighter morphological covariation, which may promote or dampen rates of morphological evolution. I examine this question across multiple evolutionary origins of the trap-jaw mechanism in the genus Strumigenys. Trap-jaw ants have latch-mediated, spring-actuated systems that amplify the power output of their mandibles. I use Bayesian estimates of covariation and evolutionary rates to test the hypotheses that the evolution of this high-performance system is associated with tighter morphological covariation in the head and mandibles relative to nontrap-jaw forms and that this leads to shifts in rates of morphological evolution. Contrary to these hypotheses, there is no evidence of a large-scale shift to higher covariation in trap-jaw forms, while different traits show both increased and decreased evolutionary rates between forms. These patterns may be indicative of many-to-one mapping and/or mechanical sensitivity in the trap-jaw LaMSA system. Overall, it appears that the evolution of trap-jaw forms in Strumigenys did not require a correlated increase in morphological covariation, partly explaining the proclivity with which the system has evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S. L. Anderson
- Department of EvolutionEcology and Behavior, University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign, 515 Morrill Hall, 505 S Goodwin AveUrbanaIL61801
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6
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Larabee FJ, Gibson JC, Rivera MD, Anderson PSL, Suarez AV. Muscle fatigue in the latch-mediated spring actuated mandibles of trap-jaw ants. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:icac091. [PMID: 35689666 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle fatigue can reduce performance potentially affecting an organism's fitness. However, some aspects of fatigue could be overcome by employing a latch-mediated spring actuated system (LaMSA) where muscle activity is decoupled from movement. We estimated the effects of muscle fatigue on different aspects of mandible performance in six species of ants, two whose mandibles are directly actuated by muscles and four that have LaMSA "trap-jaw" mandibles. We found evidence that the LaMSA system of trap-jaw ants may prevent some aspects of performance from declining with repeated use, including duration, acceleration and peak velocity. However, inter-strike interval increased with repeated strikes suggesting that muscle fatigue still comes into play during the spring loading phase. In contrast, one species with directly actuated mandibles showed a decline in bite force over time. These results have implications for design principles aimed at minimizing the effects of fatigue on performance in spring and motor actuated systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Larabee
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 1000 Constitution Ave., Washington DC
| | - Josh C Gibson
- Department of Entomology
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. 515 Morrill Hall. 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL. 61801
| | | | - Philip S L Anderson
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. 515 Morrill Hall. 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL. 61801
| | - Andrew V Suarez
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
- Department of Entomology
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. 515 Morrill Hall. 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL. 61801
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7
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Azorsa F, Muscedere ML, Traniello JFA. Socioecology and Evolutionary Neurobiology of Predatory Ants. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.804200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Bertone MA, Gibson JC, Seago AE, Yoshida T, Smith AA. A novel power-amplified jumping behavior in larval beetles (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0256509. [PMID: 35045081 PMCID: PMC8769368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Larval insects use many methods for locomotion. Here we describe a previously unknown jumping behavior in a group of beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae). We analyze and describe this behavior in Laemophloeus biguttatus and provide information on similar observations for another laemophloeid species, Placonotus testaceus. Laemophloeus biguttatus larvae precede jumps by arching their body while gripping the substrate with their legs over a period of 0.22 ± 0.17s. This is followed by a rapid ventral curling of the body after the larvae releases its grip that launches them into the air. Larvae reached takeoff velocities of 0.47 ± 0.15 m s-1 and traveled 11.2 ± 2.8 mm (1.98 ± 0.8 body lengths) horizontally and 7.9 ± 4.3 mm (1.5 ± 0.9 body lengths) vertically during their jumps. Conservative estimates of power output revealed that some but not all jumps can be explained by direct muscle power alone, suggesting Laemophloeus biguttatus may use a latch-mediated spring actuation mechanism (LaMSA) in which interaction between the larvae's legs and the substrate serves as the latch. MicroCT scans and SEM imaging of larvae did not reveal any notable modifications that would aid in jumping. Although more in-depth experiments could not be performed to test hypotheses on the function of these jumps, we posit that this behavior is used for rapid locomotion which is energetically more efficient than crawling the same distance to disperse from their ephemeral habitat. We also summarize and discuss jumping behaviors among insect larvae for additional context of this behavior in laemophloeid beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Bertone
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joshua C. Gibson
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ainsley E. Seago
- Section of Invertebrate Zoology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Takahiro Yoshida
- Systematic Zoology Laboratory, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Adrian A. Smith
- Research & Collections, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
- Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
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9
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Esteves FA, Fisher BL. Corrieoponenouragues gen. nov., sp. nov., a new Ponerinae from French Guiana (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Zookeys 2022; 1074:83-173. [PMID: 34975267 PMCID: PMC8671710 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1074.75551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes the worker and queen castes of the Neotropical ponerine Corrieoponenouraguesgen. nov., sp. nov., an ant from the tropical rainforest in French Guiana. Worker morphology of the taxon is compared with those of other Ponerinae and the similarities between them are discussed, refining the definition of character states for some diagnostic characters at the generic level, providing an identification key to the Neotropical genera, and making some adjustments to the taxonomic framework within the subfamily. Descriptions, diagnosis, character discussion, identification key, and glossary are illustrated with more than 300 images and line drawings. Open science is supported by providing access to measurement data for specimens of the new genus, a matrix of character states for all ponerine taxa evaluated in this study, and specimen data for all examined material. The new or revived combinations presented here are Pachycondylaprocidua Emery, comb. rev., Neoponeracuriosa (Mackay and Mackay), comb. nov., Leptogenysbutteli (Forel), comb. nov., and Bothroponeraescherichi (Forel), comb. nov. In addition, Leptogenysbutteli is synonymized with Leptogenysmyops (Emery), syn. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia A Esteves
- Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA California Academy of Sciences San Francisco United States of America
| | - Brian L Fisher
- Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA California Academy of Sciences San Francisco United States of America
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Jorge JF, Bergbreiter S, Patek SN. Pendulum-based measurements reveal impact dynamics at the scale of a trap-jaw ant. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.232157. [PMID: 33504588 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.232157] [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: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Small organisms can produce powerful, sub-millisecond impacts by moving tiny structures at high accelerations. We developed and validated a pendulum device to measure the impact energetics of microgram-sized trap-jaw ant mandibles accelerated against targets at 105 m s-2 Trap-jaw ants (Odontomachus brunneus; 19 individuals, 212 strikes) were suspended on one pendulum and struck swappable targets that were either attached to an opposing pendulum or fixed in place. Mean post-impact kinetic energy (energy from a strike converted to pendulum motion) was higher with a stiff target (21.0-21.5 µJ) than with a compliant target (6.4-6.5 µJ). Target mobility had relatively little influence on energy transfer. Mean contact duration of strikes against stiff targets was shorter (3.9-4.5 ms) than against compliant targets (6.2-7.9 ms). Shorter contact duration was correlated with higher post-impact kinetic energy. These findings contextualize and provide an energetic explanation for the diverse, natural uses of trap-jaw ant strikes such as impaling prey, launching away threats and performing mandible-powered jumps. The strong effect of target material on energetic exchange suggests material interactions as an avenue for tuning performance of small, high acceleration impacts. Our device offers a foundation for novel research into the ecomechanics and evolution of tiny biological impacts and their application in synthetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin F Jorge
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sarah Bergbreiter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - S N Patek
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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11
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Booher DB, Gibson JC, Liu C, Longino JT, Fisher BL, Janda M, Narula N, Toulkeridou E, Mikheyev AS, Suarez AV, Economo EP. Functional innovation promotes diversification of form in the evolution of an ultrafast trap-jaw mechanism in ants. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001031. [PMID: 33651798 PMCID: PMC7924744 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary innovations underlie the rise of diversity and complexity-the 2 long-term trends in the history of life. How does natural selection redesign multiple interacting parts to achieve a new emergent function? We investigated the evolution of a biomechanical innovation, the latch-spring mechanism of trap-jaw ants, to address 2 outstanding evolutionary problems: how form and function change in a system during the evolution of new complex traits, and whether such innovations and the diversity they beget are repeatable in time and space. Using a new phylogenetic reconstruction of 470 species, and X-ray microtomography and high-speed videography of representative taxa, we found the trap-jaw mechanism evolved independently 7 to 10 times in a single ant genus (Strumigenys), resulting in the repeated evolution of diverse forms on different continents. The trap mechanism facilitates a 6 to 7 order of magnitude greater mandible acceleration relative to simpler ancestors, currently the fastest recorded acceleration of a resettable animal movement. We found that most morphological diversification occurred after evolution of latch-spring mechanisms, which evolved via minor realignments of mouthpart structures. This finding, whereby incremental changes in form lead to a change of function, followed by large morphological reorganization around the new function, provides a model for understanding the evolution of complex biomechanical traits, as well as insights into why such innovations often happen repeatedly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B. Booher
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Georgia Museum of Natural History, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Entomology, and Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joshua C. Gibson
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Entomology, and Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Cong Liu
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - John T. Longino
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Brian L. Fisher
- Department of Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Milan Janda
- National Laboratory for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (LANASE), ENES, UNAM, Morelia, Mexico
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nitish Narula
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Evropi Toulkeridou
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Alexander S. Mikheyev
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
- Evolutionary Genomics Research group, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Andrew V. Suarez
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Entomology, and Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
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12
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Abstract
Temperature influences many physiological processes that govern life as a result of the thermal sensitivity of chemical reactions. The repeated evolution of endothermy and widespread behavioral thermoregulation in animals highlight the importance of elevating tissue temperature to increase the rate of chemical processes. Yet, movement performance that is robust to changes in body temperature has been observed in numerous species. This thermally robust performance appears exceptional in light of the well-documented effects of temperature on muscle contractile properties, including shortening velocity, force, power and work. Here, we propose that the thermal robustness of movements in which mechanical processes replace or augment chemical processes is a general feature of any organismal system, spanning kingdoms. The use of recoiling elastic structures to power movement in place of direct muscle shortening is one of the most thoroughly studied mechanical processes; using these studies as a basis, we outline an analytical framework for detecting thermal robustness, relying on the comparison of temperature coefficients (Q 10 values) between chemical and mechanical processes. We then highlight other biomechanical systems in which thermally robust performance that arises from mechanical processes may be identified using this framework. Studying diverse movements in the context of temperature will both reveal mechanisms underlying performance and allow the prediction of changes in performance in response to a changing thermal environment, thus deepening our understanding of the thermal ecology of many organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey P Olberding
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, 321 Steinhaus Hall, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Stephen M Deban
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Science Center 110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
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13
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Divi S, Ma X, Ilton M, St Pierre R, Eslami B, Patek SN, Bergbreiter S. Latch-based control of energy output in spring actuated systems. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200070. [PMID: 32693743 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The inherent force-velocity trade-off of muscles and motors can be overcome by instead loading and releasing energy in springs to power extreme movements. A key component of this paradigm is the latch that mediates the release of spring energy to power the motion. Latches have traditionally been considered as switches; they maintain spring compression in one state and allow the spring to release energy without constraint in the other. Using a mathematical model of a simplified contact latch, we reproduce this instantaneous release behaviour and also demonstrate that changing latch parameters (latch release velocity and radius) can reduce and delay the energy released by the spring. We identify a critical threshold between instantaneous and delayed release that depends on the latch, spring, and mass of the system. Systems with stiff springs and small mass can attain a wide range of output performance, including instantaneous behaviour, by changing latch release velocity. We validate this model in both a physical experiment as well as with data from the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae, and propose that latch release velocity can be used in both engineering and biological systems to control energy output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathvik Divi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Xiaotian Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mark Ilton
- Department of Physics, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Ryan St Pierre
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Babak Eslami
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, USA
| | - S N Patek
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sarah Bergbreiter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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