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Lu Y, Ballerio A, Wang S, Zou Z, Gorb SN, Wang T, Li L, Ji S, Zhao Z, Li S, Tong Y, Chen Y, Zhuo D, Luo C, Zhang W, Liu N, Gu Q, Bai M. The evolution of conglobation in Ceratocanthinae. Commun Biol 2022; 5:777. [PMID: 35933440 PMCID: PMC9357020 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03685-2] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Conglobation is an adaptive behaviour occurring independently in various animal groups. Here, we study the evolution of conglobation in Ceratocanthinae, a beetle group with the ability to roll three body segments into a tight ball. It is here implied that this ability evolved only once in the Mesozoic. Evidence is offered suggesting that the high defensive strength of Ceratocanthinae is due not only to the spherical body shape but also to the thickness and stronger mechanical properties of the dorsal cuticle. We further validate five adaptive characters including the allometrically thickened body wall and find that the specific adaptation of different body segments are likely separate evolutionary events. Finally, we propose an “attackers stress” hypothesis to explain the origin of conglobation behaviours. This work contributes to understanding how and why conglobation behaviour may have evolved in this group. Evolutionary and functional analyses alongside new fossil specimens expand our understanding of rolling-into-ball behaviour in pill scarab beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengting Zou
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China.,College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Lulu Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shen Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yijie Tong
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yandong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - De Zhuo
- Beijing Xiachong Amber Museum, Beijing, China
| | - Cihang Luo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Ning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Ming Bai
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Building 1, No.7 Yiju Road, Yazhou District, Sanya City, Hainan, 572025, China.
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