1
|
Soliman M, Almadiy A, Al-Akeel R, Hesselberg T, Mohamed A. Limited genetic variability and spatial population structure in grasshoppers between natural and metal-contaminated areas in Egypt. J Insect Sci 2024; 24:12. [PMID: 38501856 PMCID: PMC10949439 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Pollutants in an environment can have long-term implications for the species living there, resulting in local adaptations with implications for their genetic structure. Heavy metal pollutants infiltrate soils and groundwater, bioaccumulate in food webs, and negatively impact biota. In this study, we investigated the degree to which the genetic structure and variability of the slender green-winged grasshopper (Aiolopus thalassinus (Fabricius) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)) were impacted by heavy metal pollution and distance. We used the random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) method to examine the genetic variability of populations in 3 heavy metal-polluted and 3 unpolluted locations across varying geographical distances in Egypt. The heavy metal concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc were measured from the grasshopper tissue and soils. Sixty-nine unique and polymorphic bands were produced by 4 primers. Cluster and principal component analyses separated the populations inside and outside Cairo into 2 main branches, which were further divided into smaller branches corresponding to their geographical regions. We found no differences in the Shannon genetic diversity index between populations or with increasing heavy metal concentrations in either the soil or the grasshopper tissue. Our results showed a greater genetic variation among populations than between populations within the same location, indicating populations within locations were less differentiated than those between locations. The moderate correlation between genetic similarity and spatial distance suggests geographical isolation influenced grasshopper population differentiation. Based on the RAPD analysis, environmental pollutants and geographical distances impact the A. thalassinus population structure, potentially restricting gene flow between sites even at small spatial scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Soliman
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Abdulrhman Almadiy
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Arts, Najran University, Najran 1988, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha Al-Akeel
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Amr Mohamed
- King Saud University Museum of Arthropods, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hesselberg T, Gálvez D. Spider Ecology and Behaviour-Spiders as Model Organisms. Insects 2023; 14:330. [PMID: 37103145 PMCID: PMC10143103 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Spiders are versatile and ubiquitous generalist predators that can be found in all terrestrial ecosystems except for Antarctica [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JA, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Dumas Gálvez
- Coiba Scientific Station, Panama City 0843-01853, Panama
- Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama City 0824, Panama
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City P.O. Box 0843-03092, Panama
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hesselberg T, Boyd KM, Styrsky JD, Gálvez D. Host Plant Specificity in Web-Building Spiders. Insects 2023; 14:insects14030229. [PMID: 36975914 PMCID: PMC10051880 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Spiders are ubiquitous generalist predators playing an important role in regulating insect populations in many ecosystems. Traditionally they have not been thought to have strong influences on, or interactions with plants. However, this is slowly changing as several species of cursorial spiders have been reported engaging in either herbivory or inhabiting only one, or a handful of related plant species. In this review paper, we focus on web-building spiders on which very little information is available. We only find well-documented evidence from studies of host plant specificity in orb spiders in the genus Eustala, which are associated with specific species of swollen thorn acacias. We review what little is known of this group in the context of spider-plant interactions generally, and focus on how these interactions are established and maintained while providing suggestions on how spiders may locate and identify specific species of plants. Finally, we suggest ideas for future fruitful research aimed at understanding how web-building spiders find and utilise specific plant hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JA, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Kieran M. Boyd
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | - John D. Styrsky
- Department of Biology, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA 24501, USA
| | - Dumas Gálvez
- Coiba Scientific Station, Panama City 0843-01853, Panama
- Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama City 0824, Panama
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City P.O. Box 0843-03092, Panama
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mammola S, Malumbres-Olarte J, Arabesky V, Barrales-Alcalá DA, Barrion-Dupo AL, Benamú MA, Bird TL, Bogomolova M, Cardoso P, Chatzaki M, Cheng RC, Chu TA, Classen-Rodríguez LM, Čupić I, Dhiya'ulhaq NU, Drapeau Picard AP, El-Hennawy HK, Elverici M, Fukushima CS, Ganem Z, Gavish-Regev E, Gonnye NT, Hacala A, Haddad CR, Hesselberg T, Tian Ho TA, Into T, Isaia M, Jayaraman D, Karuaera N, Khalap R, Khalap K, Kim D, Korhonen T, Kralj-Fišer S, Land H, Lin SW, Loboda S, Lowe E, Lubin Y, Martínez A, Mbo Z, Miličić M, Kioko GM, Nanni V, Norma-Rashid Y, Nwankwo D, Painting CJ, Pang A, Pantini P, Pavlek M, Pearce R, Petcharad B, Pétillon J, Raberahona OC, Russo P, Saarinen JA, Segura-Hernández L, Sentenská L, Uhl G, Walker L, Warui CM, Wiśniewski K, Zamani A, Chuang A, Scott C. The global spread of misinformation on spiders. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R871-R873. [PMID: 35998593 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the internet era, the digital architecture that keeps us connected and informed may also amplify the spread of misinformation. This problem is gaining global attention, as evidence accumulates that misinformation may interfere with democratic processes and undermine collective responses to environmental and health crises1,2. In an increasingly polluted information ecosystem, understanding the factors underlying the generation and spread of misinformation is becoming a pressing scientific and societal challenge3. Here, we studied the global spread of (mis-)information on spiders using a high-resolution global database of online newspaper articles on spider-human interactions, covering stories of spider-human encounters and biting events published from 2010-20204. We found that 47% of articles contained errors and 43% were sensationalist. Moreover, we show that the flow of spider-related news occurs within a highly interconnected global network and provide evidence that sensationalism is a key factor underlying the spread of misinformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mammola
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania Pallanza, Italy.
| | - Jagoba Malumbres-Olarte
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| | - Valeria Arabesky
- Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel; Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel
| | | | - Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo
- Environmental Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences and Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines Los Banos, 4031, Philippines
| | - Marco Antonio Benamú
- Centro Universitario de Rivera, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Lab. Ecotoxicología de Artrópodos Terrestres, Centro Univeritario de Rivera, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas clemente Estable (IIBCE), Uruguay
| | - Tharina L Bird
- Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, PO Box 4197, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | | | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria Chatzaki
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
| | - Ren-Chung Cheng
- Department of Life sciences, National Chung Hsing University, No.145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 402204, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Ai Chu
- Department of Life sciences, National Chung Hsing University, No.145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 402204, Taiwan
| | - Leticia M Classen-Rodríguez
- Department of Biology, Macelwane Hall, 3507 Laclede Avenue, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Iva Čupić
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Rooseveltov trg 6, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | | | - Mert Elverici
- Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Biology Department, 24002, Erzincan, Turkey
| | - Caroline S Fukushima
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zeana Ganem
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel; The Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Efrat Gavish-Regev
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Naledi T Gonnye
- Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Axel Hacala
- UMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes, 263 Avenue du Gal Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France
| | - Charles R Haddad
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | | | - Tammy Ai Tian Ho
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Thanakorn Into
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Marco Isaia
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina, 13 - 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Dharmaraj Jayaraman
- PG and Research Department of Zoology, Sri Vijay Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Nallampalli, Dharmapuri-636807, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | | | - Kiran Khalap
- 5A Sagar Sangeet, SBS Marg, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Dongyoung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Tuuli Korhonen
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simona Kralj-Fišer
- Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Heidi Land
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, General and Systematic Zoology, Loitzerstrasse 26, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Shou-Wang Lin
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, General and Systematic Zoology, Loitzerstrasse 26, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sarah Loboda
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21 111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Lowe
- Department of Biological Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2122, Australia
| | - Yael Lubin
- Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel; Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, University in Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Alejandro Martínez
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zingisile Mbo
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Marija Miličić
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Ðind-ića 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Grace Mwende Kioko
- National Museums of Kenya, Museum Hill, P.O. BOX 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Veronica Nanni
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina, 13 - 10123 Torino, Italy; School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Science, Technology and Society Department, 25100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Yusoff Norma-Rashid
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Daniel Nwankwo
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Christina J Painting
- Te Aka Ma(-)tuatua School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | | | - Paolo Pantini
- Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali "E. Caffi", Piazza Cittadella, 10, I-24129 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Martina Pavlek
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Rooseveltov trg 6, Zagreb, Croatia; Rud(-)er Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Richard Pearce
- Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire College University Centre, Warwickshire, UK
| | - Booppa Petcharad
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Julien Pétillon
- UMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes, 263 Avenue du Gal Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France; Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | | | - Philip Russo
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Joni A Saarinen
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Lenka Sentenská
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, General and Systematic Zoology, Loitzerstrasse 26, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Leilani Walker
- School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; Te Pu-naha Matatini, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles M Warui
- Murang'a University of Technology, Department of Physical & Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 75-10200, Murang'a, Kenya
| | - Konrad Wiśniewski
- Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Arciszewskiego 22a, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland
| | - Alireza Zamani
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, FI-20014, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Angela Chuang
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Entomology and Nematology, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, Florida, USA
| | - Catherine Scott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21 111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Davies MS, Hesselberg T. The Use of Tuning Forks for Studying Behavioural Responses in Orb Web Spiders. Insects 2022; 13:insects13040370. [PMID: 35447812 PMCID: PMC9027978 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Spiders are common predators found in almost every type of environment, and are used as model organisms in studies ranging from communication and signalling to biochemical studies on their silk. Orb spiders are particularly interesting, as their web provides a cost-effective way to obtain information on their foraging behaviour. However, studies on short-term behaviours including prey capture and escape behaviours are rare and usually take place in artificial settings, such as laboratories. In this study, we tested a simple methodology using tuning forks that can be used consistently and reliably in the field. The two tuning forks are capable of producing attack (440 Hz) and escape (256 Hz) responses from the spiders. We also used a metal wire as a mechanical stimulus for comparison, which as predicted, was less reliable. We demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology by quantitatively investigating how the size of the spider and the size of its web affect predatory and escape response rates in the autumn spider, although no significant effects of either were found. However, our results confirm the ease by which this simple method can be used to conduct behavioural studies of orb spiders in the wild. Abstract Spiders and their webs are often used as model organisms to study a wide range of behaviours. However, these behavioural studies are often carried out in the laboratory, and the few field studies usually result in large amounts of video footage and subsequent labour-intensive data analysis. Thus, we aimed to devise a cost- and time-effective method for studying the behaviour of spiders in the field, using the now almost forgotten method of stimulating webs with tuning forks. Our study looked at the viability of using 256 Hz and 440 Hz tuning forks to stimulate, anti-predatory and predatory responses in the orb web spider Metellina segmentata, respectively. To assess the consistency of the behaviours produced, we compared these to direct mechanical stimulation with a metal wire. The results suggest that the tuning forks produce relatively consistent behaviours within and between two years in contrast to the metal wire. We furthermore found no significant effects of spider length or web area on spider reaction times. However, we found significant differences in reaction times between escape and prey capture behaviours, and between tuning forks and the wire. Thus, we demonstrated the potential of tuning forks to rapidly generate quantitative data in a field setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mollie S. Davies
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mammola S, Lunghi E, Bilandžija H, Cardoso P, Grimm V, Schmidt SI, Hesselberg T, Martínez A. Collecting eco-evolutionary data in the dark: Impediments to subterranean research and how to overcome them. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5911-5926. [PMID: 34141192 PMCID: PMC8207145 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Caves and other subterranean habitats fulfill the requirements of experimental model systems to address general questions in ecology and evolution. Yet, the harsh working conditions of these environments and the uniqueness of the subterranean organisms have challenged most attempts to pursuit standardized research.Two main obstacles have synergistically hampered previous attempts. First, there is a habitat impediment related to the objective difficulties of exploring subterranean habitats and our inability to access the network of fissures that represents the elective habitat for the so-called "cave species." Second, there is a biological impediment illustrated by the rarity of most subterranean species and their low physiological tolerance, often limiting sample size and complicating laboratory experiments.We explore the advantages and disadvantages of four general experimental setups (in situ, quasi in situ, ex situ, and in silico) in the light of habitat and biological impediments. We also discuss the potential of indirect approaches to research. Furthermore, using bibliometric data, we provide a quantitative overview of the model organisms that scientists have exploited in the study of subterranean life.Our over-arching goal is to promote caves as model systems where one can perform standardized scientific research. This is important not only to achieve an in-depth understanding of the functioning of subterranean ecosystems but also to fully exploit their long-discussed potential in addressing general scientific questions with implications beyond the boundaries of this discipline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mammola
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe)Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Dark‐MEG: Molecular Ecology GroupWater Research Institute (IRSA)National Research Council (CNR)VerbaniaItaly
| | - Enrico Lunghi
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and EvolutionInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze“La Specola”FirenzeItaly
| | - Helena Bilandžija
- Department of Molecular BiologyRudjer Boskovic InstituteZagrebCroatia
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe)Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Volker Grimm
- Department of Ecological ModellingHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZLeipzigGermany
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Susanne I. Schmidt
- Institute of HydrobiologyBiology Centre CASČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | | | - Alejandro Martínez
- Dark‐MEG: Molecular Ecology GroupWater Research Institute (IRSA)National Research Council (CNR)VerbaniaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chowdhury S, Shahriar SA, Böhm M, Jain A, Aich U, Zalucki MP, Hesselberg T, Morelli F, Benedetti Y, Persson AS, Roy DK, Rahman S, Ahmed S, Fuller RA. Urban green spaces in Dhaka, Bangladesh, harbour nearly half the country’s butterfly diversity. Journal of Urban Ecology 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cities currently harbour more than half of the world’s human population and continued urban expansion replaces natural landscapes and increases habitat fragmentation. The impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity have been extensively studied in some parts of the world, but there is limited information from South Asia, despite the rapid expansion of cities in the region. Here, we present the results of monthly surveys of butterflies in three urban parks in Dhaka city, Bangladesh, over a 3-year period (January 2014 to December 2016). We recorded 45% (137 of the 305 species) of the country’s butterfly richness, and 40% of the species detected are listed as nationally threatened. However, butterfly species richness declined rapidly in the three study areas over the 3-year period, and the decline appeared to be more severe among threatened species. We developed linear mixed effect models to assess the relationship between climatic variables and butterfly species richness. Overall, species richness was positively associated with maximum temperature and negatively with mean relative humidity and saturation deficit. Our results demonstrate the importance of urban green spaces for nationally threatened butterflies. With rapidly declining urban green spaces in Dhaka and other South Asian cities, we are likely to lose refuges for threatened fauna. There is an urgent need to understand urban biodiversity dynamics in the region, and for proactive management of urban green spaces to protect butterflies in South Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shawan Chowdhury
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shihab A Shahriar
- Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Monika Böhm
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Anuj Jain
- BirdLife International (Asia), 354 Tanglin Road, #01-16/17, Tanglin International Centre, Singapore, 247672, Singapore
- Nature Society (Singapore), 510 Geylang Road, Singapore 389466, Singapore
| | - Upama Aich
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia
| | - Myron P Zalucki
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Federico Morelli
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Community Ecology & Conservation, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Yanina Benedetti
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Community Ecology & Conservation, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Anna S Persson
- Center for Environment and Climate Research (CEC), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Deponkor K Roy
- Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Saima Rahman
- Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Sultan Ahmed
- Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G. E. Gomes
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise ID USA
| | | | - Jesse R. Barber
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise ID USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mammola S, Hesselberg T, Lunghi E. A trade‐off between latitude and elevation contributes to explain range segregation of broadly distributed cave‐dwelling spiders. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mammola
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe) Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS) University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) Water Research Institute (IRSA) National Research Council (CNR) Verbania Pallanza Italy
| | | | - Enrico Lunghi
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze Sezione di Zoologia "La Specola" Firenze Italy
- Natural Oasis Prato Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Richards MA, Hesselberg T. No edge effect on quantity of prey captured in the forest-dwelling tetragnathid orb spider Metellina mengei. ANIM BIOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1163/15707563-bja10050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Among the most damaging anthropogenic effects for ecosystems is habitat fragmentation. One of its consequences is the creation of edges, which results in more exposed habitats that have different ecological and behavioural effects on the different species that live there. However, the nature and magnitude of these effects remain unknown for most of the animals and plants inhabiting these edge habitats. This study intends to determine if quantity of prey capture by a woodland population of the orb spider Metellina mengei is subjected to edge effects. By observing the prey capture of this species at edge and interior locations of a woodland, we found no significant effects of edge on the number of prey captured or the average prey length. Instead, we found that inclination of the web, but not web area or other measured web parameters, had a significant effect on prey capture. Therefore, this species of spider may be minimally affected by its location within the woodland and more affected by its surrounding microhabitat, which raises the possibility that non-specialised invertebrate predators could be less impacted by fragmentation than generally recognised.
Collapse
|
11
|
Cooke J, Araya Y, Bacon KL, Bagniewska JM, Batty LC, Bishop TR, Burns M, Charalambous M, Daversa DR, Dougherty LR, Dyson M, Fisher AM, Forman D, Garcia C, Harney E, Hesselberg T, John EA, Knell RJ, Maseyk K, Mauchline AL, Peacock J, Pernetta AP, Pritchard J, Sutherland WJ, Thomas RL, Tigar B, Wheeler P, White RL, Worsfold NT, Lewis Z. Teaching and learning in ecology: a horizon scan of emerging challenges and solutions. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cooke
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open Univ. UK
| | - Yoseph Araya
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open Univ. UK
| | - Karen L. Bacon
- School of Geography, Univ. of Leeds UK
- Botany and Plant Sciences, Martin Ryan Inst., National Univ. of Ireland Galway Ireland
| | | | - Lesley C. Batty
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Tom R. Bishop
- Dept of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Dept of Zoology and Entomology, Univ. of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - Moya Burns
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Univ. of Leicester UK
| | | | | | | | - Miranda Dyson
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open Univ. UK
| | - Adam M. Fisher
- Inst. of Integrative Biology, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - Dan Forman
- Dept of Biosciences, Swansea Univ. Swansea UK
| | - Cristina Garcia
- Inst. of Integrative Biology, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - Ewan Harney
- Inst. of Integrative Biology, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | | | | | - Robert J. Knell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary Univ. of London UK
| | - Kadmiel Maseyk
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open Univ. UK
| | - Alice L. Mauchline
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, Univ. of Reading Reading UK
| | | | - Angelo P. Pernetta
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Univ. of Brighton UK
| | | | | | - Rebecca L. Thomas
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway Univ. of London Egham UK
| | - Barbara Tigar
- School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, Univ. of Central Lancashire Preston UK
| | - Philip Wheeler
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open Univ. UK
| | - Rachel L. White
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Univ. of Brighton UK
| | - Nicholas T. Worsfold
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Zenobia Lewis
- School of Life Sciences, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mazebedi R, Hesselberg T. A preliminary survey of the abundance, diversity and distribution of terrestrial macroinvertebrates of Gcwihaba cave, northwest Botswana. SB 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.35.51445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inventories of cave species and in-depth understanding of cave ecosystems are essential for informing conservation approaches for the unique and vulnerable cave fauna. Gcwihaba cave is the largest cave in Botswana but its ecology is poorly understood. This study set out to provide the first quantitative survey of the cave’s terrestrial macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were collected from sample sites at 10 m intervals into the cave from the cave entrance. At each site, macroinvertebrates on the cave floor were collected by quadrat sampling while macroinvertebrate from cave walls were collected by visual opportunistic searches. Moisture content, pH and electrical conductivity of the cave floor substrate were measured at each site to examine the influence of the floor properties on the distribution of macroinvertebrates on the cave floor. Twelve species in 10 families and 8 orders of terrestrial macroinvertebrates were collected. The occurrence of taxa varied across the sites, with most taxa occurring in the light and twilight sectors of the cave (within 30 m), whereas the dark sector (beyond 30 m) was dominated by cave cockroaches (Gyna sp.). The abundance of the cave cockroaches, darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae, Tenebrio sp.) and cave wasps (Sphecidae) positively correlated with floor substrate of high moisture content and high electrical conductivity, which became increasingly common with distance into the cave. The abundance of other taxa from the cave floor positively correlated with a floor substrate of high pH and low moisture, which was common near the cave entrance.
Collapse
|
13
|
da Silva GDP, Hesselberg T. A Review of the Use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), to Compost Organic Waste in Tropical Regions. Neotrop Entomol 2020; 49:151-162. [PMID: 31701478 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-019-00719-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hermetia illucens (L., 1758) is a fly of the family Stratiomyidae frequently found in tropical zones. Adult flies are not considered pathogens as they are incapable of biting and feeding thus not transmitting sicknesses to humans. The larval stage feeds off organic matter and offer a rich protein source naturally consumed by animals. The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae to treat organic waste is growing around the world. This is especially true for tropical low- and middle-income countries as their favourable climate conditions mean that the BSF technology has significant potential to solve existing problems associated with a poorly developed sanitation infrastructure. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility, benefits and limitations of implementing BSF projects in tropical regions using Belem, in Brazil, as a case study. Black soldier fly prepupae, arising from the waste reduction process, can be used as animal feed. It therefore offers potential to promote regional development, create jobs and dispose of organic waste locally. Legal requirements as outlined in the Brazilian National Policy on Waste offer further incentives. However, more studies are needed to compare BSF waste reduction efficiency and prepupae yield to other technologies such as traditional composting and vermiculture, which can inform the decision-making for implementation of organic waste treatment facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G D P da Silva
- Energy Planning Program, Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering at the Federal Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hesselberg T, Simonsen D. A comparison of morphology and web geometry between hypogean and epigean species of Metellina orb spiders (family Tetragnathidae). SB 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.32.36222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the behaviour of subterranean animals are rare, mainly due to the problems with collecting data in these inaccessible habitats. Web-building cave spiders, however, leave a semi-permanent record of their foraging behaviour, which can relatively easily be recorded. In this study, we compare size, leg lengths and web characteristics between hypogean populations of Metellina merianae with its close wood-inhabiting relative M. mengei. We confirm previous observations that M. merianae does not show any obvious morphological and behavioural adaptions to a subterranean life-style, although individuals of the cave species were significantly larger and had webs with relatively fewer radii and capture spiral turns than M. mengei. We were, however, not able to determine if these findings indicate a transition towards behavioural adaptation to caves or if they are a result of behavioural flexibility in response to the different humidity and temperature between caves and woodland. Finally, we did not find any effect of cave characteristics on either the number of radii or the area of the M. merianae web.
Collapse
|
15
|
Hesselberg T, Simonsen D. A comparison of morphology and web geometry between hypogean and epigean species of Metellina orb spiders (family Tetragnathidae). SB 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.31.36222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on the behaviour of subterranean animals are rare, mainly due to the problems with collecting data in these inaccessible habitats. Web-building cave spiders, however, leave a semi-permanent record of their foraging behaviour, which can relatively easily be recorded. In this study, we compare size, leg lengths and web characteristics between hypogean populations of Metellina merianae with its close wood-inhabiting relative M. mengei. We confirm previous observations that M. merianae does not show any obvious morphological and behavioural adaptions to a subterranean life-style, although individuals of the cave species were significantly larger and had webs with relatively fewer radii and capture spiral turns than M. mengei. We were, however, not able to determine if these findings indicate a transition towards behavioural adaptation to caves or if they are a result of behavioural flexibility in response to the different humidity and temperature between caves and woodland. Finally, we did not find any effect of cave characteristics on either the number of radii or the area of the M. merianae web.
Collapse
|
16
|
Njovu HK, Kisingo AW, Hesselberg T, Eustace A. The spatial and temporal distribution of mammal roadkills in the Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor in Tanzania. Afr J Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abraham Eustace
- Zonal Anti‐Poaching Unit of Serengeti Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) Bunda, Mara Tanzania
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Abstract
Interest for subterranean biology has risen sharply in recent years due to the simplicity of the cave environment. However, most studies have focussed on morphology with few studies looking at behaviour. The cave orb spiders show some unique behavioural adaptations compared to other orb spiders, including rudimentary orb webs, off-web foraging and a complex life cycle with a surface phase. Here, we compare these behavioural adaptations in the European Meta menardi and Meta bourneti to similar behaviours in surface-dwelling orb spiders. We find that current data suggest (1) an extreme reduction in the number of frame threads, (2) evidence of capturing non-flying prey, but not necessarily evidence for off-web foraging and (3) dispersal through a surface-dwelling life stage, but with data lacking on the role of ballooning and their return to caves. We conclude that Meta spiders have potential as model organisms for studies on behavioural adaptations and flexibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- aDepartment of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
- bDepartment for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK
- cDepartment of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, 07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Daniel Simonsen
- aDepartment of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Carlos Juan
- cDepartment of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, 07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- dIMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Esporles, 07190, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Butt A, Rehman K, Khan MX, Hesselberg T. Bioaccumulation of cadmium, lead, and zinc in agriculture-based insect food chains. Environ Monit Assess 2018; 190:698. [PMID: 30397822 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-7051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Globally, the metal concentration in soil is increasing due to different anthropogenic and geogenic factors. These metals are taken up by plants and further transferred in the food chain through different routes. The present study was designed to assess the transfer and bioaccumulation of the heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in food chains from soil to berseem plants (Triofolium alexandrinum), to insect herbivores (the grasshopper Ailopus thalassinus and the aphid Sitobion avenae) and to an insect carnivore (the ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata). The soil of studied berseem fields were slightly alkaline, silty loam in texture and moderate in organic matter. In soil, the concentration of Zn and Pb were under permissible level while Cd was above the permissible level. The accumulation of metals in T. alexandrinum were found in the order Zn > Cd > Pb. Grasshoppers showed higher accumulation of Pb than of Cd and Zn. In the soil-berseem-aphid-beetle food chain, metal enrichment was recorded. However, aphids did not show bioaccumulation for Cd. Metals accumulation in beetles showed that translocation of Zn, Cd, and Pb was taking place in the third trophic level. Our study highlights the mobility of metals in insect food chains and showed that insect feeding style greatly influenced the bioaccumulation. However, different metals showed variable bioaccumulation rates depending on their toxicity and retention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abida Butt
- Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Kanwal Rehman
- Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tew N, Hesselberg T. The Effect of Wind Exposure on the Web Characteristics of a Tetragnathid Orb Spider. J Insect Behav 2017; 30:273-286. [PMID: 28680193 PMCID: PMC5488162 DOI: 10.1007/s10905-017-9618-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies on spiders in their natural habitats are necessary for determining the full range of plasticity in their web-building behaviour. Plasticity in web design is hypothesised to be important for spiders building in habitats where environmental conditions cause considerable web damage. Here we compared web characteristics of the orb spider Metellina mengei (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) in two different forest habitats differing in their wind exposure. We found a notable lack of differences in web geometry, orientation and inclination between webs built along an exposed forest edge and those built inside the forest, despite marked differences in wind speed. This suggests that M. mengei did not exhibit web-building plasticity in response to wind in the field, contrasting with the findings of laboratory studies on other species of orb spiders. Instead, differences in prey capture and wind damage trade-offs between habitats may provide an explanation for our results, indicating that different species employ different strategies to cope with environmental constraints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Tew
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, SL5 7PY UK
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
|
21
|
Abstract
Silk cocoons, constructed by silkmoths (Lepidoptera), are protective structural composites. Some cocoons appear to have evolved towards structural and material optimisation in order to sustain impact strikes from predators and hinder parasite ingress. This study investigates the protective properties of silk cocoons with different morphologies by evaluating their impact resistance and damage tolerance. Finite element analysis was used to analyse empirical observations of the quasi-static impact response of the silk cocoons, and to evaluate the separate benefits of the structures and materials through the deformation and damage mechanism. We use design principles from composite engineering in order to understand the structure-property-function relationship of silkworm cocoons. Understanding the highly evolved survival strategies of the organisms building natural cocoons will hopefully lead to inspiration that in turn could lead to improved composite design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fujia Chen
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Eberhard WG, Hesselberg T. Cues that Spiders (Araneae: Araneidae, Tetragnathidae) Use to Build Orbs: Lapses in Attention to One Set of Cues because of Dissonance with Others? Ethology 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2012.02048.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
23
|
Abstract
Summary
Detailed information on web geometry and the material properties of the various silks used elucidates the function of the web's different structures. In this study we investigated the non-sticky spiral in Nephila edulis webs, which in this species is not removed during web-building. This permanent non-sticky spiral shows several modifications compared to other, i.e. temporary non-sticky spirals; it is zigzag shaped and wrapped around the radial thread at the elongated junctions. Material properties of silk in the non-sticky spiral and other scaffolding structures (i.e. radii, frame and anchor threads) were comparable. However, the fibre diameters differed with the non-sticky spiral threads being significantly smaller. We used the measured data in a finite element (FE) model of the non-sticky spiral in a segment of the web. The FE analysis suggested that the observed Zigzag index resulted from the application of very high pre-stresses to the outer turns of the non-sticky spiral. However, final pre-stresses in the non-sticky spiral after reorganisation were down to 300 MPa or 1.5-2 times the stress in the radii, which is probably closer to the stress applied by the spider during web-building.
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Abstract
SUMMARYExperience plays a key role in the acquisition of complex motor skills in running and flight of many vertebrates. To evaluate the significance of previous experience for the efficiency of motor behaviour in an insect, we investigated the flight behaviour of the fruit fly Drosophila. We reared flies in chambers in which the animals could freely walk and extend their wings, but could not gain any flight experience. These naive animals were compared with control flies under both open- and closed-loop tethered flight conditions in a flight simulator as well as in a free-flight arena. The data suggest that the overall flight behaviour in Drosophila seems to be predetermined because both groups exhibited similar mean stroke amplitude and stroke frequency, similar open-loop responses to visual stimulation and the immediate ability to track visual objects under closed-loop feedback conditions. In short free flight bouts, peak saccadic turning rate, angular acceleration, peak horizontal speed and flight altitude were also similar in naive and control flies. However, we found significant changes in other key parameters in naive animals such as a reduction in mean horizontal speed(–23%) and subtle changes in mean turning rate (–48%). Naive flies produced 25% less yaw torque-equivalent stroke amplitudes than the controls in response to a visual stripe rotating in open loop around the tethered animal,potentially suggesting a flight-dependent adaptation of the visuo-motor gain in the control group. This change ceased after the animals experienced visual closed-loop feedback. During closed-loop flight conditions, naive flies had 53% larger differences in left and right stroke amplitude when fixating a visual object, thus steering control was less precise. We discuss two alternative hypotheses to explain our results: the `neuronal experience'hypothesis, suggesting that there are some elements of learning and fine-tuning involved during the first flight experiences in Drosophila and the `muscular exercise' hypothesis. Our experiments support the first hypothesis because maximum locomotor capacity seems not to be significantly impaired in the naive group. Although this study primarily confirms the genetic pre-disposition for flight in Drosophila,previous experience may apparently adjust locomotor fine control and aerial performance, although this effect seems to be small compared with vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- Biofuture Research Group, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Ulm,Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Fritz-Olaf Lehmann
- Biofuture Research Group, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Ulm,Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
SUMMARYTurning behaviour in the fruit fly Drosophila depends on several factors including not only feedback from sensory organs and muscular control of wing motion, but also the mass moments of inertia and the frictional damping coefficient of the rotating body. In the present study we evaluate the significance of body friction for yaw turning and thus the limits of visually mediated flight control in Drosophila, by scoring tethered flies flying in a flight simulator on their ability to visually compensate a bias on a moving object and a visual background panorama at different simulated frictional dampings. We estimated the fly's natural damping coefficient from a numerical aerodynamic model based on both friction on the body and the flapping wings during saccadic turning. The model predicts a coefficient of 54×10–12 Nm s, which is more than 100-times larger than the value estimated from a previous study on the body alone. Our estimate suggests that friction plays a larger role for yaw turning in Drosophila than moments of inertia. The simulator experiments showed that visual performance of the fruit fly collapses near the physical conditions estimated for freely flying animals, which is consistent with the suggested role of the halteres for flight stabilization. However, kinematic analyses indicate that the measured loss of flight control might be due predominantly to the limited fine control in the fly's steering muscles below a threshold of 1–2° stroke amplitude, rather than resulting from the limits of visual motion detection by the fly's compound eyes. We discuss the impact of these results and suggest that the elevated frictional coefficient permits freely flying fruit flies to passively terminate rotational body movements without producing counter-torque during the second half of the saccadic turning manoeuvre.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- Biofuture Research Group, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Fritz-Olaf Lehmann
- Biofuture Research Group, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hesselberg T, Lehmann F. Visuo-motor learning during orientation flight of the fruit fly Drosophila. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.01.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
28
|
Abstract
Biomimetics is a rapidly growing field both as an academic and as an applied discipline. This paper gives a short introduction to the current status of the discipline before it describes three approaches to biomimetics: the mechanism-driven, which is based on the study of a specific mechanism; the focused organism-driven, which is based on the study of one function in a model organism; and the integrative organism-driven approach, where multiple functions of a model organism provide inspiration. The first two are established approaches and include many modern studies and the famous biomimetic discoveries of Velcro and the Lotus-Effect, whereas the last approach is not yet well recognized. The advantages of the integrative organism-driven approach are discussed using the ragworms as a case study. A morphological and locomotory study of these marine polychaetes reveals their biomimetic potential, which includes using their ability to move in slippery substrates as inspiration for novel endoscopes, using their compound setae as models for passive friction structures and using their three gaits, slow crawling, fast crawling, and swimming as well as their rapid burrowing technique to provide inspiration for the design of displacement pumps and multifunctional robots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- Centre for Biomimetic and Natural Technologies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, BA2 6PG, Bath, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hesselberg T, Vollrath F. The effects of neurotoxins on web-geometry and web-building behaviour in Araneus diadematus Cl. Physiol Behav 2005; 82:519-29. [PMID: 15276818 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2003] [Revised: 04/20/2004] [Accepted: 04/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The process of orb weaving and the resultant orb web constitute a good example of a complex behavioural pattern that is still governed by a relatively simple set of rules. We used the orb spider Araneus diadematus as a model organism to study the effect of the three neurotoxins (scopolamine, amphetamine, and caffeine) on the spider's behaviour. Scopolamine was given at two concentrations, with the lower one showing no effects but the higher one reducing web-building frequency; there also appeared to be a weak effect on web geometry. Amphetamine and caffeine, on the other hand, both resulted in significant changes in both building frequency and web geometry, compared to the controls. Amphetamine webs retained their size but showed an increase in spiral spacing and radius irregularity, as well as a decrease in building efficiency. Caffeine led to a general decrease in size and a slight increase in spiral spacing, as well as radius irregularity. Furthermore, caffeine caused webs to be rounder. Our observations suggest that these neurotoxins disturb different parts of the web-building programme presumably by affecting different actions in the spider's CNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Zoology, Universitetsparken B135, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | | |
Collapse
|