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Khait I, Lewin-Epstein O, Sharon R, Saban K, Goldstein R, Anikster Y, Zeron Y, Agassy C, Nizan S, Sharabi G, Perelman R, Boonman A, Sade N, Yovel Y, Hadany L. Sounds emitted by plants under stress are airborne and informative. Cell 2023; 186:1328-1336.e10. [PMID: 37001499 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Stressed plants show altered phenotypes, including changes in color, smell, and shape. Yet, airborne sounds emitted by stressed plants have not been investigated before. Here we show that stressed plants emit airborne sounds that can be recorded from a distance and classified. We recorded ultrasonic sounds emitted by tomato and tobacco plants inside an acoustic chamber, and in a greenhouse, while monitoring the plant's physiological parameters. We developed machine learning models that succeeded in identifying the condition of the plants, including dehydration level and injury, based solely on the emitted sounds. These informative sounds may also be detectable by other organisms. This work opens avenues for understanding plants and their interactions with the environment and may have significant impact on agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzhak Khait
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ohad Lewin-Epstein
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Raz Sharon
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Kfir Saban
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Revital Goldstein
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yehuda Anikster
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yarden Zeron
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Chen Agassy
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shaked Nizan
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Gayl Sharabi
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ran Perelman
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Arjan Boonman
- School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Sade
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; The Institute of Cereal Crop Improvement, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Lilach Hadany
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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2
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Owens ACS, Van den Broeck M, De Cock R, Lewis SM. Behavioral responses of bioluminescent fireflies to artificial light at night. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.946640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescent insects have been the subject of scientific interest and popular wonder for millennia. But in the 21st century, the fireflies, click beetles, and cave glow-worms that brighten our nights are threatened by an unprecedented competitor: anthropogenic light pollution. Artificial lights can obscure the light-based signals on which these and other bioluminescent organisms rely to court mates, deter predators, and attract prey. In the following review we summarize a recent influx of research into the behavioral consequences of artificial light at night for firefly beetles (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), which we organize into four distinct courtship signaling systems. We conclude by highlighting several opportunities for further research to advance this emerging field and by offering a set of up-to-date lighting recommendations that can help land managers and other stakeholders balance public safety and ecological sustainability.
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3
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Powell GS, Saxton NA, Pacheco YM, Stanger-Hall KF, Martin GJ, Kusy D, Felipe Lima Da Silveira L, Bocak L, Branham MA, Bybee SM. Beetle bioluminescence outshines extant aerial predators. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220821. [PMID: 35855602 PMCID: PMC9297012 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We understand very little about the timing and origins of bioluminescence, particularly as a predator avoidance strategy. Understanding the timing of its origins, however, can help elucidate the evolution of this ecologically important signal. Using fireflies, a prevalent bioluminescent group where bioluminescence primarily functions as aposematic and sexual signals, we explore the origins of this signal in the context of their potential predators. Divergence time estimations were performed using genomic-scale datasets providing a robust estimate for the origin of firefly bioluminescence as both a terrestrial and as an aerial signal. Our results recover the origin of terrestrial beetle bioluminescence at 141.17 (122.63-161.17) Ma and firefly aerial bioluminescence at 133.18 (117.86-152.47) Ma using a large dataset focused on Lampyridae; and terrestrial bioluminescence at 148.03 (130.12-166.80) Ma, with the age of aerial bioluminescence at 104.97 (99.00-120.90) Ma using a complementary Elateroidea dataset. These ages pre-date the origins of all known extant aerial predators (i.e. bats and birds) and support much older terrestrial predators (assassin bugs, frogs, ground beetles, lizards, snakes, hunting spiders and harvestmen) as the drivers of terrestrial bioluminescence in beetles. These ages also support the hypothesis that sexual signalling was probably the original function of this signal in aerial fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth S. Powell
- Department of Biology and Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Natalie A. Saxton
- Research and Collections Division, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA,Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Yelena M. Pacheco
- Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, 4510 Miller Plant Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall
- Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, 4510 Miller Plant Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Gavin J. Martin
- School of Math and Sciences, Laramie County Community College, 1400 E. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY 82007, USA
| | - Dominik Kusy
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Molecular Evolution, Czech Advanced Technology Research Institute (CRH), Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, Olomouc 783 71, Czech Republic
| | - Luiz Felipe Lima Da Silveira
- Biology Department, Western Carolina University, 206 Stillwell Building, 1 University Dr., Cullowhee, NC 2723, USA
| | - Ladislav Bocak
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Molecular Evolution, Czech Advanced Technology Research Institute (CRH), Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, Olomouc 783 71, Czech Republic
| | - Marc A. Branham
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Seth M. Bybee
- Department of Biology and Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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Anti-bat ultrasound production in moths is globally and phylogenetically widespread. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117485119. [PMID: 35704762 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117485119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Warning signals are well known in the visual system, but rare in other modalities. Some moths produce ultrasonic sounds to warn bats of noxious taste or to mimic unpalatable models. Here, we report results from a long-term study across the globe, assaying moth response to playback of bat echolocation. We tested 252 genera, spanning most families of large-bodied moths, and document anti-bat ultrasound production in 52 genera, with eight subfamily origins described. Based on acoustic analysis of ultrasonic emissions and palatability experiments with bats, it seems that acoustic warning and mimicry are the raison d'être for sound production in most moths. However, some moths use high-duty-cycle ultrasound capable of jamming bat sonar. In fact, we find preliminary evidence of independent origins of sonar jamming in at least six subfamilies. Palatability data indicate that jamming and warning are not mutually exclusive strategies. To explore the possible organization of anti-bat warning sounds into acoustic mimicry rings, we intensively studied a community of moths in Ecuador and, using machine-learning approaches, found five distinct acoustic clusters. While these data represent an early understanding of acoustic aposematism and mimicry across this megadiverse insect order, it is likely that ultrasonically signaling moths comprise one of the largest mimicry complexes on earth.
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Berger A, Petschenka G, Degenkolb T, Geisthardt M, Vilcinskas A. Insect Collections as an Untapped Source of Bioactive Compounds-Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and Cardiotonic Steroids as a Proof of Concept. INSECTS 2021; 12:689. [PMID: 34442254 PMCID: PMC8396437 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural history collections provide an invaluable basis for systematics, ecology, and conservation. Besides being an important source of DNA, museum specimens may also contain a plethora of natural products. Especially, dried insect collections represent a global repository with billions of inventoried vouchers. Due to their vast diversity, insects possess a great variety of defensive compounds, which they either produce autogenously or derive from the environment. Here, we present a case study on fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), which produce bufadienolides as a defense against predators. These toxins belong to the cardiotonic steroids, which are used for the treatment of cardiac diseases and specifically inhibit the animal enzyme Na+/K+-ATPase. Bufadienolides have been reported from only seven out of approximately 2000 described firefly species. Using a non-destructive approach, we screened 72 dry coleopteran specimens for bufadienolides using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS. We found bufadienolides including five novel compounds in 21 species of the subfamily Lampyrinae. The absence of bufadienolides in the phylogenetically related net-winged beetles (Lycidae) and the lampyrid subfamilies Luciolinae and Lamprohizinae indicates a phylogenetic pattern of bufadienolide synthesis. Our results emphasize the value of natural history collections as an archive of chemical information for ecological and evolutionary basic research and as an untapped source for novel bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Berger
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Georg Petschenka
- Department of Applied Entomology, Institute of Phytomedicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Otto-Sander-Strasse 5, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Degenkolb
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.B.); (T.D.)
| | | | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.B.); (T.D.)
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergs-weg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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