1
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Cherif M, Brose U, Hirt MR, Ryser R, Silve V, Albert G, Arnott R, Berti E, Cirtwill A, Dyer A, Gauzens B, Gupta A, Ho HC, Portalier SMJ, Wain D, Wootton K. The environment to the rescue: can physics help predict predator-prey interactions? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38855988 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the factors that determine the occurrence and strength of ecological interactions under specific abiotic and biotic conditions is fundamental since many aspects of ecological community stability and ecosystem functioning depend on patterns of interactions among species. Current approaches to mapping food webs are mostly based on traits, expert knowledge, experiments, and/or statistical inference. However, they do not offer clear mechanisms explaining how trophic interactions are affected by the interplay between organism characteristics and aspects of the physical environment, such as temperature, light intensity or viscosity. Hence, they cannot yet predict accurately how local food webs will respond to anthropogenic pressures, notably to climate change and species invasions. Herein, we propose a framework that synthesises recent developments in food-web theory, integrating body size and metabolism with the physical properties of ecosystems. We advocate for combination of the movement paradigm with a modular definition of the predation sequence, because movement is central to predator-prey interactions, and a generic, modular model is needed to describe all the possible variation in predator-prey interactions. Pending sufficient empirical and theoretical knowledge, our framework will help predict the food-web impacts of well-studied physical factors, such as temperature and oxygen availability, as well as less commonly considered variables such as wind, turbidity or electrical conductivity. An improved predictive capability will facilitate a better understanding of ecosystem responses to a changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Cherif
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Change Research Unit, National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and the Environment, 50 avenue de Verdun, Cestas Cedex, 33612, France
| | - Ulrich Brose
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Myriam R Hirt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Remo Ryser
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Violette Silve
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Change Research Unit, National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and the Environment, 50 avenue de Verdun, Cestas Cedex, 33612, France
| | - Georg Albert
- Department of Forest Nature Conservation, Georg-August-Universität, Büsgenweg 3, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Russell Arnott
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1LR, UK
| | - Emilio Berti
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Alyssa Cirtwill
- Spatial Foodweb Ecology Group, Research Centre for Ecological Change (REC), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4 (Yliopistonkatu 3), Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Alexander Dyer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Benoit Gauzens
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Anhubav Gupta
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Hsi-Cheng Ho
- Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Sébastien M J Portalier
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Ottawa, STEM Complex, room 342, 150 Louis-Pasteur Pvt, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Danielle Wain
- 7 Lakes Alliance, Belgrade Lakes, 137 Main St, Belgrade Lakes, ME, 04918, USA
| | - Kate Wootton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
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2
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England SJ, Robert D. Prey can detect predators via electroreception in air. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322674121. [PMID: 38768327 PMCID: PMC11161757 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322674121] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Predators and prey benefit from detecting sensory cues of each other's presence. As they move through their environment, terrestrial animals accumulate electrostatic charge. Because electric charges exert forces at a distance, a prey animal could conceivably sense electrical forces to detect an approaching predator. Here, we report such a case of a terrestrial animal detecting its predators by electroreception. We show that predatory wasps are charged, thus emit electric fields, and that caterpillars respond to such fields with defensive behaviors. Furthermore, the mechanosensory setae of caterpillars are deflected by these electrostatic forces and are tuned to the wingbeat frequency of their insect predators. This ability unveils a dimension of the sensory interactions between prey and predators and is likely widespread among terrestrial animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam J. England
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
- Department of Evolutionary Morphology, Museum für Naturkunde–Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin10115, Germany
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, BristolBS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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3
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Salvalaio M, Sena G. Long-term root electrotropism reveals habituation and hysteresis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2697-2708. [PMID: 38156361 PMCID: PMC10980514 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Plant roots sense many physical and chemical cues in soil, such as gravity, humidity, light, and chemical gradients, and respond by redirecting their growth toward or away from the source of the stimulus. This process is called tropism. While gravitropism is the tendency to follow the gravitational field downwards, electrotropism is the alignment of growth with external electric fields and the induced ionic currents. Although root tropisms are at the core of their ability to explore large volumes of soil in search of water and nutrients, the molecular and physical mechanisms underlying most of them remain poorly understood. We have previously provided a quantitative characterization of root electrotropism in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) primary roots exposed for 5 h to weak electric fields, showing that auxin asymmetric distribution is not necessary for root electrotropism but that cytokinin biosynthesis is. Here, we extend that study showing that long-term electrotropism is characterized by a complex behavior. We describe overshoot and habituation as key traits of long-term root electrotropism in Arabidopsis and provide quantitative data about the role of past exposures in the response to electric fields (hysteresis). On the molecular side, we show that cytokinin, although necessary for root electrotropism, is not asymmetrically distributed during the bending. Overall, the data presented here represent a step forward toward a better understanding of the complexity of root behavior and provide a quantitative platform for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of electrotropism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Sena
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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4
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Beetz MJ. A perspective on neuroethology: what the past teaches us about the future of neuroethology. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024; 210:325-346. [PMID: 38411712 PMCID: PMC10995053 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-024-01695-5] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
For 100 years, the Journal of Comparative Physiology-A has significantly supported research in the field of neuroethology. The celebration of the journal's centennial is a great time point to appreciate the recent progress in neuroethology and to discuss possible avenues of the field. Animal behavior is the main source of inspiration for neuroethologists. This is illustrated by the huge diversity of investigated behaviors and species. To explain behavior at a mechanistic level, neuroethologists combine neuroscientific approaches with sophisticated behavioral analysis. The rapid technological progress in neuroscience makes neuroethology a highly dynamic and exciting field of research. To summarize the recent scientific progress in neuroethology, I went through all abstracts of the last six International Congresses for Neuroethology (ICNs 2010-2022) and categorized them based on the sensory modalities, experimental model species, and research topics. This highlights the diversity of neuroethology and gives us a perspective on the field's scientific future. At the end, I highlight three research topics that may, among others, influence the future of neuroethology. I hope that sharing my roots may inspire other scientists to follow neuroethological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jerome Beetz
- Zoology II, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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5
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Sakaki S, Ito R, Abe H, Kinoshita M, Hondo E, Iida A. Electric organ discharge from electric eel facilitates DNA transformation into teleost larvae in laboratory conditions. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16596. [PMID: 38077423 PMCID: PMC10702328 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Electric eels (Electrophorus sp.) are known for their ability to produce electric organ discharge (EOD) reaching voltages of up to 860 V. Given that gene transfer via intense electrical pulses is a well-established technique in genetic engineering, we hypothesized that electric eels could potentially function as a gene transfer mechanism in their aquatic environment. Methods To investigate this hypothesis, we immersed zebrafish larvae in water containing DNA encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and exposed them to electric eel's EOD. Results and Discussion Some embryos exhibited a mosaic expression of green fluorescence, in contrast to the control group without electrical stimulation, which showed little distinct fluorescence. This suggests that electric eel EOD has the potential to function as an electroporator for the transfer of DNA into eukaryotic cells. While electric eel EOD is primarily associated with behaviors related to sensing, predation, and defense, it may incidentally serve as a possible mechanism for gene transfer in natural environment. This investigation represents the initial exploration of the uncharted impact of electric eel EOD, but it does not directly establish its significance within the natural environment. Further research is required to understand the ecological implications of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reo Ito
- Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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6
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Ortega-Jimenez VM, Gardner AM, Burton JC. Ticks' attraction to electrically charged hosts. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:806-807. [PMID: 37573176 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding parasites with limited locomotion, known for transmitting multiple pathogens to vertebrates. England et al. suggest that ticks can be easily pulled, via electrostatic induction, toward charged hosts with fluffy coats that are prone to accumulate higher electrostatic potentials. Thus, static electricity may influence ticks' ecology and management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison M Gardner
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Justin C Burton
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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7
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Rands SA, Whitney HM, Hempel de Ibarra N. Multimodal floral recognition by bumblebees. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101086. [PMID: 37468044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Flowers present information to their insect visitors in multiple simultaneous sensory modalities. Research has commonly focussed on information presented in visual and olfactory modalities. Recently, focus has shifted towards additional 'invisible' information, and whether information presented in multiple modalities enhances the interaction between flowers and their visitors. In this review, we highlight work that addresses how multimodality influences behaviour, focussing on work conducted on bumblebees (Bombus spp.), which are often used due to both their learning abilities and their ability to use multiple sensory modes to identify and differentiate between flowers. We review the evidence for bumblebees being able to use humidity, electrical potential, surface texture and temperature as additional modalities, and consider how multimodality enhances their performance. We consider mechanisms, including the cross-modal transfer of learning that occurs when bees are able to transfer patterns learnt in one modality to an additional modality without additional learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Rands
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Heather M Whitney
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Hempel de Ibarra
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom
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8
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Palmer RA, O’Reilly LJ, Carpenter J, Chenchiah IV, Robert D. An analysis of time-varying dynamics in electrically sensitive arthropod hairs to understand real-world electrical sensing. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230177. [PMID: 37553992 PMCID: PMC10410214 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0177] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing evidence of electroreception in terrestrial arthropods, an understanding of receptor level processes is vital to appreciating the capabilities and limits of this sense. Here, we examine the spatio-temporal sensitivity of mechanoreceptive filiform hairs in detecting electrical fields. We first present empirical data, highlighting the time-varying characteristics of biological electrical signals. After which, we explore how electrically sensitive hairs may respond to such stimuli. The main findings are: (i) oscillatory signals (elicited by wingbeats) influence the spatial sensitivity of hairs, unveiling an inextricable spatio-temporal link; (ii) wingbeat direction modulates spatial sensitivity; (iii) electrical wingbeats can be approximated by sinusoidally modulated DC signals; and (iv) for a moving point charge, maximum sensitivity occurs at a faster timescale than a hair's frequency-based tuning. Our results show that electro-mechanical sensory hairs may capture different spatio-temporal information, depending on an object's movement and wingbeat and in comparison with aero-acoustic stimuli. Crucially, we suggest that electrostatic and aero-acoustic signals may provide distinguishable channels of information for arthropods. Given the pervasiveness of electric fields in nature, our results suggest further study to understand electrostatics in the ecology of arthropods and to reveal unknown ecological relationships and novel interactions between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Palmer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Liam J. O’Reilly
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Jacob Carpenter
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Isaac V. Chenchiah
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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9
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Zhang X, Xu XZS. Electroreception: Worms leap to insects for dispersal. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R775-R777. [PMID: 37490866 PMCID: PMC10914292 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Electroreception is employed by some fishes to locate prey or predators. However, why the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans senses electric fields is unclear. A new study shows that electroreception helps these microscopic worms to attach themselves to insects for transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxing Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - X Z Shawn Xu
- Life Sciences Institute University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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10
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England SJ, Lihou K, Robert D. Static electricity passively attracts ticks onto hosts. Curr Biol 2023:S0960-9822(23)00772-8. [PMID: 37392744 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Most terrestrial animals naturally accumulate electrostatic charges, meaning that they will generate electric forces that interact with other charges in their environment, including those on or within other organisms. However, how this naturally occurring static electricity influences the ecology and life history of organisms remains largely unknown.1 Mammals, birds, and reptiles are known to carry appreciable net electrostatic charges, equivalent to surface potentials on the order of hundreds to tens of thousands of volts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Therefore, we hypothesize that their parasites, such as ticks, are passively attracted onto their surfaces by electrostatic forces acting across air gaps. This biophysical mechanism is proposed by us to assist these ectoparasites in making contact with their hosts, increasing their effective "reach" because they are otherwise incapable of jumping. Herein, experimental and theoretical evidence show that the tick Ixodes ricinus (Figure 1A) can close the gap to their hosts using ecologically relevant electric fields. We also find that this electrostatic interaction is not significantly influenced by the polarity of the electric field, revealing that the mechanism of attraction relies upon induction of an electrical polarization within the tick, as opposed to a static charge on its surface. These findings open a new dimension to our understanding of how ticks, and possibly many other terrestrial organisms, find and attach to their hosts or vectors. Furthermore, this discovery may inspire novel solutions for mitigating the notable and often devastating economic, social, and public health impacts of ticks on humans and livestock.8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam J England
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TQ Bristol, UK; Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Katie Lihou
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TQ Bristol, UK
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TQ Bristol, UK
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11
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Chiba T, Okumura E, Nishigami Y, Nakagaki T, Sugi T, Sato K. Caenorhabditis elegans transfers across a gap under an electric field as dispersal behavior. Curr Biol 2023:S0960-9822(23)00674-7. [PMID: 37348502 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.042] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between different animal species are a critical determinant of each species' evolution and range expansion. Chemical, visual, and mechanical interactions have been abundantly reported, but the importance of electric interactions is not well understood. Here, we report the discovery that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans transfers across electric fields to achieve phoretic attachment to insects. First, we found that dauer larvae of C. elegans nictating on a substrate in a Petri dish moved directly to the lid through the air due to the electrostatic force from the lid. To more systematically investigate the transfer behavior, we constructed an assay system with well-controlled electric fields: the worms flew up regardless of whether a positive or negative electric field was applied, suggesting that an induced charge within the worm is related to this transfer. The mean take-off speed is 0.86 m/s, and the worm flies up under an electric field exceeding 200 kV/m. This worm transfer occurs even when the worms form a nictation column composed of up to 100 worms; we term this behavior "multiworm transfer." These observations led us to conclude that C. elegans can transfer and attach to the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, which was charged by rubbing with flower pollen in the lab. The charge on the bumblebee was measured with a coulomb-meter to be 806 pC, which was within the range of bumblebee charges and of the same order of flying insect charges observed in nature, suggesting that electrical interactions occur among different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Chiba
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 8 Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Etsuko Okumura
- Yokkaichi Tech. Department, TEISO TOYOKA CO, LTD 4005-1 Shiohama, Yokkaichi, Mie 510-0863, Japan
| | - Yukinori Nishigami
- Research Center of Mathematics for Social Creativity, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Kita20, Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; Global Station for Soft Matter, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Kita 21 Nishi 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Nakagaki
- Research Center of Mathematics for Social Creativity, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Kita20, Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; Global Station for Soft Matter, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Kita 21 Nishi 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
| | - Takuma Sugi
- Program of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-0046, Japan.
| | - Katsuhiko Sato
- Research Center of Mathematics for Social Creativity, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Kita20, Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; Global Station for Soft Matter, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Kita 21 Nishi 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan.
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12
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Passive electrolocation in terrestrial arthropods: Theoretical modelling of location detection. J Theor Biol 2023; 558:111357. [PMID: 36410450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111357] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The recent discovery that some terrestrial arthropods can detect, use, and learn from weak electrical fields adds a new dimension to our understanding of how organisms explore and interact with their environments. For bees and spiders, the filiform mechanosensory systems enable this novel sensory modality by carrying electric charge and deflecting in response to electrical fields. This mode of information acquisition opens avenues for previously unrealised sensory dynamics and capabilities. In this paper, we study one such potential: the possibility for an arthropod to locate electrically charged objects. We begin by illustrating how electrostatic interactions between hairs and surrounding electrical fields enable the process of location detection. After which we examine three scenarios: (1) the determination of the location and magnitude of multiple point charges through a single observation, (2) the learning of electrical and mechanical sensor properties and the characteristics of an electrical field through several observations, (3) the possibility that an observer can infer their location and orientation in a fixed and known electrical field (akin to "stellar navigation"). To conclude, we discuss the potential of electroreception to endow an animal with thus far unappreciated sensory capabilities, such as the mapping of electrical environments. Electroreception by terrestrial arthropods offers a renewed understanding of the sensory processes carried out by filiform hairs, adding to aero-acoustic sensing and opening up the possibility of new emergent collective dynamics and information acquisition by distributed hair sensors.
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13
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Michaiel AM, Bernard A. Neurobiology and changing ecosystems: Toward understanding the impact of anthropogenic influences on neurons and circuits. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:995354. [PMID: 36569799 PMCID: PMC9769128 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.995354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid anthropogenic environmental changes, including those due to habitat contamination, degradation, and climate change, have far-reaching effects on biological systems that may outpace animals' adaptive responses. Neurobiological systems mediate interactions between animals and their environments and evolved over millions of years to detect and respond to change. To gain an understanding of the adaptive capacity of nervous systems given an unprecedented pace of environmental change, mechanisms of physiology and behavior at the cellular and biophysical level must be examined. While behavioral changes resulting from anthropogenic activity are becoming increasingly described, identification and examination of the cellular, molecular, and circuit-level processes underlying those changes are profoundly underexplored. Hence, the field of neuroscience lacks predictive frameworks to describe which neurobiological systems may be resilient or vulnerable to rapidly changing ecosystems, or what modes of adaptation are represented in our natural world. In this review, we highlight examples of animal behavior modification and corresponding nervous system adaptation in response to rapid environmental change. The underlying cellular, molecular, and circuit-level component processes underlying these behaviors are not known and emphasize the unmet need for rigorous scientific enquiry into the neurobiology of changing ecosystems.
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14
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Hunting ER, O’Reilly LJ, Harrison RG, Manser K, England SJ, Harris BH, Robert D. Observed electric charge of insect swarms and their contribution to atmospheric electricity. iScience 2022; 25:105241. [PMID: 36439985 PMCID: PMC9684032 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The atmosphere hosts multiple sources of electric charge that influence critical processes such as the aggregation of droplets and the removal of dust and aerosols. This is evident in the variability of the atmospheric electric field. Whereas these electric fields are known to respond to physical and geological processes, the effect of biotic sources of charge has not hitherto been considered. Here, we combine theoretical and empirical evidence to demonstrate that honeybee swarms directly contribute to atmospheric electricity, in proportion to the swarm density. We provide a quantitative assessment of this finding, by comparing the electrical contribution of various swarming insect species with common abiotic sources of charge. This reveals that the charge contribution of some insect swarms will be comparable with that of meteorologically induced variations. The observed transport of charge by insects therefore demonstrates an unexplored role of biogenic space charge for physical and ecological processes in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liam J. O’Reilly
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Sam J. England
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Beth H. Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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15
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Hunting ER, England SJ, Koh K, Lawson DA, Brun NR, Robert D. Synthetic fertilizers alter floral biophysical cues and bumblebee foraging behavior. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac230. [PMID: 36712354 PMCID: PMC9802097 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The use of agrochemicals is increasingly recognized as interfering with pollination services due to its detrimental effects on pollinators. Compared to the relatively well-studied chemical toxicity of agrochemicals, little is known on how they influence various biophysical floral cues that are used by pollinating insects to identify floral rewards. Here, we show that widely used horticultural and agricultural synthetic fertilizers affect bumblebee foraging behavior by altering a complex set of interlinked biophysical properties of the flower. We provide empirical and model-based evidence that synthetic fertilizers recurrently alter the magnitude and dynamics of floral electrical cues, and that similar responses can be observed with the neonicotinoid pesticide imidacloprid. We show that biophysical responses interact in modifying floral electric fields and that such changes reduce bumblebee foraging, reflecting a perturbation in the sensory events experienced by bees during flower visitation. This unveils a previously unappreciated anthropogenic interference elicited by agrochemicals within the electric landscape that is likely relevant for a wide range of chemicals and organisms that rely on naturally occurring electric fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sam J England
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Kuang Koh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Dave A Lawson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | | | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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16
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Drinkwater E, Allen WL, Endler JA, Hanlon RT, Holmes G, Homziak NT, Kang C, Leavell BC, Lehtonen J, Loeffler‐Henry K, Ratcliffe JM, Rowe C, Ruxton GD, Sherratt TN, Skelhorn J, Skojec C, Smart HR, White TE, Yack JE, Young CM, Umbers KDL. A synthesis of deimatic behaviour. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:2237-2267. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Drinkwater
- Department of Animal Science Writtle University College Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3RR UK
| | - William L. Allen
- Department of Biosciences Swansea University Sketty Swansea SA2 8PP UK
| | - John A. Endler
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences Deakin University Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 Australia
| | | | - Grace Holmes
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Nicholas T. Homziak
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL 32611 USA
- Entomology and Nematology Department University of Florida Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Changku Kang
- Department of Biosciences Mokpo National University Muan Jeollanamdo 58554 South Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology Seoul National University Seoul 08826 South Korea
- Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences Seoul National University Seoul 08826 South Korea
| | - Brian C. Leavell
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Jussi Lehtonen
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä 40014 Finland
| | | | - John M. Ratcliffe
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Candy Rowe
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Graeme D. Ruxton
- School of Biology University of St Andrews St Andrews Fife KY16 9TH UK
| | - Tom N. Sherratt
- Department of Biology Carleton University Ottawa ON K1S 5B6 Canada
| | - John Skelhorn
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Chelsea Skojec
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL 32611 USA
- Entomology and Nematology Department University of Florida Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - Hannah R. Smart
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Western Sydney University Penrith NSW 2751 Australia
| | - Thomas E. White
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Jayne E. Yack
- Department of Biology Carleton University Ottawa ON K1S 5B6 Canada
| | | | - Kate D. L. Umbers
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Western Sydney University Penrith NSW 2751 Australia
- School of Science Western Sydney University Penrith NSW 2751 Australia
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17
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Feng HJ, Chen L, Ding YC, Ma XJ, How SW, Wu D. Mechanism on the microbial salt tolerance enhancement by electrical stimulation. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 147:108206. [PMID: 35868204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108206] [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: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The application of biological methods in industrial saline wastewater treatment is limited, since the activities of microorganisms are strongly inhibited by the highly concentrated salts. Acclimatized halotolerant and halophilic microorganisms are of high importance since they can resist the environmental stresses of high salinity. The acclimation to salinity can be passive or active based on whether external simulation is used. However, there is a need for development of economic, efficient and reliable active biological stimulation technologies to accelerate salinity acclimation. Recent studies have shown that electrical stimulation can effectively enhance microbial salt tolerance and pollutant removal ability. However, there have been no comprehensive reviews of the mechanisms involved. Therefore, this mini-review described the mechanisms of electrical stimulation that can significantly improve microbial bioactivity and biodiversity. These mechanisms include regulation of Na+ and K+ transporters by changing membranepotential and promoting ATP production, as well as regulation of extracellular polymer substances through enhanced release of low molecular weight EPS and quorum sensing molecules. The information provided herein will facilitate the application of biological high-salinity wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Jun Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China; International Science and Technology Cooperation Platform for Low-Carbon Recycling of Waste and Green Development, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Long Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China; International Science and Technology Cooperation Platform for Low-Carbon Recycling of Waste and Green Development, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang-Cheng Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China; International Science and Technology Cooperation Platform for Low-Carbon Recycling of Waste and Green Development, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiang-Juan Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China; International Science and Technology Cooperation Platform for Low-Carbon Recycling of Waste and Green Development, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Seow-Wah How
- Faculty of Bioengineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Di Wu
- Faculty of Bioengineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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18
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Palmer RA, Chenchiah IV, Robert D. The mechanics and interactions of electrically sensitive mechanoreceptive hair arrays of arthropods. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220053. [PMID: 35317646 PMCID: PMC8941402 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0053] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent investigations highlight the possibility of electroreception within arthropods through charged mechanosensory hairs. This discovery raises questions about the influence of electrostatic interaction between hairs and surrounding electrical fields within this sensory modality. Here, we investigate these questions by studying electrostatic coupling in arrays of hairs. We establish the notion of sensitivity contours that indicate regions within which point charges deflect hairs beyond a given threshold. We then examine how the contour’s shape and size and the overall hair behaviour change in response to variations in the coupling between hairs. This investigation unveils synergistic behaviours whereby the sensitivity of hairs is enhanced or inhibited by neighbouring hairs. The hair spacing and ratio of a system’s electrical parameters to its mechanical parameters influence this behaviour. Our results indicate that electrostatic interaction between hairs leads to emergent sensory properties for biologically relevant parameter values. The analysis raises new questions around the impact of electrostatic interaction on the current understanding of sensory hair processes, such as acoustic sensing, unveiling new sensory capabilities within electroreception such as amplification of hair sensitivity and location detection of charges in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Palmer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.,School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Isaac V Chenchiah
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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19
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Bauer U, Poppinga S. New insights and opportunities from taking a biomechanical perspective on plant ecology. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1063-1066. [PMID: 35199169 PMCID: PMC8866229 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Bauer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Simon Poppinga
- Botanical Garden, Technical University of Darmstadt, Department of Biology, Schnittspahnstraße 2, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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