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Socha JJ, Khandelwal PC. Animal locomotion: Wing-like femoral lobes help orchid mantid nymphs glide. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R94-R98. [PMID: 38320481 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The femoral lobes of the orchid mantis give this fierce predator a flower-like appearance, but they also assist in gliding, showing that form can match function in more ways than one.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Socha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
| | - Pranav C Khandelwal
- Institute of Flight Mechanics and Controls, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
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Bäumler F, Gorb SN, Büsse S. Extrinsic and intrinsic musculature of the raptorial forelegs in Mantodea (Insecta) in the light of functionality and sexual dimorphism. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21590. [PMID: 37183496 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21590] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Prehensile raptorial forelegs are prey capturing and grasping devices, best known for praying mantises (Mantodea) within insects. They show strong morphological and behavioral adaptations toward a lifestyle as generalist arthropod predators. In the past, few species of Mantodea were investigated, concerning morphological variability of the raptorial forelegs. Especially the knowledge of foreleg anatomy in the light of functional and comparative morphology is scarce. Our comparative approach is based on the, for arthropods very common, "female-biased sexual size dimorphism" (SSD) that occurs in almost every Mantodea species. Within Mantodea, this SSD is likely leading to a shift of the exploited ecological niche between male and female individuals due to changes in, for example, the possible prey size; which might be reflected in the chosen ecomorphs. In this context, we analyzed the musculature of the raptorial forelegs of female and male specimens in five different species with varying SSD, using high-resolution microcomputed tomography and dissection. We were able to confirm the presence of 15 extrinsic and 15 intrinsic muscles-including one previously undescribed muscle present in all species. Thus, presenting a detailed description and illustrative three-dimensional anatomical visualization of the musculature in Mantodea. Interestingly, almost no observable differences were found, neither between species, nor between the sexes. Furthermore, we homologized all described muscles, due to their attachment points, to the comprehensive nomenclature established by Friedrich and Beutel (2008), discussed potential functionality of the muscles and possible homologies to the neuropteran Mantispa styriaca (Büsse et al., 2021) and the newly introduced leg nomenclature by Aibekova et al. (2022). By elucidating the anatomy, particularly in the context of functionality and SSD, our results complement previous knowledge of the raptorial forelegs, and facilitate a better understanding of the underlying biomechanical system of the predatory strike, and ultimately, a future comparison to other insect taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bäumler
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Büsse
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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3
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The orchid mantis exhibits high ontogenetic colouration variety and intersexual life history differences. Evol Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-023-10230-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
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Cook C, Powell EC, McGraw KJ, Taylor LA. Sexually dimorphic dorsal coloration in a jumping spider: testing a potential case of sex-specific mimicry. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210308. [PMID: 34168891 PMCID: PMC8220260 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To avoid predation, many animals mimic behaviours and/or coloration of dangerous prey. Here we examine potential sex-specific mimicry in the jumping spider Habronattus pyrrithrix. Previous work proposed that males' conspicuous dorsal coloration paired with characteristic leg-waving (i.e. false antennation) imperfectly mimics hymenopteran insects (e.g. wasps and bees), affording protection to males during mate-searching and courtship. By contrast, less active females are cryptic and display less leg-waving. Here we test the hypothesis that sexually dimorphic dorsal colour patterns in H. pyrrithrix are most effective when paired with sex-specific behaviours. We manipulated spider dorsal coloration with makeup to model the opposite sex and exposed them to a larger salticid predator (Phidippus californicus). We predicted that males painted like females should suffer higher predation rates than sham-control males. Likewise, females painted like males should suffer higher predation rates than sham-control females. Contrary to expectations, spiders with male-like coloration were attacked more than those with female-like coloration, regardless of their actual sex. Moreover, males were more likely to be captured, and were captured sooner, than females (regardless of colour pattern). With these unexpected negative results, we discuss alternative functional hypotheses for H. pyrrithrix colours, as well as the evolution of defensive coloration generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collette Cook
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Erin C. Powell
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kevin J. McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Lisa A. Taylor
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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Benoit AD, Kalisz S. Predator Effects on Plant-Pollinator Interactions, Plant Reproduction, Mating Systems, and Evolution. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012120-094926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plants are the foundation of the food web and therefore interact directly and indirectly with myriad organisms at higher trophic levels. They directly provide nourishment to mutualistic and antagonistic primary consumers (e.g., pollinators and herbivores), which in turn are consumed by predators. These interactions produce cascading indirect effects on plants (either trait-mediated or density-mediated). We review how predators affect plant-pollinator interactions and thus how predators indirectly affect plant reproduction, fitness, mating systems, and trait evolution. Predators can influence pollinator abundance and foraging behavior. In many cases, predators cause pollinators to visit plants less frequently and for shorter durations. This decline in visitation can lead to pollen limitation and decreased seed set. However, alternative outcomes can result due to differences in predator, pollinator, and plant functional traits as well as due to altered interaction networks with plant enemies. Furthermore, predators may indirectly affect the evolution of plant traits and mating systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. Benoit
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA;,
| | - Susan Kalisz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA;,
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Gontijo LM. Female treehoppers camouflage behaviour is evidenced during oviposition on wild shrubs. J NAT HIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1629660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lessando M. Gontijo
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Florestal, MG, Brazil
- Department of Management and Conservation of Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Florestal, MG, Brazil
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Svenson GJ, Brannoch SK, Rodrigues HM, O'Hanlon JC, Wieland F. Selection for predation, not female fecundity, explains sexual size dimorphism in the orchid mantises. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37753. [PMID: 27905469 PMCID: PMC5131372 DOI: 10.1038/srep37753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we reconstruct the evolutionary shift towards floral simulation in orchid mantises and suggest female predatory selection as the likely driving force behind the development of extreme sexual size dimorphism. Through analysis of body size data and phylogenetic modelling of trait evolution, we recovered an ancestral shift towards sexual dimorphisms in both size and appearance in a lineage of flower-associated praying mantises. Sedentary female flower mantises dramatically increased in size prior to a transition from camouflaged, ambush predation to a floral simulation strategy, gaining access to, and visually attracting, a novel resource: large pollinating insects. Male flower mantises, however, remained small and mobile to facilitate mate-finding and reproductive success, consistent with ancestral male life strategy. Although moderate sexual size dimorphisms are common in many arthropod lineages, the predominant explanation is female size increase for increased fecundity. However, sex-dependent selective pressures acting outside of female fecundity have been suggested as mechanisms behind niche dimorphisms. Our hypothesised role of predatory selection acting on females to generate both extreme sexual size dimorphism coupled with niche dimorphism is novel among arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin J Svenson
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sydney K Brannoch
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Henrique M Rodrigues
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - James C O'Hanlon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Frank Wieland
- Pfalzmuseum für Naturkunde - POLLICHIA-Museum, Bad Dürkheim, Germany
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Schulte LM, Krauss M, Lötters S, Schulze T, Brack W. Decoding and Discrimination of Chemical Cues and Signals: Avoidance of Predation and Competition during Parental Care Behavior in Sympatric Poison Frogs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129929. [PMID: 26132416 PMCID: PMC4488855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of chemical communication and the discrimination between evolved functions (signals) and unintentional releases (cues) are among the most challenging issues in chemical ecology. The accurate classification of inter- or intraspecific chemical communication is often puzzling. Here we report on two different communication systems triggering the same parental care behavior in the poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis. This species deposits its tadpoles and egg clutches in phytotelmata and chemically recognizes and avoids sites with both predatory conspecific and non-predatory heterospecific tadpoles (of the species Hyloxalus azureiventris). Combining chemical analyses with in-situ bioassays, we identified the molecular formulas of the chemical compounds triggering this behavior. We found that both species produce distinct chemical compound combinations, suggesting two separate communication systems. Bringing these results into an ecological context, we classify the conspecific R. variabilis compounds as chemical cues, advantageous only to the receivers (the adult frogs), not the emitters (the tadpoles). The heterospecific compounds, however, are suggested to be chemical signals (or cues evolving into signals), being advantageous to the emitters (the heterospecific tadpoles) and likely also to the receivers (the adult frogs). Due to these assumed receiver benefits, the heterospecific compounds are possibly synomones which are advantageous to both emitter and receiver ‒ a very rare communication system between animal species, especially vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Schulte
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Trier, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Lötters
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Trier, Germany
| | - Tobias Schulze
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
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