Perovskites in the comb roof base of hornets: Their possible function

Ishay, Jacob S.; Joseph, Zmira; Galushko, D.; Ermakov, Natalya Y.; Bergman, David J.; Barkay, Zahava; Stokroos, I.; Want, J.J.L. van der

doi:10.1002/jemt.20168

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Inspection of these heavy-element particles at the SE mode, at either zero tilt or high-angle 70°tilt, enabled to reveal the intrinsic nature of these particles, i.e., that they were well embedded in the comb structure, possibly covered by an organic layer, which prevented the detection of EBSD signals from most regions of the particles. The relative percentage of each of the elements in the mineral has been previously presented in detail (Stokroos et al 2001;Ishay et al 2005b). In the present study, however, we focused on and sought mainly Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gravity orientation in social wasp comb cells (Vespinae) and the possible role of embedded minerals

Ishay

Barkay

Eliaz

et al. 2007

Naturwissenschaften

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Social wasps and hornets maintain their nest in the dark. The building of the combs by all Vespinae is always in the direction of the gravitational force of Earth, and in each cell's ceiling, at least one 'keystone' is embedded and fastened by saliva. The sensory mechanisms that enable both building of sizeable symmetrical combs and nursing of the brood in the darkness merit investigation, and the aim of the present study was to identify and characterize the 'keystones' that exist in the ceiling and in the walls of the social wasp comb cells. Bio-ferrography was used to isolate magnetic particles on slides. These slides, as well as original cells, were analyzed in an environmental scanning electron microscope by a variety of analytical tools. It was found that both the roof and the walls of each comb cell bear minerals, like ferrites, as well as Ti and Zr. The latter two elements are less abundant in the soil around the nest. Ti and Zr are known to reflect infrared (IR) light. IR imaging showed a thermoregulatory center in the dorsal thorax of the adult Oriental hornet. It is not known yet whether these insects can sense IR light.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previously, it was suggested that a perovskite phase may be the origin of the titanium-containing particles (Stokroos et al 2001;Ishay et al 2005b). Although main emphasis was given to the ilmenite, likewise identified by X-ray diffraction, the FeSiO 3 phase was also considered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gravity orientation in social wasp comb cells (Vespinae) and the possible role of embedded minerals

Ishay

Barkay

Eliaz

et al. 2007

Naturwissenschaften

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“…In general, the recognized use of titanium minerals by extant organisms is rare and may result from collection of titanium-containing minerals from the environment, rather than “biotitanification.” − Recent research suggests, however, that titanium minerals may have played a role in the origins of life …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peptide- and Long-Chain Polyamine- Induced Synthesis of Micro- and Nanostructured Titanium Phosphate and Protein Encapsulation

et al. 2006

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Poly(allylamine) (a mimic of biopolyamines) and the R5 peptide (a repeat unit of a silaffin protein isolated from a diatom) induce the formation of mineralized titanium from soluble titanium(IV) precursors. These reactions proceed under mild aqueous conditions. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the nanometer to micrometer diameter particles induced by poly(allylamine) are spherical under a range of conditions, while those induced by the R5 peptide include spheres and fused structures. Dynamic light scattering experiments confirm the SEM results and reveal that the particles range in size from 2 nm to 5 μm. The surface charge is negative at neutral pH. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy shows the composition to be primarily titanium, oxygen, and phosphorus. The solids are amorphous at room temperature by powder X-ray diffraction but the material induced by poly(allylamine) converts to cubic crystalline TiP2O7 with annealing to 800 °C. Infrared spectroscopy suggests that the biomolecule mineralization inducers are encapsulated in the solid. Discrete poly(allylamine)-induced spheres are formed only between pH 7−9.5, with polydispersity strongly dependent on pH. The surface of the poly(allylamine)-induced spheres becomes smoother at higher reaction temperatures. Green fluorescent protein can be immobilized in the solid induced by poly(allylamine) but not R5 peptide under the conditions examined.

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Perovskites in the comb roof base of hornets: Their possible function

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Gravity orientation in social wasp comb cells (Vespinae) and the possible role of embedded minerals

Gravity orientation in social wasp comb cells (Vespinae) and the possible role of embedded minerals

Peptide- and Long-Chain Polyamine- Induced Synthesis of Micro- and Nanostructured Titanium Phosphate and Protein Encapsulation

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