Temporal changes in the physical and mechanical properties of beetle elytra during maturation

Scalet, Joseph M.; Sprouse, Patricia A.; Schroeder, Joshua D.; Dittmer, Neal T.; Kramer, Karl J.; Kanost, Michael R.; Gehrke, Stevin H.

doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.059

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…For foragers, the indentation modulus was 7.2±2.1 GPa, 1.5 times higher than for bright callows (b RGB > 0.35), 4.9±1.5 GPa; both values are well within the range of moduli reported for insect cuticle [0.4-30 GPa, see 69,70]. The relative increase in modulus is consistent with previous work on insects: the bending modulus of locust tibiae increases approximately threefold during the growth phase following the final moult [71]; the storage modulus of beetle elytra increases approximately sixfold in the first week after eclosion [72]; and the tooth hardness of leaf-cutter ant mandibles increases by a factor of nearly three [33], a development associated with increased zinc-concentration and possibly resistance to mandibular wear [also see 41]. In some leaf-cutter ant species, a biomineral layer forms on the epicuticle a week after eclosion, resulting an a twofold increase in hardness [73].…”

Section: Flexural Rigidity and The Mechanical Demands On The Head Cap...supporting

confidence: 89%

“…In some leaf-cutter ant species, a biomineral layer forms on the epicuticle a week after eclosion, resulting an a twofold increase in hardness [73]. The biomechanical development of insect cuticle is often linked to tanning and sclerotisation, a process associated with water loss, cross-linking of cuticle proteins with chitin, and a resulting increase in modulus [49, 69, 72, 74]. Indeed, cuticle hydration affects both indentation modulus and hardness [69, 75], and because we conducted experiments of small samples in ambient conditions, we likely overestimate the modulus, and underestimate its increase during post-eclosion development [see Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, cuticle hydration affects both indentation modulus and hardness [69, 75], and because we conducted experiments of small samples in ambient conditions, we likely overestimate the modulus, and underestimate its increase during post-eclosion development [see Fig. 3 in 70, and 72].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Developmental biomechanics and age polyethism in leaf-cutter ants

Püffel

Meyer

Imirzian

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Many social insects display age polyethism: young workers stay inside the nest, and only older workers forage. This behavioural transition is accompanied by genetic and physiological changes, but the mechanistic origin of it remains unclear. To investigate if the mechanical demands of foraging effectively prevent young workers from partaking, we studied the biomechanical development of the bite apparatus inAtta vollenweiderileaf-cutter ants. Fully-matured foragers generate peakin-vivobite forces of around 100 mN, more than one order of magnitude in excess of those measured for freshly-eclosed callows of the same size. This change in bite force was accompanied by a sixfold increase in the volume of the mandible closer muscle, and by a substantial increase of the flexural rigidity of the head capsule, driven by a significant increase in both average thickness and indentation modulus of the head capsule cuticle. Consequently, callows lack the muscle force capacity required for leaf-cutting, and their head capsule is so compliant that large muscle forces may cause damaging deformations. On the basis of these results, we speculate that continued biomechanical development post eclosion may be a key factor underlying age polyethism, wherever foraging is associated with mechanical demands on the musculoskeletal system.

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Section: Flexural Rigidity and The Mechanical Demands On The Head Cap...supporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Developmental biomechanics and age polyethism in leaf-cutter ants

Püffel

Meyer

Imirzian

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Higher levels of metal accumulation could lead to an increase in density (Cribb et al, 2008; Hillerton & Vincent, 1982), but zinc/manganese accumulation is restricted to narrow areas of the cutting edges. Another factor possibly contributing to the lightness of the insect cuticle is dehydration occurring in the process of sclerotisation (Calet et al, 2022; Fraenkel & Rudall, 1940; Wappner & Quesada‐Allué, 1996). During sclerotisation, the dry weight of the cuticle increases because of accumulation of materials, though 30%–70% of the water in the pre‐sclerotised cuticle is lost simultaneously.…”

Section: Insect Cuticles As Lightweight Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During sclerotisation, the dry weight of the cuticle increases because of accumulation of materials, though 30%–70% of the water in the pre‐sclerotised cuticle is lost simultaneously. Without dehydration, the weight of the sclerotised cuticle would be 120%–170% of its actual value, indicating the contribution of dehydration to weight loss of the cuticle (Calet et al, 2022; Fraenkel & Rudall, 1940; Vincent & Wegst, 2004; Wappner & Quesada‐Allué, 1996). Dehydration during cuticle sclerotisation does not seem to be a spontaneous drying, since dehydration occurs to the same extent even in saturated humidity or under water (Fraenkel & Rudall, 1940; Wappner & Quesada‐Allué, 1996; Zdarek & Fraenkel, 1972).…”

Section: Insect Cuticles As Lightweight Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco‐evolutionary implications for a possible contribution of cuticle hardening system in insect evolution and terrestrialisation

Asano

Hashimoto

Everroad

2023

Physiological Entomology

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Previously we proposed one aspect of how insects could adapt to terrestrial environments during their evolution. The hypothesis is based on a theory that insects have evolved an insect‐specific system for cuticle formation mediated by an insect‐specific enzyme. This enzyme, multicopper oxidase‐2 (MCO2), catalyses the oxidation of catecholamines using molecular oxygen as the acceptor of electrons from the substrates. A potential advantage of this MCO2‐mediated system is the utilization of molecular oxygen abundant in the atmosphere, which is different from the case in crustaceans (close relatives of insects) that utilize calcium ions. Accumulation of calcium ions leads to an increase in weight, but the lightweight cuticle without calcification might have been a critical factor enabling insects to evolve flight first in the history of Metazoa. Our theory also provides a simple explanation to a long‐standing question of why insects are so rare in marine environments. In previous reviews, we have mainly focused on the details of the biochemical processes occurring in arthropod cuticles, but here only the essence of our theory is extracted and briefly summarized with newly added information.

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Multi‐Level Structural Enhancement Mechanism of the Excellent Mechanical Properties of Dung Beetle Leg Joint

Tuo,

Yang,

et al. 2024

Small

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The multi‐level structure is a strategy to enhance the mechanical properties of dung beetle leg joints. Under external loads, the microstructure facilitates energy dissipation and prevents crack extension. The macrostructure aids in transferring the load to more reliable parts. The connection established by the two hemispheres is present in the dung beetle leg joint. The micron‐layered and nanoscale crystal structures further constitute the leg joint with excellent mechanical properties. The maximum compression fracture force is ≈101000 times the weight of the leg. Here, the structural design within the dung beetle leg joints and reveal the resulting mechanical response and enhancement mechanisms is determined. A series of beetle leg joints where the macrostructure and microstructure of the dung beetle leg provide mechanical strength at critical strains while avoiding catastrophic failure by transferring the load from the joint to the exoskeleton of the femur is highlighted. Nanocrystalline structures and fiber layers contribute to crack propagation of the exoskeleton. Based on this, the bionic joint with multi‐level structures using resin and conducted a series of tests to verify their effectiveness is prepared. This study provides a new idea for designing and optimizing high‐load joints in engineering.

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Temporal changes in the physical and mechanical properties of beetle elytra during maturation

Cited by 13 publications

References 61 publications

Developmental biomechanics and age polyethism in leaf-cutter ants

Developmental biomechanics and age polyethism in leaf-cutter ants

Eco‐evolutionary implications for a possible contribution of cuticle hardening system in insect evolution and terrestrialisation

Multi‐Level Structural Enhancement Mechanism of the Excellent Mechanical Properties of Dung Beetle Leg Joint

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