The adhesive strength of the palettes of males of a boreal water beetle, <i>Dytiscus alaskanus</i> J. Balfour Browne (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Aiken, R. B.; Khan, Aly

doi:10.1139/z92-185

Cited by 33 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Most other dytiscid taxa, including the Cybistrini, the sister group to other Dytiscinae, instead have adhesive setae with spatula-shaped apices that are more commonly found among other insects [12]. Previous studies suggest that the whole palette with sucker setae generates adhesive forces about four times the body weight [36] and performs better on smooth female elytra than on rough ones [33]. A palette with spatula setae has better adhesion on wet surfaces than dry and can generate even stronger shear resistance than adhesion [37,38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Underwater attachment using hairs: the functioning of spatula and sucker setae from male diving beetles

Ying

Shih

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Males of Dytiscinae beetles use specialized adhesive setae to adhere to female elytra during underwater courtship. This coevolution of male setae and female elytra has attracted much attention since Darwin. However, there has been little examination of their biomechanical functioning despite increasing knowledge on biofibrillar adhesion. Here, we report and compare, for the first time, the mechanisms of underwater attachment using two hair types, the primitive spatula and derived 'passive' sucker, found in male diving beetles. Results from interspecific scaling of protarsal palettes and adhesion by single seta suggest better performance in the later-evolved circular (sucker) setae. Spatula setae with a modified shallow sucker and channels use the combined mechanisms of suction and viscous resistance for adhesion. Velocity-dependent adhesion provides sufficient control for resisting the female's erratic movements while also detaching easily through slow peeling. Direction-dependent shear resistance helps reorient setae surfaces into a preferred direction for effective adhesion. Seta deformation using different mechanisms for circular and spatula setae reduces the force that is transmitted to the contact interface. A softer spring in spatula setae explains their adhesion at lower preloads and assists in complete substrate contact. Attachment mechanisms revealed in adhesive setae with modified spatula and passive suckers provide insights for bioinspired designs of underwater attachment devices.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A palette with spatula setae has better adhesion on wet surfaces than dry and can generate even stronger shear resistance than adhesion [37,38]. The attachment performance of a single seta has only been examined on sucker setae [36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underwater attachment using hairs: the functioning of spatula and sucker setae from male diving beetles

Ying

Shih

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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“…Such adaptations have been previously discussed for other species of beetle (Aiken and Khan 1992;Bergsten et al 2001;Miller 2003;Voigt et al 2008: Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, Chrysomelidae; Karlsson Green et al 2013: Dytiscidae). In males of D. virgifera virgifera the specialized mushroom-shaped adhesive tarsal hairs arranged concavely in oval areas on the first tarsomeres of their fore-and midleg, which usually contact the elytra surface of females, are probably an adaptation for attaching to the convex elytra of females.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

New results on sexual differences in tarsal adhesive setae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

Gloyna¹,

Thieme²,

Gorb

et al. 2014

European Journal of Environmental Sciences

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Previous light microscopy studies revealed a hairless patch on the feet of male Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. However, in related species of chrysomelid beetles the males have special adhesive setae with discoid terminals, which adhere to the elytra of females during copulation. In the present study, we examined the pretarsi of D. virgifera virgifera at a high magnification using scanning electron microscopy. The distinct sexual tarsal dimorphism in this species is confirmed. However, our results do not support the presence of a hairless patch on the feet of males, but a field of densely-packed male-specific adhesive setae with discoid terminals.

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“…In many animals, male and female are attached to one another during copulation with a kind of lock-and-key mechanism, which has not only mechanical but also sensory function and is also involved in the recognition of an interspecific mate. In the case of aquatic beetles, the specialized attachment system of males relies on the suction cup mechanism and is under a strong pressure of natural selection (Törne 1910;Aiken & Khan 1992;Miller 2003). There are some examples where such specialization is so strongly 'overdeveloped' (figure 3f ) that males can even be hindered to perform normal walking on smooth surfaces (Pelletier & Smilowitz 1987).…”

Section: Biological Functions Of Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Suction cups are widely used by parasites and predators. Some species bear specialized suction cups or their arrays for attachment during copulation (Aiken & Khan 1992). True suckers are adapted for attachment to relatively smooth substrata (some stones, plant leaves and surfaces of other animals).…”

Section: (B ) Suckermentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological attachment devices: exploring nature's diversity for biomimetics

Gorb¹

2008

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

212

200

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Many species of animals and plants are supplied with diverse attachment devices, in which morphology depends on the species biology and the particular function in which the attachment device is involved. Many functional solutions have evolved independently in different lineages of animals and plants. Since the diversity of such biological structures is huge, there is a need for their classification. This paper, based on the original and literature data, proposes ordering of biological attachment systems according to several principles: (i) fundamental physical mechanism, according to which the system operates, (ii) biological function of the attachment device, and (iii) duration of the contact. Finally, we show a biomimetic potential of studies on biological attachment devices.

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The adhesive strength of the palettes of males of a boreal water beetle, Dytiscus alaskanus J. Balfour Browne (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Cited by 33 publications

References 7 publications

Underwater attachment using hairs: the functioning of spatula and sucker setae from male diving beetles

Underwater attachment using hairs: the functioning of spatula and sucker setae from male diving beetles

New results on sexual differences in tarsal adhesive setae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

Biological attachment devices: exploring nature's diversity for biomimetics

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