Article
Behavioral Sciences
Wei Zhou, Long Yu, Bernetta Z. W. Kwek, Ge Jin, Hua Zeng, Daiqin Li
Summary: This study used S. semiglaucus as a model system and found that females pay more attention to information from both individual color patches and gross color patterns when choosing mates, while male contest outcomes were not significantly affected by male color patterns.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rui Chen, Zean Yuan, Jianglong Guo, Long Bai, Xinyu Zhu, Fuqiang Liu, Huayan Pu, Liming Xin, Yan Peng, Jun Luo, Li Wen, Yu Sun
Summary: This study demonstrates a legless soft robot capable of rapid, continuous, and controlled jumping based on a soft electrohydrostatic bending actuator, showcasing its ability to overcome obstacles and perform turning maneuvers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Soo-Hwan Chae, Sang-Min Baek, Jongeun Lee, Kyu-Jin Cho
Summary: This article presents a jumping-crawling robot with enhanced agility and energy-efficiency. By decoupling the energy storage and crouching of the jumping linkage, the robot can quickly change locomotion type and adjust jumping height, reducing time and energy consumption.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Wagner Luiz Dos Santos, Jucara Bordin, Katia Cavalcanti Porto, Fabio Pinheiro
Summary: Life-history traits, such as reproductive allocation, sexual expression, sex ratio, and reproductive success, are important for the ecology and evolution of species. In this study, we investigated reproductive traits in 10 meta-populations of Fissidens flaccidus Mitt. Our results showed that relative reproductive allocation in perigonia and sporophytes is greater than perichaetia. Furthermore, we found a trade-off between sexual relative reproductive allocation and asexual gemma production, highlighting the importance of female ramets in asexual reproduction.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minseok Gwon, Dongjin Kim, Baekgyeom Kim, Seungyong Han, Daeshik Kang, Je-Sung Koh
Summary: Inspired by semi-aquatic animals, the authors investigate the scale dependency of water jumping performance and verify it through experiments with robots. They find that momentum transfer from the water surface is strongly related to the dynamical scale and morphology of jumping animals. A simplified analytical model is used to calculate the maximum momentum transfer and identifies an intermediate dynamical scale region that is highly disadvantageous for jumping on water. The study also presents a large water-jumping robot that achieves the highest reported take-off speed using drag-based propulsion.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Han Bi Jeong, Ji-Sung Park, Eunjin Yang, Yunsuk Jeung, Juliette Amauger, Ho-Young Kim
Summary: Although the mechanics of jumping on water dominated by surface tension are well understood, understanding water jumping dominated by drag force remains incomplete. This study demonstrates drag-dominated jump on water using a simple elastic hoop model system and provides a theoretical framework for analyzing jump dynamics propelled by form drag. The results show that the take-off velocity scaled by the hoop's free vibration velocity depends solely on the solid-fluid density ratio.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Laszlo Mezofi, Viktor Marko, Dora Agnes Taranyi, Gabor Marko
Summary: Selection forces generate sex-specific differences in various fitness-related traits in spiders. This study investigated sex-related differences in body parameters, behavioral features, and their relationships among immature individuals of the Carrhotus xanthogramma spider species. The results revealed that males have higher mass and larger prosoma than females. Males are more active and risk tolerant, while females show increasing reactions to threatening stimuli. The study also found behavioral syndromes in males and females. These results demonstrate that C. xanthogramma sexes exhibit different life-history strategies even before maturity.
Article
Biology
Monique Nouailhetas Simon, Ann M. Cespedes, Simon P. Lailvaux
Summary: Animals rely on their morphology and performance to survive and reproduce, with differences in the relationship between morphology and performance based on gender.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Woojoo Kim, Juliette Amauger, Jungmoon Ha, Thai Hong Pham, Anh Duc Tran, Jae Hong Lee, Jinseok Park, Piotr G. Jablonski, Ho-Young Kim, Sang-Im Lee
Summary: This study demonstrates that large water strider species do not conform to the existing theory of surface tension-dominant jumps and instead utilize surface-breaking jumps to evade underwater predators. This suggests that natural selection can disrupt the theoretical scaling relationship between prey size and jumping performance, leading to an evolutionary shift to a different physical mechanism for protection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Basabi Bagchi, Quentin Corbel, Imroze Khan, Ellen Payne, Devshuvam Banerji, Johanna Liljestrand-Ronn, Ivain Martinossi-Allibert, Julian Baur, Ahmed Sayadi, Elina Immonen, Goran Arnqvist, Irene Soderhall, David Berger
Summary: Our study reveals that female seed beetles have higher phenoloxidase (PO) activity compared to males, and there are sex differences in the expression of genes in the prophenoloxidase activating cascade. Experimental evolution under enforced monogamy led to a decrease in female PO activity and an increase in tolerance to bacterial infection unrelated to mating. Additionally, female PO activity is correlated with male genitalia harmfulness across 12 species of seed beetles, suggesting that sexual conflict influences sexual dimorphisms in immunity in this group of insects.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caihong Han, Qionglin Peng, Mengshi Sun, Xinyu Jiang, Xiangbin Su, Jiangtao Chen, Mingze Ma, Huan Zhu, Xiaoxiao Ji, Yufeng Pan
Summary: Most animal species exhibit dimorphic sexual behaviors, with males showing higher levels of aggression. Current models have focused on the male-specific product of the fruitless gene, fruM, which controls male courtship and male-specific aggression patterns in fruit flies and describes a male-specific mechanism underlying sexually dimorphic behaviors. This study demonstrates that the doublesex gene (dsx), which produces male-specific DsxM and female-specific DsxF transcription factors, also plays a role in the nervous system to control both male and female sexual and aggressive behaviors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
HyunGyu Kim, Matthew A. Woodward, Metin Sitti
Summary: This study integrates perching technology into a jumping robot to improve its jumping performance. A shock-absorbing mechanism is developed, which utilizes a 3D printable flexible polymer material to absorb impact. The performance of the viscoelastic material is characterized based on various parameters, and the engagement strategies for vertical surfaces are also evaluated. Demonstrations show the enhanced performance of the robot with the integrated perching motion. This study provides a design methodology for developing and integrating perching mechanisms into jumping robots.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biology
M. Burrows, A. Ghosh, G. P. Sutton, H. M. Yeshwanth, S. M. Rogers, S. P. Sane
Summary: Lantern bugs, some of the largest jumping hemipteran bugs, achieve impressive take-off velocities with the help of a power amplification mechanism involving rapid and synchronous movements of their hind legs. This mechanism requires energy storage and advanced power output, similar to their smaller relatives, showing efficiency in jumping performance.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Philipp Schorr, Lena Zentner, Klaus Zimmermann, Valter Boehm
Summary: This paper presents a simple solution utilizing the multistability of a compliant tensegrity structure to achieve controllable jumping locomotion for crossing obstacles. By changing equilibrium states and using numerical simulations, a suitable actuation strategy is chosen to overcome barriers. The theoretical approach is experimentally validated with a prototype of the multistable tensegrity structure.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Hae-Won Park, Patrick M. Wensing, Sangbae Kim
Summary: This paper introduces a planning framework for quadruped robots to jump over obstacles using a structured predictive control strategy with heterogeneous simplified models over different prediction time scales. By coordinating a kinematic point-mass model and solving a nonlinear trajectory optimization problem, the robot autonomously jumps over obstacles of varying heights and placements.
ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
W. C. Tan, A. Herrel, D. Roedder
Summary: Habitat change and fragmentation are major drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. Despite increased research efforts, there are biases in the study of habitat fragmentation, with focus on specific continents and limited exploration of response variables. However, there is a shift towards utilizing advanced technologies in research, indicating a need for increased investment in biodiversity hotspots.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Priscila S. Rothier, Anne-Claire Fabre, Julien Clavel, Roger B. J. Benson, Anthony Herrel
Summary: Vertebrate limb morphology is influenced by the environment and can evolve differently in proximal and distal segments. This study investigates the relationship between bone condensation timing and morphological diversity in more than 600 mammalian species. Results show that distal elements exhibit greater shape diversity and faster evolutionary responses than intermediate and upper limb segments. Late developing distal bones display greater morphological variation, while functional specialization drives within-element covariation. Proximal and distal limb segments show different macroevolutionary patterns, with the distal elements showing higher disparity and potential for variation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather E. White, Abigail S. Tucker, Vincent Fernandez, Roberto Portela Miguez, Lionel Hautier, Anthony Herrel, Daniel J. Urban, Karen E. Sears, Anjali Goswami
Summary: Through studying the development of mammalian cranial morphology, it was found that the cranial shape during fetal stage follows a cone-shaped pattern, reflecting the developmental process. The variation in cranial morphology is significantly associated with the level of development at birth. It is hypothesized that placental mammal cranial development closely resembles that of the ancestral therian mammal, while marsupial cranial development represents a more derived mode of mammalian development.
Article
Ecology
Elise Sivault, Kim R. McConkey, Francois Bretagnolle, Asmita Sengupta, Joanna E. Lambert, Eckhard W. Heymann, Anthony Herrel, Pierre-Michel Forget
Summary: By studying skull dimensions and body weight in mammals, we found that body weight is a more reliable predictor for fruit and seed size, but skull dimensions can provide accurate predictions for seed ingestion and dispersal capacity in extinct species.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Maitena Dumont, Joshua Milgram, Anthony Herrel, Ron Shahar, Boaz Shacham, Celine Houssin, Arnaud Delapre, Raphael Cornette, Marion Segall
Summary: This study describes the different patterns of enamel distribution and thickness in snake teeth, and investigates the link between prey hardness and enamel thickness and morphology. The results show that the distribution and thickness of enamel in snake teeth are related to prey hardness.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Vincent Stin, Ramiro Godoy-Diana, Xavier Bonnet, Anthony Herrel
Summary: We present a method for measuring the 3D vortical structures generated by anguilliform swimmers using volumetric velocimetry. By quantifying the wake of freely swimming dice snakes (Natrix tessellata), we observed the formation of multiple vortices along the snake's body due to its undulation. These vortices typically consisted of paired vortex tubes, with some connected to form a hairpin structure.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Marjorie Roscian, Louise Souquet, Anthony Herrel, Theodore Uyeno, Dominique Adriaens, Barbara De Kegel, Isabelle Rouget
Summary: Compared to the well-studied articulated vertebrate jaws, the structure and function of cephalopod jaws are not well understood. The unique features of cephalopod jaws include the lack of contact between the two jaw elements, their embedded position in a muscular mass, and their connection through a muscle joint. This study provides a quantitative analysis of the variation in the buccal mass muscles of cephalopods using different methods. The results reveal the general structure of the muscles and the presence of a unique muscle in octopods.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Louise Souquet, Olivier Basuyaux, Gwendoline Guichard, Anthony Herrel, Isabelle Rouget, Susan Evans, Mehran Moazen
Summary: Due to their small size, juvenile cuttlefish may have lower absolute performance levels compared to adults, but they compensate by showing a higher relative performance and partitioning resources. In this study, we examined the ontogenetic changes in beak shape, wear pattern, mechanical properties, muscular anatomy, and bite force of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. We found that both upper and lower beaks showed shape variation in the rostrum area, possibly due to wear induced by feeding. The mechanical properties of the beaks in juveniles indicated greater resistance compared to adults. Moreover, muscle development and relative bite force differed between cuttlefish of different ages, with juveniles having similar bite force for their size but an advantage for opening.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anaisa Cajigas Gandia, Roberto Alonso Bosch, Carlos A. Mancina, Anthony Herrel
Summary: Geographical ranges and physiological tolerances of species are correlated. Widespread species encounter higher climatic variation and are expected to be more tolerant and better able to conserve their geographical ranges under future climate change scenarios.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Colin M. M. Donihue, Anthony Herrel, Maxime Taverne, Johannes Foufopoulos, Panayiotis Pafilis
Summary: Small islands can drive rapid changes in animal traits, such as bite force, due to competition for limited resources. In a study involving lizards introduced to small Greek islets, changes in body size and bite force were observed, indicating intense competition. However, diet did not show consistent changes, suggesting competition as the main driver of trait changes. This study highlights the importance of competition in driving rapid evolution in response to resource scarcity on small islands.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Eric Parmentier, Anthony Herrel, Marine Banse, Heidie Hornstra, Frederic Bertucci, David Lecchini
Summary: The swim bladder serves as buoyancy and is also involved in hearing and voluntary sound production. This study investigates the functions of swim bladder-associated muscles in lionfish species. The results show that lionfish can produce low-frequency hums and intermittent knocks as aposematic signals. Analysis suggests that these sounds are produced by muscles closely associated with the swim bladder, which also play a role in maneuvering and locomotion.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
A. C. Fabre, R. Amine, H. Dutel, J. Raffaelli, N. Frobisch, A. Herrel
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
L. Kever, A. Marghoub, M. Moazen, S. Evans, M. K. Vickaryous, A. Abzhanov, A. Herrel
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
A. Lowie, A. Herrel, B. De Kegel, M. Wilkinson, J. Measey, J. C. O'Reilly, N. J. Kley, P. Gaucher, J. Brecko, T. Kleinteich, D. Adriaens
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
A. Marghoub, L. Kever, C. Williams, S. Rai, A. Abzhanov, M. Vickaryous, A. Herrel, S. E. Evans, M. Moazen
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
