scholarly journals Scaling and development of elastic mechanisms: the tiny strikes of larval mantis shrimp

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob S. Harrison ◽  
Megan L. Porter ◽  
Matthew J. McHenry ◽  
H. Eve Robinson ◽  
S. N. Patek
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Scaling Limits ◽  
Elastic Recoil ◽  
Mantis Shrimp ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
High Acceleration ◽  
Fourth Larval Stage ◽  
Kinematic Analyses ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

ABSTRACT Latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA) is used by small organisms to produce high acceleration movements. Mathematical models predict that acceleration increases as LaMSA systems decrease in size. Adult mantis shrimp use a LaMSA mechanism in their raptorial appendages to produce extremely fast strikes. Until now, however, it was unclear whether mantis shrimp at earlier life-history stages also strike using elastic recoil and latch mediation. We tested whether larval mantis shrimp (Gonodactylaceus falcatus) use LaMSA and, because of their smaller size, achieve higher strike accelerations than adults of other mantis shrimp species. Based on microscopy and kinematic analyses, we discovered that larval G. falcatus possess the components of, and actively use, LaMSA during their fourth larval stage, which is the stage of development when larvae begin feeding. Larvae performed strikes at high acceleration and speed (mean: 4.133×105 rad s−2, 292.7 rad s−1; 12 individuals, 25 strikes), which are of the same order of magnitude as for adults – even though adult appendages are up to two orders of magnitude longer. Larval strike speed (mean: 0.385 m s−1) exceeded the maximum swimming speed of similarly sized organisms from other species by several orders of magnitude. These findings establish the developmental timing and scaling of the mantis shrimp LaMSA mechanism and provide insights into the kinematic consequences of scaling limits in tiny elastic mechanisms.

scholarly journals A physical model of mantis shrimp for exploring the dynamics of ultrafast systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (33) ◽  
pp. e2026833118
Author(s):  
Emma Steinhardt ◽  
Nak-seung P. Hyun ◽  
Je-sung Koh ◽  
Gregory Freeburn ◽  
Michelle H. Rosen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Elastic Energy ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Elastic Recoil ◽  
Mantis Shrimp ◽  
Linkage Design ◽  
High Acceleration ◽  
Mechanical Power Output ◽  
Stored Elastic Energy

Efficient and effective generation of high-acceleration movement in biology requires a process to control energy flow and amplify mechanical power from power density–limited muscle. Until recently, this ability was exclusive to ultrafast, small organisms, and this process was largely ascribed to the high mechanical power density of small elastic recoil mechanisms. In several ultrafast organisms, linkages suddenly initiate rotation when they overcenter and reverse torque; this process mediates the release of stored elastic energy and enhances the mechanical power output of extremely fast, spring-actuated systems. Here we report the discovery of linkage dynamics and geometric latching that reveals how organisms and synthetic systems generate extremely high-acceleration, short-duration movements. Through synergistic analyses of mantis shrimp strikes, a synthetic mantis shrimp robot, and a dynamic mathematical model, we discover that linkages can exhibit distinct dynamic phases that control energy transfer from stored elastic energy to ultrafast movement. These design principles are embodied in a 1.5-g mantis shrimp scale mechanism capable of striking velocities over 26 m s−1 in air and 5 m s−1 in water. The physical, mathematical, and biological datasets establish latching mechanics with four temporal phases and identify a nondimensional performance metric to analyze potential energy transfer. These temporal phases enable control of an extreme cascade of mechanical power amplification. Linkage dynamics and temporal phase characteristics are easily adjusted through linkage design in robotic and mathematical systems and provide a framework to understand the function of linkages and latches in biological systems.

scholarly journals The movement ecology of seagrasses

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1795) ◽  
pp. 20140878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn McMahon ◽  
Kor-jent van Dijk ◽  
Leonardo Ruiz-Montoya ◽  
Gary A. Kendrick ◽  
Siegfried L. Krauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Movement Ecology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Time Movement

A movement ecology framework is applied to enhance our understanding of the causes, mechanisms and consequences of movement in seagrasses: marine, clonal, flowering plants. Four life-history stages of seagrasses can move: pollen, sexual propagules, vegetative fragments and the spread of individuals through clonal growth. Movement occurs on the water surface, in the water column, on or in the sediment, via animal vectors and through spreading clones. A capacity for long-distance dispersal and demographic connectivity over multiple timeframes is the novel feature of the movement ecology of seagrasses with significant evolutionary and ecological consequences. The space–time movement footprint of different life-history stages varies. For example, the distance moved by reproductive propagules and vegetative expansion via clonal growth is similar, but the timescales range exponentially, from hours to months or centuries to millennia, respectively. Consequently, environmental factors and key traits that interact to influence movement also operate on vastly different spatial and temporal scales. Six key future research areas have been identified.

scholarly journals Sublethal Effects of Crude Oil and Chemical Dispersants on Multiple Life History Stages of the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 808
Author(s):  
Sara M. Garcia ◽  
Kevin T. Du Clos ◽  
Olivia H. Hawkins ◽  
Brad J. Gemmell
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Sublethal Effects ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Eastern Oyster ◽  
Clearance Rates ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Oil Exposure

The eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica is an ecologically and economically important species that is vulnerable to oil pollution. We assessed sublethal effects of soluble fractions of crude oil alone (WAF) and crude oil in combination with Corexit 9500 dispersant (CEWAF) on oysters at three life history stages. Veliger swimming, pediveliger settlement, and adult clearance rates were quantified after 24 h exposures to the contaminants. Veliger swimming speeds were not significantly impacted by 24 h exposures to WAF or CEWAF. A larger proportion of veligers were inactive following WAF and CEWAF exposure as compared to the control, but the effect was greater for pediveligers, and pediveliger settlement in the highest concentration CEWAF treatment decreased by 50% compared to controls. Thus, pediveligers may be particularly vulnerable to oil exposure. In the adults, we found significant clearance rates reductions that persisted 33 days after acute exposure to CEWAF. Knowledge of sublethal effects of oil and dispersant at multiple life history stages aids understanding of how this important species will respond to an oil spill.

Significance of Egg and Larval Size to Recruitment Variability of Temperate Marine Fish

1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 1820-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Pepin ◽  
Ransom A. Myers
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Marine Fish ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Larval Size ◽  
Larval Phase ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Recruitment Variability

Recruitment variability is commonly associated with fluctuations in abundance of marine fish populations. Previous studies have focussed on stock-specific correlative or mechanistic models or on comparisons of recruitment variations of several stocks or species. The purpose of this study is to determine whether recruitment variability of commercial marine fish populations is associated with either size or the duration of early life history stages. The analysis was performed with data from 86 stocks representing 21 species of commercial marine fish. Univariate analysis shows that neither egg size nor the length at hatch is significantly correlated with recruitment variability. The change in length during the larval phase, which is representative of the duration of the stage, is significantly positively correlated with recruitment variability. Multivariate analysis shows that recruitment variability increases with increasing length at metamorphosis but that recruitment variability is poorly associated with length at hatch. The degree of serial correlation is related to the relative duration of egg and larval stages. The results clearly indicate that recruitment variability is linked to characteristics of early life history stages.

Disturbance and tropical pioneer species: Patterns of association across life history stages

2012 ◽  
Vol 277 ◽  
pp. 54-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uromi M. Goodale ◽  
Mark S. Ashton ◽  
Graeme P. Berlyn ◽  
Timothy G. Gregoire ◽  
B.M.P. Singhakumara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Pioneer Species ◽  
Life History Stages

scholarly journals Addressing fish-passage issues at hydropower and irrigation infrastructure projects in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J. Baumgartner ◽  
Arif Wibowo
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Tropical Island ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Sumatra Island ◽  
Irrigation Infrastructure

Development activities threaten the long-term sustainability of tropical floodplain systems. The construction of dams, weirs, irrigation infrastructure and regulators affect connectivity among habitats and can facilitate rapid declines in riverine biota, especially fish. Indonesia is a tropical island country with an abundance of monsoonal rivers. Massive expansions in hydropower and irrigation infrastructure are planned over the next two decades and mitigation measures will be needed to protect migratory fish. Most Indonesian freshwater fish need to migrate among habitats to complete essential life-history stages. So, strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the barrier effects of river infrastructure to ensure the long-term sustainability of river fishes. A common tool used worldwide is the construction of upstream and downstream fish passes. Only two fish passes exist in Indonesia. One at Perjaya Irrigation Dam on the Komering River (Sumatra island) and another on Poso Dam on the Poso River (Sulawesi island). Neither of these structures has been assessed and many other projects are proceeding without considering potential impacts on fisheries. The proposed infrastructure upgrades over the next two decades provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that migratory fish are adequately protected into the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document