Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy
Jumping in planthopper and froghopper insects is propelled by a catapult-like mechanism requiring mechanical storage of energy and its quick release to accelerate the hind legs rapidly. To understand the functional biomechanics involved in these challenging movements, the internal skeleton, tendons...
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2017-06-01
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doaj-38fef5d9563c49fdbb400601d7b06ba22021-05-05T13:33:30ZengeLife Sciences Publications LtdeLife2050-084X2017-06-01610.7554/eLife.23824Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopyIgor Siwanowicz0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5819-1530Malcolm Burrows1Howard Hughes Medical Institute/Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, United StatesDepartment of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United KingdomJumping in planthopper and froghopper insects is propelled by a catapult-like mechanism requiring mechanical storage of energy and its quick release to accelerate the hind legs rapidly. To understand the functional biomechanics involved in these challenging movements, the internal skeleton, tendons and muscles involved were reconstructed in 3-D from confocal scans in unprecedented detail. Energy to power jumping was generated by slow contractions of hind leg depressor muscles and then stored by bending specialised elements of the thoracic skeleton that are composites of the rubbery protein resilin sandwiched between layers of harder cuticle with air-filled tunnels reducing mass. The images showed that the lever arm of the power-producing muscle changed in magnitude during jumping, but at all joint angles would cause depression, suggesting a mechanism by which the stored energy is released. This methodological approach illuminates how miniaturized components interact and function in complex and rapid movements of small animals.https://elifesciences.org/articles/23824locomotionresilinplanthoppersfroghopperspleural archescatapult mechanism |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Igor Siwanowicz Malcolm Burrows |
spellingShingle |
Igor Siwanowicz Malcolm Burrows Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy eLife locomotion resilin planthoppers froghoppers pleural arches catapult mechanism |
author_facet |
Igor Siwanowicz Malcolm Burrows |
author_sort |
Igor Siwanowicz |
title |
Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy |
title_short |
Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy |
title_full |
Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy |
title_fullStr |
Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy |
title_full_unstemmed |
Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy |
title_sort |
three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy |
publisher |
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd |
series |
eLife |
issn |
2050-084X |
publishDate |
2017-06-01 |
description |
Jumping in planthopper and froghopper insects is propelled by a catapult-like mechanism requiring mechanical storage of energy and its quick release to accelerate the hind legs rapidly. To understand the functional biomechanics involved in these challenging movements, the internal skeleton, tendons and muscles involved were reconstructed in 3-D from confocal scans in unprecedented detail. Energy to power jumping was generated by slow contractions of hind leg depressor muscles and then stored by bending specialised elements of the thoracic skeleton that are composites of the rubbery protein resilin sandwiched between layers of harder cuticle with air-filled tunnels reducing mass. The images showed that the lever arm of the power-producing muscle changed in magnitude during jumping, but at all joint angles would cause depression, suggesting a mechanism by which the stored energy is released. This methodological approach illuminates how miniaturized components interact and function in complex and rapid movements of small animals. |
topic |
locomotion resilin planthoppers froghoppers pleural arches catapult mechanism |
url |
https://elifesciences.org/articles/23824 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT igorsiwanowicz threedimensionalreconstructionofenergystoresforjumpinginplanthoppersandfroghoppersfromconfocallaserscanningmicroscopy AT malcolmburrows threedimensionalreconstructionofenergystoresforjumpinginplanthoppersandfroghoppersfromconfocallaserscanningmicroscopy |
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1721461525257912320 |