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Janice S. Edgerly - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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pressure induced silk spinning mechanism in webspinners insecta Embioptera
Soft Matter, 2019Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Janice S. Edgerly, Thies H Buscher, Taylor E Kelly, Lars Heepe, Stanislav N. GorbAbstract:The articulated appendages of arthropods are highly adaptable and potentially multifunctional, used for walking, swimming, feeding, prey capture, or other functions. Webspinners (Order Embioptera) are a paragon in this context. In contrast to other arthropods producing silk, they utilize their front feet for silk production. However, employing the same leg for alternative functions rather than for pure locomotion potentially imposes constraints and compromises. We here present morphological and experimental evidence for a “passive” pressure-induced silk spinning mechanism induced by external mechanical stimuli. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, as a consequence of the conflicting functions for their front feet, webspinners have evolved a unique style of walking that reduces the potentially problematic contact between silk ejectors and the substrate. Here we answer for the first time a long-term question within this enigmatic group of insects—how webspinners can use their front feet to spin their nanoscale silk. This knowledge may open the door for experimental studies on an artificial spinning process and for future utilization in applied fields of robotics or chemistry.
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Resolving two Haploembia (Embioptera: Oligotomidae) cryptic species: molecular data confirms parthenogenetic females can be distinguished by their antisocial behavior.
Zootaxa, 2018Co-Authors: Erin T. Kelly, Justen B. Whittall, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:The names of two cryptic species of Haploembia found in California are resolved and methods for identification are summarized. Molecular data of the Histone III subunit was used to evaluate color and behavior as species identifiers, confirming that antisocial behavior is a good identifier for the parthenogenetic species (Haploembia tarsalis), whereas the more variable coloration patterns were helpful, but less so. A genome size ratio of 1.44 between the parthenogenetic H. tarsalis and the sexually reproducing H. solieri was observed, along with higher genetic variation within the asexual lineage. This, and the identification of what appears to be a putative hybrid, contributes to current work examining mutation rates and selective pressures on genome size in parthenogenetic populations.
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structural and wetting properties of nature s finest silks order Embioptera
Royal Society Open Science, 2018Co-Authors: Grace Y. Stokes, Evangelea N Dicicco, Trevor Moore, Vivian C Cheng, Kira Y Wheeler, John Soghigian, Richard P Barber, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:Insects from the order Embioptera (webspinners) spin silk fibres which are less than 200 nm in diameter. In this work, we characterized and compared the diameters of single silk fibres from nine sp...
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choreography of silk spinning by webspinners insecta Embioptera reflects lifestyle and hints at phylogeny
Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, 2016Co-Authors: David M Mcmillan, Kyle Hohu, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:Silk spinning defines the morphologically constrained Embiopterans. All individuals spin for protection, including immatures, adult males and the wingless females. Enlarged front tarsi are packed with silk glands and clothed with ejectors. They spin by stepping with their front feet and releasing silk against substrates and onto pre-existing silk, often cloth-like. Spinning is stereotypical and appears to differ between species in frequency and probability of transition between two spin-step positions. This spinning choreography was assessed using thousands of spin-steps scored in the laboratory for 22 species to test: (1) the body size hypothesis predicting that spinning would be more complex for larger species; and (2) the phylogeny hypothesis which predicted that spinning would display phylogenetic signal. Tests relied on published phylogenies for the order Embioptera. Independent contrast analysis revealed relationships between five spin characteristics and body size, whereby, for example, larger webspinners invested in relatively larger prothoracic tarsi used for spinning and in spin-steps that would yield expansive silk coverings. Spin-step dynamics displayed a phylogenetic signal for the frequency of six spin-steps and for 16 spin-step transitions. Discussion focuses on patterns revealed by analysis of phylogenetic signal and the relationship to life style and to recently discovered chemical characteristics of silk.
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Surface and wetting properties of Embiopteran (webspinner) nanofiber silk
Langmuir, 2016Co-Authors: Thomas M. Osborn Popp, Janice S. Edgerly, J. Bennett Addison, Jacob S. Jordan, Viraj G. Damle, Konrad Rykaczewski, Shery L. Y. Chang, Grace Y. Stokes, Jeffery L. YargerAbstract:Insects of the order Embioptera, known as Embiopterans, embiids, or webspinners, weave silk fibers together into sheets to make shelters called galleries. In this study, we show that silk galleries produced by the Embiopteran Antipaluria urichi exhibit a highly hydrophobic wetting state with high water adhesion macroscopically equivalent to the rose petal effect. Specifically, the silk sheets have advancing contact angles above 150°, but receding contact angle approaching 0°. The silk sheets consist of layered fiber bundles with single strands spaced by microscale gaps. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) images of silk treated with organic solvent and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the organic extract support the presence of a lipid outer layer on the silk fibers. We use cryogenic SEM to demonstrate that water drops reside on only the first layer of the silk fibers. The area fraction of this sparse outer silk layers is 0.1 to 0.3, which according to the Cassie–Baxter...
Sebastian Büsse - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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pressure induced silk spinning mechanism in webspinners insecta Embioptera
Soft Matter, 2019Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Janice S. Edgerly, Thies H Buscher, Taylor E Kelly, Lars Heepe, Stanislav N. GorbAbstract:The articulated appendages of arthropods are highly adaptable and potentially multifunctional, used for walking, swimming, feeding, prey capture, or other functions. Webspinners (Order Embioptera) are a paragon in this context. In contrast to other arthropods producing silk, they utilize their front feet for silk production. However, employing the same leg for alternative functions rather than for pure locomotion potentially imposes constraints and compromises. We here present morphological and experimental evidence for a “passive” pressure-induced silk spinning mechanism induced by external mechanical stimuli. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, as a consequence of the conflicting functions for their front feet, webspinners have evolved a unique style of walking that reduces the potentially problematic contact between silk ejectors and the substrate. Here we answer for the first time a long-term question within this enigmatic group of insects—how webspinners can use their front feet to spin their nanoscale silk. This knowledge may open the door for experimental studies on an artificial spinning process and for future utilization in applied fields of robotics or chemistry.
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three dimensional reconstruction on cell level case study elucidates the ultrastructure of the spinning apparatus of embia sp insecta Embioptera
Royal Society Open Science, 2016Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Thomas Hörnschemeyer, Christian FischerAbstract:Spinning is a phenomenon not only present in spiders, but also in many other arthropods. The functional morphology and complexity of spinning organs is often poorly understood. Their elements are m...
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The spinning apparatus of webspinners – functional-morphology, morphometrics and spinning behaviour
Scientific Reports, 2015Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Thomas Hörnschemeyer, Kyle Hohu, David Mcmillan, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:Webspinners (Insecta: Embioptera) have a distinctly unique behaviour with related morphological characteristics. Producing silk with the basitarsomeres of their forelegs plays a crucial role in the lives of these insects – providing shelter and protection. The correlation between body size, morphology and morphometrics of the spinning apparatus and the spinning behaviour of Embioptera was investigated for seven species using state-of-the-art methodology for behavioural as well as for morphological approaches. Independent contrast analysis revealed correlations between morphometric characters and body size. Larger webspinners in this study have glands with greater reservoir volume, but in proportionally smaller tarsi relative to body size than in the smaller species. Furthermore, we present a detailed description and review of the spinning apparatus in Embioptera in comparison to other arthropods and substantiate the possible homology of the Embiopteran silk glands to class III dermal silk glands of insects.
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spinning behaviour and morphology of the spinning glands in male and female aposthonia ceylonica enderlein 1912 Embioptera oligotomidae
Zoologischer Anzeiger – A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2012Co-Authors: Janice S. Edgerly, Sebastian Büsse, Thomas HörnschemeyerAbstract:Abstract Embioptera (webspinners) are unique among insects in that juvenile and adults of both sexes spin silk. They possess spinning apparatuses in the basitarsomeres of their prothoracic legs, which they use to build galleries as habitat and protection. Embioptera are primitively social and cooperate in building the galleries. They also show sexual dimorphism that comprises modifications of the mandibles in males, the winglessness of the females and differences in the morphology of the forelegs. In the present investigation we address the correlation of spinning behaviour and sexual dimorphism in the spinning apparatus of Aposthonia ceylonica (Enderlein, 1912). To analyse spinning behaviour we conducted video observations of Ap. ceylonica in artificial habitats. We observed females and males alone as well as female–male pairs to cover possible effects of interactions between sexes. The morphology of the spinning apparatus was analysed and reconstructed using high resolution X-ray computed tomography (SRμCT). The observations show that during trials of 24 h adult males and females produce similar amounts of silk per body weight, despite the fact that adult males do not feed, perhaps due to modifications of their mandibles related to courtship that interfere with feeding. Spinning glands in males are distinctly smaller than in females in absolute values, which reflect the general size difference in females and males. Despite their smaller body size, the volumes of reservoirs of spinning glands are larger in males in relative as well as in absolute values. Together with spinning behaviour and the amount of silk production, this indicates that males produce and store gland secretions in the large reservoirs prior to their final moult for later use.
Kyle Hohu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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choreography of silk spinning by webspinners insecta Embioptera reflects lifestyle and hints at phylogeny
Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, 2016Co-Authors: David M Mcmillan, Kyle Hohu, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:Silk spinning defines the morphologically constrained Embiopterans. All individuals spin for protection, including immatures, adult males and the wingless females. Enlarged front tarsi are packed with silk glands and clothed with ejectors. They spin by stepping with their front feet and releasing silk against substrates and onto pre-existing silk, often cloth-like. Spinning is stereotypical and appears to differ between species in frequency and probability of transition between two spin-step positions. This spinning choreography was assessed using thousands of spin-steps scored in the laboratory for 22 species to test: (1) the body size hypothesis predicting that spinning would be more complex for larger species; and (2) the phylogeny hypothesis which predicted that spinning would display phylogenetic signal. Tests relied on published phylogenies for the order Embioptera. Independent contrast analysis revealed relationships between five spin characteristics and body size, whereby, for example, larger webspinners invested in relatively larger prothoracic tarsi used for spinning and in spin-steps that would yield expansive silk coverings. Spin-step dynamics displayed a phylogenetic signal for the frequency of six spin-steps and for 16 spin-step transitions. Discussion focuses on patterns revealed by analysis of phylogenetic signal and the relationship to life style and to recently discovered chemical characteristics of silk.
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The spinning apparatus of webspinners – functional-morphology, morphometrics and spinning behaviour
Scientific Reports, 2015Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Thomas Hörnschemeyer, Kyle Hohu, David Mcmillan, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:Webspinners (Insecta: Embioptera) have a distinctly unique behaviour with related morphological characteristics. Producing silk with the basitarsomeres of their forelegs plays a crucial role in the lives of these insects – providing shelter and protection. The correlation between body size, morphology and morphometrics of the spinning apparatus and the spinning behaviour of Embioptera was investigated for seven species using state-of-the-art methodology for behavioural as well as for morphological approaches. Independent contrast analysis revealed correlations between morphometric characters and body size. Larger webspinners in this study have glands with greater reservoir volume, but in proportionally smaller tarsi relative to body size than in the smaller species. Furthermore, we present a detailed description and review of the spinning apparatus in Embioptera in comparison to other arthropods and substantiate the possible homology of the Embiopteran silk glands to class III dermal silk glands of insects.
Thomas Hörnschemeyer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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three dimensional reconstruction on cell level case study elucidates the ultrastructure of the spinning apparatus of embia sp insecta Embioptera
Royal Society Open Science, 2016Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Thomas Hörnschemeyer, Christian FischerAbstract:Spinning is a phenomenon not only present in spiders, but also in many other arthropods. The functional morphology and complexity of spinning organs is often poorly understood. Their elements are m...
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The spinning apparatus of webspinners – functional-morphology, morphometrics and spinning behaviour
Scientific Reports, 2015Co-Authors: Sebastian Büsse, Thomas Hörnschemeyer, Kyle Hohu, David Mcmillan, Janice S. EdgerlyAbstract:Webspinners (Insecta: Embioptera) have a distinctly unique behaviour with related morphological characteristics. Producing silk with the basitarsomeres of their forelegs plays a crucial role in the lives of these insects – providing shelter and protection. The correlation between body size, morphology and morphometrics of the spinning apparatus and the spinning behaviour of Embioptera was investigated for seven species using state-of-the-art methodology for behavioural as well as for morphological approaches. Independent contrast analysis revealed correlations between morphometric characters and body size. Larger webspinners in this study have glands with greater reservoir volume, but in proportionally smaller tarsi relative to body size than in the smaller species. Furthermore, we present a detailed description and review of the spinning apparatus in Embioptera in comparison to other arthropods and substantiate the possible homology of the Embiopteran silk glands to class III dermal silk glands of insects.
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spinning behaviour and morphology of the spinning glands in male and female aposthonia ceylonica enderlein 1912 Embioptera oligotomidae
Zoologischer Anzeiger – A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2012Co-Authors: Janice S. Edgerly, Sebastian Büsse, Thomas HörnschemeyerAbstract:Abstract Embioptera (webspinners) are unique among insects in that juvenile and adults of both sexes spin silk. They possess spinning apparatuses in the basitarsomeres of their prothoracic legs, which they use to build galleries as habitat and protection. Embioptera are primitively social and cooperate in building the galleries. They also show sexual dimorphism that comprises modifications of the mandibles in males, the winglessness of the females and differences in the morphology of the forelegs. In the present investigation we address the correlation of spinning behaviour and sexual dimorphism in the spinning apparatus of Aposthonia ceylonica (Enderlein, 1912). To analyse spinning behaviour we conducted video observations of Ap. ceylonica in artificial habitats. We observed females and males alone as well as female–male pairs to cover possible effects of interactions between sexes. The morphology of the spinning apparatus was analysed and reconstructed using high resolution X-ray computed tomography (SRμCT). The observations show that during trials of 24 h adult males and females produce similar amounts of silk per body weight, despite the fact that adult males do not feed, perhaps due to modifications of their mandibles related to courtship that interfere with feeding. Spinning glands in males are distinctly smaller than in females in absolute values, which reflect the general size difference in females and males. Despite their smaller body size, the volumes of reservoirs of spinning glands are larger in males in relative as well as in absolute values. Together with spinning behaviour and the amount of silk production, this indicates that males produce and store gland secretions in the large reservoirs prior to their final moult for later use.
Claudia Szumik - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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New South American Ernbioptera
Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina, 2020Co-Authors: Claudia SzumikAbstract:Ten new species of South American Embioptera are described. Anisembia pificial sp. nov. (Bolivia), Chelicerca fangosa sp. nov. (Argentina), Chelicerca ittakua sp. nov. (Bolivia), Chelicerca yogsothoth sp. nov. (Venezuela) and Chelicerca yuca sp. nov. (Venezuela) for the family Anisembiidae; Diradius nougues sp. nov. (Argentina), Oligembia capote sp. nov. (Colornbia), Oligembia limon sp. nov. (Venezuela) and Oligembia arbol sp. nov. (Argentina and Bolivia) for Teratembiidae: Chromatoclothoda neblina sp. nov. (Venezuela) for Clothodidae. Biological information is provided for the argentinian species.
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gibocercus szumik and biguembia szumik Embioptera archembiidae new species and the potentiality of female traits
Zootaxa, 2017Co-Authors: Claudia Szumik, Raquel Gandolfo, Veronica PereyraAbstract:Two new species of Biguembia Szumik ( B. mirador n. sp. and B. troncol n. sp.) and one new species of Gibocercus Szumik ( G. podamita n. sp.) from Brazil are described and illustrated. The female of Gibocercus chaco Szumik is described for the first time. Female terminalia of both genera are redefined and redescribed for B. copo , G. chaco and G. beni . Additionally, a cladistic analysis using almost 100 morphological characters was developed. Both genera appear monophyletic and well supported by several synapomorphies. The results also indicate that some species are unjustified and therefore they are synonymized: Gibocercus magnus Ross, 2001 = Gibocercus beni Szumik, 1997; Gibocercus flavipes Ross, 2001 = Gibocercus nanai Szumik, 1997; Gibocercus napoa Ross, 2001 = Gibocercus sandrae Ross, 2001, all new synonymies. The relationships of the new species are discussed as well as the potentiality of female traits.
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Phylogeny of Embiopterans (Insecta)
Cladistics, 2008Co-Authors: Claudia Szumik, Janice S. Edgerly, Cheryl Y. HayashiAbstract:A cladistic analysis of Embiopterans, based on 157 species (representing 70% of the known genera) and 186 morphological characters, is presented, as well as a molecular analysis for 22 taxa using genes encoding 16S, 18S and 28S rDNA and COI. Species of all known families are included, except Andesembiidae Ross (specimens of which are in a private collection). The evidence presented supports the monophyly of four of the families (Australembiidae, Oligotomidae, Teratembiidae, and Anisembiidae). Notoligotomidae is paraphyletic and included within the Afro-neotropical family Archembiidae (which is also paraphyletic). The genera Embia, Cleomia, Macrembia, and Dihybocercus (Embiidae) form, together with Australembiidae, a group strongly supported by morphology; the position of the remaining genera of Embiidae has two quite different resolutions. Almost 80% of the genera of Anisembiidae recently described appear as either paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Contrary to the opinion of other specialists, the major groups as well as the monophyly of some families are supported by features which have been ignored in classical approaches to the systematics of Embioptera, such as the ovipositor and cephalic and leg structures, characters with an almost perfect fit.
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on new characters of the eggs of Embioptera with the description of a new species of saussurembia anisembiidae
Systematic Entomology, 2007Co-Authors: Janice S. Edgerly, Claudia Szumik, Chanel N MccreedyAbstract:Nine egg characters for eleven species of Embioptera are described for the first time. Egg variability indicates its potential use in taxonomy. Here, we analyse the correlation of this variability with the ordinal classification. In addition, a new species of Saussurembia (Anisembiidae) from Trinidad is described, including classical traits in the systematics of Embioptera (adult male and female), as well as general features of the egg and maternal behaviour.
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the higher classification of the order Embioptera a cladistic analysis
Cladistics, 1996Co-Authors: Claudia SzumikAbstract:Abstract A matrix of 41 Embiid taxa (representing the 8 formally recognized families of the Order) and 36 characters were cladistically analysed as a first attempt for understanding the higher classification of the Order Embioptera. The resulting trees were rooted with Clothodidae as the sister group of the other Embioptera. The results suggest that the current classification contains several artificial groups. With the rooting used, only Anisembiidae and Australembiidae are monophyletic. Embiidae is polyphyletic, as Australembiidae+ Notoligotomidae, Enveja (incertae sedis) and Oligotomidae+Teratembiidae appear within Embiidae, and the “embiid” Microembia appears within Notoligotomidae. Oligotomidae is paraphyletic in terms of Teratembiidae. Four of the genera included in the analysis are paraphyletic: Mesembia, Chelicerca (in terms of Dactylocerca and Pelorembia ), Aposthonia (in terms of Oligotoma ), and Metoligotoma (in terms of Australembia ). Pelorembia and Dactylocerca are synonymized with Chelicerca .