Lubrication and Surface Properties of Roach Cuticle

Cooper, Rodrigo; Lee, H.; González, Jorge M.; Butler, John; Vinson, S. Bradleigh; Liang, Hong

doi:10.1115/1.3002327

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Prior to the electrode implantation and backpack placement, discoid cockroaches were anaesthetized using carbon dioxide for 10-15 s. Next, a cotton swap soaked in acetone was used to carefully remove the thin layer of wax on the pronotum and top wings [21]. White correction fluid was then used to secure the wings in place, in preparation for backpack's attachment.…”

Section: Hybrid System Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Locomotion control of hybrid cockroach robots

Sánchez

Chiu

Zhou

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Natural systems retain significant advantages over engineered systems in many aspects, including size and versatility. In this research, we develop a hybrid robotic system using American (Periplaneta americana) and discoid (Blaberus discoidalis) cockroaches that uses the natural locomotion and robustness of the insect. A tethered control system was firstly characterized using American cockroaches, wherein implanted electrodes were used to apply an electrical stimulus to the prothoracic ganglia. Using this approach, larger discoid cockroaches were engineered into a remotely controlled hybrid robotic system. Locomotion control was achieved through electrical stimulation of the prothoracic ganglia, via a remotely operated backpack system and implanted electrodes. The backpack consisted of a microcontroller with integrated transceiver protocol, and a rechargeable battery. The hybrid discoid roach was able to walk, and turn in response to an electrical stimulus to its nervous system with high repeatability of 60%.

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Section: Hybrid System Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Locomotion control of hybrid cockroach robots

Sánchez

Chiu

Zhou

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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“…These compounds typically have a lower melting point compared to linear and branched alkanes (Gibbs & Pomonis, 1995), making the cuticle more fluid, even at room temperature (Menzel et al, 2019). The presence of this class of compound is important because, together with the other classes that form the cuticle, they increase its melting range and also influence its viscosity, but also to ensure efficiency in the performance of other functions performed by cuticular composition (Gibbs, 2002;Menzel et al, 2019), such as communication (Blomquist & Bagnères, 2010), cuticle lubrication (Cooper et al, 2009) and protection against microorganisms (Howard & Blomquist, 2005;Turillazzi et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropic action affects the cuticular chemical profile of social wasps

et al. 2022

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As a result of environmental change by anthropic action, animal species that inhabit these areas may suffer the effects of it on their phenotypes as a consequence of adapting to these conditions. In the case of social wasps, cuticular chemical compounds may be influenced, since these vary depending on genetic and environmental factors. However, few studies have investigated the synanthropic effects over the cuticular surface of social wasps. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how cuticular compounds vary according to the different degrees of human activity and test the hypothesis that cuticular compounds of social wasps are affected by the level of anthropic activity in which their nests are found. Data on the cuticular chemical compounds composition of colonies of 3 species of social wasps were used along with the level of anthropization of their nesting sites in four municipalities in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. From the geographical coordinates of the sampling sites, the percentages of urban construction areas, agriculture, water body, vegetation and exposed land were calculated, and the nesting sites of the colonies were classified as more or less anthropized areas. The chemical profile was determined by extraction of cuticular compounds and analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). The results show that the cuticular chemical composition of the individuals of these species is affected by the level of anthropization in their nesting sites, with a qualitative and quantitative variation that must be tied not only to genetic differences, but, above all, to the local environmental conditions to which their colonies are subjected.

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“…Indeed, diffusion of both solid and liquid CHCs across the insect body has been shown in potato beetles (Geiselhardt et al, 2010). Liquid parts of the CHC layer may also be essential for the repair of scratches (Wigglesworth, 1945) and the lubrication of joints (Cooper et al, 2009). Secondly, hydrocarbon diffusion should be important for nestmate recognition.…”

Section: Viscosity: Similar Viscosities Across Species Despite Variabmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Especially in social insects, CHCs encode a plethora of information, regulating (amongst other things) nestmate recognition and the division of labour within a colony (Leonhardt et al, 2016). Less well-studied functions of CHC include foot adhesion via CHC droplets (Drechsler and Federle, 2006), lubrication of the cuticle (Cooper et al, 2009), and presumably the formation of a barrier against microorganisms (Howard and Blomquist, 2005). The complexity of CHC profiles makes it challenging to understand how CHC layers can serve all functions at the same time, especially because different functions may pose conflicting requirements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication vs. waterproofing: the physics of insect cuticular hydrocarbons

Menzel

Morsbach

Martens

et al. 2019

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Understanding the evolution of complex traits is among the major challenges in biology. One such trait is the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) layer in insects. It protects against desiccation and provides communication signals, especially in social insects. CHC composition is highly diverse within and across species. To understand the adaptive value of this chemical diversity, we must understand how it affects biological functionality. So far, CHCs have received ample research attention, but their physical properties were little studied. We argue that these properties determine their biological functionality, and are vital to understanding how CHC composition affects their adaptive value. We investigated melting behaviour and viscosity of CHCs from 11 ant species using differential scanning calorimetry and a novel microrheological technique. CHCs began melting below −45°C, and often were entirely liquid only above 30°C. Thus, they formed a solid-liquid mixture under ambient conditions, which contrasts to previous assumptions of entirely solid layers in many species. This may be adaptive as only biphasic CHC layers ensure uniform coating of the insect body, which is necessary for waterproofing. CHC viscosity was mostly between 0.1 and 0.2 Pa s −1 , thus similar to motor oils. Surprisingly, chemically different CHC profiles had similar viscosities, suggesting that a certain viscosity level is adaptive and ensures that communication signals can be perceived. With this study, we draw attention to the importance of studying the physics of CHC layers. Only by understanding how chemical and physical mechanisms enable CHC functionality can we understand the causes and consequences of CHC diversification.

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Lubrication and Surface Properties of Roach Cuticle

Cited by 8 publications

References 11 publications

Locomotion control of hybrid cockroach robots

Locomotion control of hybrid cockroach robots

Anthropic action affects the cuticular chemical profile of social wasps

Communication vs. waterproofing: the physics of insect cuticular hydrocarbons

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