The Last Breath: A μCT-based method for investigating the tracheal system in Hexapoda

Iwan, Dariusz; Kamiński, Marcin Jan; Raś, Marcin

doi:10.1016/j.asd.2015.02.002

Cited by 32 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…; Iwan et al. ). It is connected to the atmosphere by spiracles, which lie laterally on body segments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Iwan et al. ). Functional modifications are introduced during each ecdysis (Loudon, ; Callier & Nijhout, ; Helm & Davidowitz, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Although this model was proposed for flies, it can be also applied to beetles (Iwan et al. ). Another scheme of post‐embryonic development of the tracheal system was described for the fruit fly ( Drosophila melanogaster ) (Whitten, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The tracheal system in post‐embryonic development of holometabolous insects: a case study using the mealworm beetle

2018

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The tracheal (respiratory) system is regarded as one of the key elements which enabled insects to conquer terrestrial habitats and, as a result, achieve extreme species diversity. Despite this fact, anatomical data concerning this biological system is relatively scarce, especially in an ontogenetic context. The purpose of this study is to provide novel and reliable information on the post-embryonic development of the tracheal system of holometabolous insects using micro-computed tomography methods. Data concerning the structure of the respiratory system acquired from different developmental stages (larvae, pupae and adults) of a single insect species (Tenebrio molitor) are co-analysed in detail. Anatomy of the tracheal system is presented. Sample sizes used (29 individuals) enabled statistical analysis of the results obtained. The following aspects have been investigated (among others): the spiracle arrangement, the number of tracheal ramifications originating from particular spiracles, the diameter of longitudinal trunks, tracheal system volumes, tracheae diameter distribution and fractal dimension analysis. Based on the data acquired, the modularity of the tracheal system is postulated. Using anatomical and functional factors, the following respiratory module types have been distinguished: cephalo-prothoracic, metathoracic and abdominal. These modules can be unambiguously identified in all of the studied developmental stages. A cephalo-prothoracic module aerates organs located in the head capsule, prothorax and additionally prolegs. It is characterised by relatively thick longitudinal trunks and originates in the first thoracic spiracle pair. Thoracic modules support the flight muscles, wings, elytra, meso- and metalegs. The unique feature of this module is the presence of additional longitudinal connections between the neighbouring spiracles. These modules are concentrated around the second prothoracic and the first abdominal spiracle pairs. An abdominal module is characterised by relatively thin ventral longitudinal trunks. Its main role is to support systems located in the abdomen; however, its long visceral tracheae aerate organs situated medially from the flight muscles. Analysis of changes of the tracheal system volume enabled the calculation of growth scaling among body tissues and the volume of the tracheal system. The data presented show that the development of the body volume and tracheal system is not linear in holometabola due to the occurrence of the pupal stage causing a decrease in body volume in the imago and at the same time influencing high growth rates of the tracheal system during metamorphosis, exceeding that ones observed for hemimetabola.

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“…; Iwan et al. ). It is connected to the atmosphere by spiracles, which lie laterally on body segments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Iwan et al. ). Functional modifications are introduced during each ecdysis (Loudon, ; Callier & Nijhout, ; Helm & Davidowitz, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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The tracheal system in post‐embryonic development of holometabolous insects: a case study using the mealworm beetle

2018

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“…During all of our scans, the X-ray source was set to a voltage of 40 kV and a current of 250 mA. We obtained the images using 4×4 binning mode (Raś and Kamiński 2013;Iwan et al 2015). The "oversize scan" option was used during all scans.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5D). For details of the CPD protocol, see Iwan et al 2015. Select features illustrated on SEM and micro-CT images were colored in Photoshop CS5.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amphi-Indian Ocean Disjunction in the Trans-Pacific GenusArchaeoglenesBrown (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Phrenapatinae): New Taxonomic and Distributional Data

Iwan

Kamiński

Raś

2015

The Coleopterists Bulletin

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X‐ray computed tomography and its potential in ecological research: A review of studies and optimization of specimen preparation

Gutiérrez

Ott

Töpperwien

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Imaging techniques are a cornerstone of contemporary biology. Over the last decades, advances in microscale imaging techniques have allowed fascinating new insights into cell and tissue morphology and internal anatomy of organisms across kingdoms. However, most studies so far provided snapshots of given reference taxa, describing organs and tissues under “idealized” conditions. Surprisingly, there is an almost complete lack of studies investigating how an organism′s internal morphology changes in response to environmental drivers. Consequently, ecology as a scientific discipline has so far almost neglected the possibilities arising from modern microscale imaging techniques. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments of X‐ray computed tomography as an affordable, simple method of high spatial resolution, allowing insights into three‐dimensional anatomy both in vivo and ex vivo. We review ecological studies using this technique to investigate the three‐dimensional internal structure of organisms. In addition, we provide practical comparisons between different preparation techniques for maximum contrast and tissue differentiation. In particular, we consider the novel modality of phase contrast by self‐interference of the X‐ray wave behind an object (i.e., phase contrast by free space propagation). Using the cricket Acheta domesticus (L.) as model organism, we found that the combination of FAE fixative and iodine staining provided the best results across different tissues. The drying technique also affected contrast and prevented artifacts in specific cases. Overall, we found that for the interests of ecological studies, X‐ray computed tomography is useful when the tissue or structure of interest has sufficient contrast that allows for an automatic or semiautomatic segmentation. In particular, we show that reconstruction schemes which exploit phase contrast can yield enhanced image quality. Combined with suitable specimen preparation and automated analysis, X‐ray CT can therefore become a promising quantitative 3D imaging technique to study organisms′ responses to environmental drivers, in both ecology and evolution.

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The Last Breath: A μCT-based method for investigating the tracheal system in Hexapoda

Cited by 32 publications

References 27 publications

The tracheal system in post‐embryonic development of holometabolous insects: a case study using the mealworm beetle

The tracheal system in post‐embryonic development of holometabolous insects: a case study using the mealworm beetle

Amphi-Indian Ocean Disjunction in the Trans-Pacific GenusArchaeoglenesBrown (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Phrenapatinae): New Taxonomic and Distributional Data

X‐ray computed tomography and its potential in ecological research: A review of studies and optimization of specimen preparation

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