School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
BMC Biol. 2024 May 31;22(1):129. doi: 10.1186/s12915-024-01930-0.
The female locust is equipped with unique digging tools, namely two pairs of valves-a dorsal and a ventral-utilized for excavating an underground hole in which she lays her eggs. This apparatus ensures that the eggs are protected from potential predators and provides optimal conditions for successful hatching. The dorsal and the ventral valves are assigned distinct roles in the digging process. Specifically, the ventral valves primarily function as anchors during propagation, while the dorsal valves displace soil and shape the underground tunnel.
In this study, we investigated the noticeable asymmetry and distinct shapes of the valves, using a geometrical model and a finite element method. Our analysis revealed that although the two pairs of valves share morphological similarities, they exhibit different 3D characteristics in terms of absolute size and structure. We introduced a structural characteristic, the skew of the valve cross-section, to quantify the differences between the two pairs of valves. Our findings indicate that these structural variations do not significantly contribute to the valves' load-bearing capabilities under external forces.
The evolutionary development of the form of the female locust digging valves is more aligned with fitting their respective functions rather than solely responding to biomechanical support needs. By understanding the intricate features of these locust valves, and using our geometrical model, valuable insights can be obtained for creating more efficient and specialized tools for various digging applications.
雌性蝗虫拥有独特的挖掘工具，即两对瓣膜——背瓣和腹瓣——用于挖掘地下洞穴以产卵。这个装置确保了卵免受潜在捕食者的侵害，并为成功孵化提供了最佳条件。在挖掘过程中，背瓣和腹瓣发挥着不同的作用。具体来说，腹瓣在繁殖过程中主要起锚的作用，而背瓣则移土并塑造地下隧道。
在这项研究中，我们使用几何模型和有限元方法研究了瓣膜明显的不对称性和不同的形状。我们的分析表明，尽管两对瓣膜具有相似的形态，但它们在绝对大小和结构方面表现出不同的 3D 特征。我们引入了一个结构特征，即瓣膜横截面的偏斜，来量化两对瓣膜之间的差异。我们的研究结果表明，这些结构上的差异对瓣膜在外力作用下的承载能力没有显著影响。
雌性蝗虫挖掘瓣膜形式的进化发展更多地与其各自的功能相适应，而不仅仅是对生物力学支撑需求的响应。通过了解这些蝗虫瓣膜的复杂特征，并使用我们的几何模型，可以为各种挖掘应用创造更高效、更专业化的工具提供有价值的见解。
