Oscillation of the velvet worm slime jet by passiv... - BV FAPESP
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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Oscillation of the velvet worm slime jet by passive hydrodynamic instability

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Author(s):
Concha, Andres [1] ; Mellado, Paula [1] ; Morera-Brenes, Bernal [2] ; Costa, Cristiano Sampaio [3] ; Mahadevan, L. [4, 5] ; Monge-Najera, Julian [6]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Adolfo Ibanez Univ, Sch Sci & Engn, Santiago 7941169 - Chile
[2] Univ Nacl Costa Rica, Escuela Ciencias Biol, Lab Genet Evolut, Heredia 863000 - Costa Rica
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biosci, Dept Zool, BR-11461 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Harvard Univ, Sch Engn & Appl Sci, Cambridge, MA 02138 - USA
[5] Harvard Univ, Dept Phys, Cambridge, MA 02138 - USA
[6] Univ Costa Rica, Trop Biol, San Jose 2060 - Costa Rica
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 6, MAR 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 10
Abstract

The rapid squirt of a proteinaceous slime jet endows velvet worms (Onychophora) with a unique mechanism for defence from predators and for capturing prey by entangling them in a disordered web that immobilizes their target. However, to date, neither qualitative nor quantitative descriptions have been provided for this unique adaptation. Here we investigate the fast oscillatory motion of the oral papillae and the exiting liquid jet that oscillates with frequencies f similar to 30-60 Hz. Using anatomical images, high-speed videography, theoretical analysis and a physical simulacrum, we show that this fast oscillatory motion is the result of an elastohydrodynamic instability driven by the interplay between the elasticity of oral papillae and the fast unsteady flow during squirting. Our results demonstrate how passive strategies can be cleverly harnessed by organisms, while suggesting future oscillating microfluidic devices, as well as novel ways for micro and nanofibre production using bioinspired strategies. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/02969-6 - Systematics of the genus Epiperipatus Clark, 1913 based on molecular and morphological data (Onychophora: Peripatidae)
Grantee:Ricardo Pinto da Rocha
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/20211-0 - Systematic and phylogenetic analysis of Epiperipatus Clark, 1913 based on molecular and morphological data (Onychophora, Peripatidae)
Grantee:Cristiano Sampaio Costa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate