Erection mechanism of glossal hairs during honeybee feeding. (7th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Jieliang; Wu, Jianing; Yan, Shaoze
• Is Part Of: Journal of theoretical biology. Volume 386(2015)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2015-12-07
• Subjects: Honeybee -- Glossal hair -- Erection mechanism -- Hyaline rod -- Segmental sheath; Biology -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Périodiques; Theoretische biologie; Biology; Periodicals; 571.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5193

Abstract

Abstract: Many animals use their mouthparts or tongue to feed themselves rapidly and efficiently. Honeybees have evolved specialized tongues to collect nectar from flowers. Nectar-intake movements consist of rapid protraction and retraction of glossa from a tube formed by the maxillae and labial palps. We establish a physical model to reveal the driving mechanism of hair erection. Results indicate that the glossa of honeybees is similar to a compression spring. Experimental results show that hair erection is generated by the tension of hyaline rod and the elasticity of segmental sheath. The retractor muscle of hyaline rod is contracted at first, which compresses the sheath of pigmented rings and flattens the hairs. While the retractor muscle of hyaline rod relaxes, the elastic energy storage in the compressed glossal sheath will release to change the equivalent stiffness of glossal sheath and erect glossal hairs. These results explain the erection mechanism of glossal hairs during honeybee feeding. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Hair erection is generated by the tension of hyaline rod and elasticity of sheath. A physical model is established to reveal the mechanism of hair erection. Results indicate that the glossa of honeybee is just like a compression spring.