Oscillation of the velvet worm slime jet by passive hydrodynamic instability

Nature Communications
Andrés ConchaJulián Monge-Nájera

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~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.

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Citations

Oct 30, 2015·ACS Nano·Gaurav AmarpuriAli Dhinojwala
Oct 7, 2016·Invertebrate Biology : a Quarterly Journal of the American Microscopical Society and the Division of Invertebrate Zoology/ASZ·Russell J GarwoodGonzalo Giribet
Jan 31, 2018·Scientific Reports·Wonseok LeeDae Sung Yoon
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Oct 19, 2017·Nature Communications·Alexander BaerMatthew J Harrington
Dec 12, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Stefan Schuster
May 22, 2019·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Alexander BaerMatthew J Harrington
Mar 18, 2021·Soft Matter·Patrick A RühsPeter Fischer
Dec 16, 2020·ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·Antonio R CerulloAdam B Braunschweig
Aug 25, 2021·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Caitlin M BakerGonzalo Giribet

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
scanning electron microscopy

Software Mentioned

Olympus Studio

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