Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes

Abstract The asymmetric mandibles of termites are hypothetically more efficient, rapid, and powerful than the symmetric mandibles of snap-jaw ants or termites. We investigated the velocity, force, precision, and defensive performance of the asymmetric mandibular snaps of a termite species, Pericapri...

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Autores principales:	Kuan-Chih Kuan, Chun-I Chiu, Ming-Chih Shih, Kai-Jung Chi, Hou-Feng Li
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2020
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/b88c296768724dedbd2223eff4381024
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:b88c296768724dedbd2223eff43810242021-12-02T17:52:14ZTermite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes10.1038/s41598-020-66294-12045-2322https://doaj.org/article/b88c296768724dedbd2223eff43810242020-06-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66294-1https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract The asymmetric mandibles of termites are hypothetically more efficient, rapid, and powerful than the symmetric mandibles of snap-jaw ants or termites. We investigated the velocity, force, precision, and defensive performance of the asymmetric mandibular snaps of a termite species, Pericapritermes nitobei. Ultrahigh-speed recordings of termites revealed a new record in biological movement, with a peak linear velocity of 89.7–132.4 m/s within 8.68 μs after snapping, which caused an impact force of 105.8–156.2 mN. High-speed video recordings of ball-strike experiments on termites were analysed using the principle of energy conservation; the left mandibles precisely hit metal balls at the left-to-front side with a maximum linear velocity of 80.3 ± 15.9 m/s (44.0–107.7 m/s) and an impact force of 94.7 ± 18.8 mN (51.9–127.1 mN). In experimental fights between termites and ant predators, Pe. nitobei killed 90–100% of the generalist ants with a single snap and was less likely to harm specialist ponerine ants. Compared with other forms, the asymmetric snapping mandibles of Pe. nitobei required less elastic energy to achieve high velocity. Moreover, the ability of P. nitobei to strike its target at the front side is advantageous for defence in tunnels.Kuan-Chih KuanChun-I ChiuMing-Chih ShihKai-Jung ChiHou-Feng LiNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 10, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2020)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Kuan-Chih Kuan Chun-I Chiu Ming-Chih Shih Kai-Jung Chi Hou-Feng Li Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes
description	Abstract The asymmetric mandibles of termites are hypothetically more efficient, rapid, and powerful than the symmetric mandibles of snap-jaw ants or termites. We investigated the velocity, force, precision, and defensive performance of the asymmetric mandibular snaps of a termite species, Pericapritermes nitobei. Ultrahigh-speed recordings of termites revealed a new record in biological movement, with a peak linear velocity of 89.7–132.4 m/s within 8.68 μs after snapping, which caused an impact force of 105.8–156.2 mN. High-speed video recordings of ball-strike experiments on termites were analysed using the principle of energy conservation; the left mandibles precisely hit metal balls at the left-to-front side with a maximum linear velocity of 80.3 ± 15.9 m/s (44.0–107.7 m/s) and an impact force of 94.7 ± 18.8 mN (51.9–127.1 mN). In experimental fights between termites and ant predators, Pe. nitobei killed 90–100% of the generalist ants with a single snap and was less likely to harm specialist ponerine ants. Compared with other forms, the asymmetric snapping mandibles of Pe. nitobei required less elastic energy to achieve high velocity. Moreover, the ability of P. nitobei to strike its target at the front side is advantageous for defence in tunnels.
format	article
author	Kuan-Chih Kuan Chun-I Chiu Ming-Chih Shih Kai-Jung Chi Hou-Feng Li
author_facet	Kuan-Chih Kuan Chun-I Chiu Ming-Chih Shih Kai-Jung Chi Hou-Feng Li
author_sort	Kuan-Chih Kuan
title	Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes
title_short	Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes
title_full	Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes
title_fullStr	Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes
title_full_unstemmed	Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes
title_sort	termite’s twisted mandible presents fast, powerful, and precise strikes
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2020
url	https://doaj.org/article/b88c296768724dedbd2223eff4381024
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Termite’s Twisted Mandible Presents Fast, Powerful, and Precise Strikes

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