A spider's biological vibration filter: Micromechanical characteristics of a biomaterial surface

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Seth L. Young - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Marius Chyasnavichyus - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Maxim Erko - , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Author)
  • Friedrich G. Barth - , University of Vienna (Author)
  • Peter Fratzl - , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Author)
  • Igor Zlotnikov - , Multi-scale Analysis (Junior Research Group), Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Author)
  • Yael Politi - , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Author)
  • Vladimir V. Tsukruk - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)

Abstract

A strain-sensing lyriform organ (HS-10) found on all of the legs of a Central American wandering spider (Cupiennius salei) detects courtship, prey and predator vibrations transmitted by the plant on which it sits. It has been suggested that the viscoelastic properties of a cuticular pad directly adjacent to the sensory organ contribute to the organ's pronounced high-pass characteristics. Here, we investigate the micromechanical properties of the cuticular pad biomaterial in search of a deeper understanding of its impact on the function of the vibration sensor. These properties are considered to be an effective adaptation for the selective detection of signals for frequencies >40 Hz. Using surface force spectroscopy mapping we determine the elastic modulus of the pad surface over a temperature range of 15-40 °C at various loading frequencies. In the glassy state, the elastic modulus was ∼100 MPa, while in the rubbery state the elastic modulus decreased to 20 MPa. These data are analyzed according to the principle of time-temperature superposition to construct a master curve that relates mechanical properties, temperature and stimulus frequencies. By estimating the loss and storage moduli vs. temperature and frequency it was possible to make a direct comparison with electrophysiology experiments, and it was found that the dissipation of energy occurs within a frequency window whose position is controlled by environmental temperatures.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4832-4842
Number of pages11
JournalActa biomaterialia
Volume10
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2014
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 25065547
ORCID /0000-0002-2872-8277/work/142239163

Keywords

Keywords

  • Atomic force spectroscopy, Biomechanics, Biosensor materials, Stimulus transmission, Viscoelasticity

Library keywords