PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
The female locust lays its eggs deep within soft substrate to protect them from predators and provide optimal conditions for successful development and hatching. During oviposition digging, the female\'s abdomen is pooled and extends into the ground, guided by a dedicated excavation mechanism at its tip, comprising two pairs of specialized digging valves. Little is known about how these active valves negotiate the various obstacles encountered on their path. In this study, female locusts oviposited their eggs in specialized sand-filled tubes with pre-inserted 3D-printed plastic obstacles. The subterranean route taken by the abdomen and digging valves upon encountering the obstacles was investigated, characterized, and compared to that in control tubes without obstacles. Data were obtained by way of visual inspection, by utilizing cone beam computed tomography scans in high-definition mode, and by making paraffin casts of the oviposition burrows (after egg hatching). We demonstrate, for the first time, the subterranean navigation ability of the female locust\'s excavation mechanism and its ability to circumvent obstacles during oviposition. Finally, we discuss the role of active sensory-motor mechanisms versus the passive embodied function of the valves, central control, and decision-making.
摘要：
雌性蝗虫在柔软的基质中产卵，以保护它们免受捕食者的侵害，并为成功的发育和孵化提供最佳条件。在产卵挖掘期间，女性的腹部被汇集并延伸到地面，在其尖端的专用挖掘机制的指导下，包括两对专门的挖掘阀。关于这些主动阀如何应对其路径上遇到的各种障碍知之甚少。在这项研究中,雌性蝗虫在带有预先插入的3D打印塑料障碍物的专用沙子填充管中产卵。调查了腹部和挖掘阀门在遇到障碍物时采取的地下路线，characterized,与没有障碍物的控制管相比。数据是通过目测获得的，通过在高清模式下利用锥形束计算机断层扫描，并通过制作产卵洞穴的石蜡模型（卵孵化后）。我们证明,第一次,雌性蝗虫挖掘机制的地下导航能力及其在产卵过程中规避障碍物的能力。最后,我们讨论了主动感觉运动机制与阀门被动体现功能的作用，中央控制,和决策。
