Open AccessIn vivo visualization of butterfly scale cell morphogenesis in Vanessa cardui
Author(s) -
Anthony D. McDougal,
Sungsam Kang,
Zahid Yaqoob,
Peter T. C. So,
Mathias Kolle
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2112009118
Subject(s) - morphogenesis , scale (ratio) , butterfly , microrheology , biological system , biology , physics , ecology , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , viscoelasticity , gene , thermodynamics
Significance Many organisms exhibit functional micro- and nanoscale materials with structural definition and performance that challenge synthetic fabrication techniques, yet we know little about the processes that enable their formation. Using butterfly scales as a model system for functional biomaterials, we establish a timeline of scale formation and quantify relevant structural parameters for developing painted lady butterflies. We overcome challenges of previous efforts by imaging structure formation directly in living organisms, which allows us to continuously observe the evolving wing tissue and the fine details of individual scale cells. Visualization of scale structure formation in live butterflies forms the basis for modeling the underlying biomechanical processes and opens avenues for their translation into advanced fabrication strategies.