You may never have met up with one in
real-life, but most likely have seen an image, model, or nature show
depicting a rhinoceros beetle. Growing up to 6 inches, they are among
some of the largest and impressive beetles on Earth. The male
rhinoceros beetles exhibit sizable horns on the head and thorax.
These horns are a variety of shapes and sizes. Although they look
daunting, members of this group of beetle are harmless to humans due
to their inability to bite or sting. The male beetles use their horns
to fight other males over female beetles. Each member of this beetle
group has a different method of battling their opponents.
Scientists at the University of
Missoula had a theory that the shape of the beetle's horns was
adapted to their specific fighting style. They believed that the
shape of the horns would put them at a disadvantage if they fought
with any other method. To test this hypothesis they built
biomechanical models of the horns of 3 different species of
rhinoceros beetles. The models were tested by submitting them to 3
different types of force: pressure from above and the side and
twisting. Sure enough, they found that each type of horns showed the
least amount of stress when it experienced a similar force to that of
which the actual beetle experiences. The method the beetle used to
fight was the method best suited to the shape of the horn. The
researchers found that the key to these advantages in battle did not
have to do with how large or ornamental the horns were. They
concluded it was the shape of the cross section of the horns. After
Micro-CT scans the scientists found that fairly small differences in
the shape of this part of the horn could make a big difference in how
the beetles fight.
We see time and time again how
adaptations in plants and animals such as the horns on beetles, the
beak shape of birds, or the chemicals a plant produces, make a huge
difference in the success of these organisms. The adaptation of form
to function and the diversity of life on this planet continues to be
logical, smart and awe-inspiring all at the same time.
Read more:
Plant and Animal Adaptation Activities
and Resources:
Scholastic's StudyJams (interactive) on
Animal Adaptations
"Our Wild Neighbors"
(interactive website) from the National Park Service
Animal Adaptations Educational
Interactive Websites
NHPTV's "Natureworks"
streaming episode: Adaptation
Science Fair Project: Plant Neighbors:
Friends or Foes? Plant Adaptations- Written and Developed by me!
No comments:
Post a Comment