@article{oliveira_smith_2024, title={A morphofunctional study of the jumping apparatus in globular springtails}, volume={79}, ISSN={["1873-5495"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.asd.2024.101333}, abstractNote={Springtails are notable for their jumping apparatus and latch-mediated spring mechanism. The challenge, in the light of the tiny size and rapid movement of these organisms, has been to understand the morphological intricacies of this spring system. This study takes an approach that integrates SEM, MicroCT, cLSM and high-speed video recordings to understand the composition and functionality of the jumping apparatus in Megalothorax minimus (Neelipleona), Dicyrtomina ornata and Dicyrtomina minuta (Symphypleona). We focus on reconstructing, describing, and understanding the functioning of structures such as basal plates, musculature and furca. The dimensions of the jumping apparatus in Dicyrtomina and Megalothorax differ significantly from those in elongated springtails. A hypothesis of functional coherence between taxa, based on muscle connections and basal plates, is postulated. High-speed video recordings provide information on: 1) furca release timing and function during jumping and self-righting; 2) performance properties of manubrium, dens and mucro in interaction with the ground and in take-off; 3) possible pre-release furca moves. The study underscores the need for further research employing a variety of visualization methods in order to explore additional aspects such as retinaculum unlatching and furca flexion/extension muscles.}, journal={ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT}, author={Oliveira, Fabio G. L. and Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2024}, month={Mar} }
 @article{bertone_gibson_seago_yoshida_smith_2022, title={A novel power-amplified jumping behavior in larval beetles (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae)}, volume={17}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256509}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0256509}, abstractNote={Larval insects use many methods for locomotion. Here we describe a previously unknown jumping behavior in a group of beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae). We analyze and describe this behavior in Laemophloeus biguttatus and provide information on similar observations for another laemophloeid species, Placonotus testaceus. Laemophloeus biguttatus larvae precede jumps by arching their body while gripping the substrate with their legs over a period of 0.22 ± 0.17s. This is followed by a rapid ventral curling of the body after the larvae releases its grip that launches them into the air. Larvae reached takeoff velocities of 0.47 ± 0.15 m s-1 and traveled 11.2 ± 2.8 mm (1.98 ± 0.8 body lengths) horizontally and 7.9 ± 4.3 mm (1.5 ± 0.9 body lengths) vertically during their jumps. Conservative estimates of power output revealed that some but not all jumps can be explained by direct muscle power alone, suggesting Laemophloeus biguttatus may use a latch-mediated spring actuation mechanism (LaMSA) in which interaction between the larvae’s legs and the substrate serves as the latch. MicroCT scans and SEM imaging of larvae did not reveal any notable modifications that would aid in jumping. Although more in-depth experiments could not be performed to test hypotheses on the function of these jumps, we posit that this behavior is used for rapid locomotion which is energetically more efficient than crawling the same distance to disperse from their ephemeral habitat. We also summarize and discuss jumping behaviors among insect larvae for additional context of this behavior in laemophloeid beetles.}, number={1}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Bertone, Matthew A. and Gibson, Joshua C. and Seago, Ainsley E. and Yoshida, Takahiro and Smith, Adrian A.}, editor={Barden, PhillipEditor}, year={2022}, month={Jan} }
 @article{ruzi_lee_smith_2021, title={Testing how different narrative perspectives achieve communication objectives and goals in online natural science videos}, volume={16}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0257866}, abstractNote={Communication of science through online media has become a primary means of disseminating and connecting science with a public audience. However, online media can come in many forms and stories of scientific discovery can be told by many individuals. We tested whether the relationship of a spokesperson to the science story being told (i.e., the narrative perspective) influences how people react and respond to online science media. We created five video stimuli that fell into three treatments: a scientist presenting their own research (male or female), a third-party summarizing research (male or female), and an infographic-like video with no on-screen presenter. Each of these videos presented the same fabricated science story about the discovery of a new ant species (Formicidae). We used Qualtrics to administer and obtain survey responses from 515 participants (~100 per video). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the videos and after viewing the stimulus answered questions assessing their perceptions of the video (trustworthiness and enjoyment), the spokesperson (trustworthiness and competence), scientists in general (competence and warmth), and attitudes towards the research topic and funding. Participants were also asked to recall what they had seen and heard. We determined that when participants watched a video in which a scientist presented their own research, participants perceived the spokesperson as having more expertise than a third-party presenter, and as more trustworthy and having more expertise than the no-spokesperson stimuli. Viewing a scientist presenting their own work also humanized the research, with participants more often including a person in their answer to the recall question. Overall, manipulating the narrative perspective of the source of a single online video communication effort is effective at impacting immediate objective outcomes related to spokesperson perceptions, but whether those objectives can positively influence long-term goals requires more investigation.}, number={10}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Ruzi, Selina A. and Lee, Nicole M. and Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }
 @article{halawani_dunn_grunden_smith_2020, title={Bacterial exposure leads to variable mortality but not a measurable increase in surface antimicrobials across ant species}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2167-8359"]}, DOI={10.7717/peerj.10412}, abstractNote={Social insects have co-existed with microbial species for millions of years and have evolved a diversity of collective defenses, including the use of antimicrobials. While many studies have revealed strategies that ants use against microbial entomopathogens, and several have shown ant-produced compounds inhibit environmental bacterial growth, few studies have tested whether exposure to environmental bacteria represents a health threat to ants. We compare four ant species’ responses to exposure to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria in order to broaden our understanding of microbial health-threats to ants and their ability to defend against them. In a first experiment, we measure worker mortality of Solenopsis invicta, Brachymyrmex chinensis, Aphaenogaster rudis, and Dorymyrmex bureni in response to exposure to E. coli and S. epidermidis. We found that exposure to E. coli was lethal for S. invicta and D. bureni, while all other effects of exposure were not different from experimental controls. In a second experiment, we compared the antimicrobial ability of surface extracts from bacteria-exposed and non-exposed S. invicta and B. chinensis worker ants, to see if exposure to E. coli or S. epidermidis led to an increase in antimicrobial compounds. We found no difference in the inhibitory effects from either treatment group in either species. Our results demonstrate the susceptibility to bacteria is varied across ant species. This variation may correlate with an ant species’ use of surface antimicrobials, as we found significant mortality effects in species which also were producing antimicrobials. Further exploration of a wide range of both bacteria and ant species is likely to reveal unique and nuanced antimicrobial strategies and deepen our understanding of how ant societies respond to microbial health threats.}, journal={PEERJ}, author={Halawani, Omar and Dunn, Robert R. and Grunden, Amy M. and Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2020}, month={Dec} }
 @article{smith_2020, title={Broadcasting Ourselves: Opportunities for Researchers to Share Their Work Through Online Video}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2296-665X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fenvs.2020.00150}, abstractNote={For researchers, producing and publishing online video can be a means of directly sharing both our science and ourselves with a wide audience. However, media production often requires a substantial commitment of time, effort, and resources. Beyond this, publishing video on popular online platforms, like YouTube, is entering an ever-more crowded information marketplace. At the outset, considering the stories and distribution avenues specifically available to research scientists can guide their efforts in media production. In this practical perspective piece, I speak to a scenario of when media production is led or self-produced by a research scientist wanting to communicate their work. I present how research scientists have opportunities and access to stories that are rare among other professionals communicating science online. From disseminating the results of a peer-reviewed research paper, to making media about typically unseen aspects of science, online video is a medium that presents unique opportunities for researchers wanting to communicate their work. It can be a means of expanding the audience for and our own conceptions of scholarly work.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE}, author={Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2020}, month={Aug} }
 @article{smith_2019, title={BITES, CAMERA, ACTION ...}, volume={576}, ISSN={["1476-4687"]}, DOI={10.1038/d41586-019-03555-8}, abstractNote={By making videos about the first steps of his research, Adrian Smith has realized the production value of his science. By making videos about the first steps of his research, Adrian Smith has realized the production value of his science.}, number={7786}, journal={NATURE}, author={Smith, Adrian}, year={2019}, month={Dec}, pages={327–328} }
 @article{smith_2019, title={Prey specialization and chemical mimicry between Formica archboldi and Odontomachus ants}, volume={66}, ISSN={["1420-9098"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00040-018-0675-y}, number={2}, journal={INSECTES SOCIAUX}, author={Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2019}, month={May}, pages={211–222} }
 @article{penick_halawani_pearson_mathews_lopez-uribe_dunn_smith_2018, title={External immunity in ant societies: sociality and colony size do not predict investment in antimicrobials}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2054-5703"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85042767466&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1098/rsos.171332}, abstractNote={
            Social insects live in dense groups with a high probability of disease transmission and have therefore faced strong pressures to develop defences against pathogens. For this reason, social insects have been hypothesized to invest in antimicrobial secretions as a mechanism of external immunity to prevent the spread of disease. However, empirical studies linking the evolution of sociality with increased investment in antimicrobials have been relatively few. Here we quantify the strength of antimicrobial secretions among 20 ant species that cover a broad spectrum of ant diversity and colony sizes. We extracted external compounds from ant workers to test whether they inhibited the growth of the bacterium
            Staphylococcus epidermidis
            . Because all ant species are highly social, we predicted that all species would exhibit some antimicrobial activity and that species that form the largest colonies would exhibit the strongest antimicrobial response. Our comparative approach revealed that strong surface antimicrobials are common to particular ant clades, but 40% of species exhibited no antimicrobial activity at all. We also found no correlation between antimicrobial activity and colony size. Rather than relying on antimicrobial secretions as external immunity to control pathogen spread, many ant species have probably developed alternative strategies to defend against disease pressure.
          }, number={2}, journal={ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE}, publisher={The Royal Society}, author={Penick, Clint A. and Halawani, Omar and Pearson, Bria and Mathews, Stephanie and Lopez-Uribe, Margarita M. and Dunn, Robert R. and Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2018}, month={Feb} }
 @article{smith_suarez_liebig_2018, title={Queen pheromones out of context: a comment on Holman}, volume={29}, ISSN={["1465-7279"]}, DOI={10.1093/beheco/ary065}, abstractNote={Smith AA, Liebig J. 2017. The evolution of cuticular fertility signals in eusocial insects. Curr Opin Insect Sci. 22:79–84. Wyatt TD. 2010. Pheromones and signature mixtures: defining species-wide signals and variable cues for identity in both invertebrates and vertebrates. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 196:685–700. Wyatt TD. 2014. Pheromones and animal behavior: chemical signals and signatures. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.}, number={6}, journal={BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY}, author={Smith, Adrian A. and Suarez, Andrew V. and Liebig, Jurgen}, year={2018}, pages={1212–1212} }
 @article{larabee_smith_suarez_2018, title={Snap-jaw morphology is specialized for high-speed power amplification in the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2054-5703"]}, DOI={10.1098/rsos.181447}, abstractNote={
            What is the limit of animal speed and what mechanisms produce the fastest movements? More than natural history trivia, the answer provides key insight into the form–function relationship of musculoskeletal movement and can determine the outcome of predator–prey interactions. The fastest known animal movements belong to arthropods, including trap-jaw ants, mantis shrimp and froghoppers, that have incorporated latches and springs into their appendage systems to overcome the limits of muscle power. In contrast to these examples of power amplification, where separate structures act as latch and spring to accelerate an appendage, some animals use a ‘snap-jaw’ mechanism that incorporates the latch and spring on the accelerating appendage itself. We examined the kinematics and functional morphology of the Dracula ant,
            Mystrium camillae
            , who use a snap-jaw mechanism to quickly slide their mandibles across each other similar to a finger snap. Kinematic analysis of high-speed video revealed that snap-jaw ant mandibles complete their strike in as little as 23 µsec and reach peak velocities of 90 m s
            −1
            , making them the fastest known animal appendage. Finite-element analysis demonstrated that snap-jaw mandibles were less stiff than biting non-power-amplified mandibles, consistent with their use as a flexible spring. These results extend our understanding of animal speed and demonstrate how small changes in morphology can result in dramatic differences in performance.
          }, number={12}, journal={ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE}, author={Larabee, Fredrick J. and Smith, Adrian A. and Suarez, Andrew V}, year={2018}, month={Dec} }
 @article{smith_2018, title={Use video to cut through jargon}, volume={556}, ISSN={["1476-4687"]}, DOI={10.1038/d41586-018-04606-2}, abstractNote={Video is an engaging way to make your research more accessible, says Adrian A. Smith. Video is an engaging way to make your research more accessible, says Adrian A. Smith.}, number={7701}, journal={NATURE}, author={Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2018}, month={Apr}, pages={397–398} }
 @article{fox_smith_gibson_solis_2017, title={Larvae of trap jaw ants, Odontomachus LATREILLE, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): morphology and biological notes}, volume={25}, journal={Myrmecological News}, author={Fox, E. G. P. and Smith, A. A. and Gibson, J. C. and Solis, D. R.}, year={2017}, pages={17–28} }
 @article{smith_liebig_2017, title={The evolution of cuticular fertility signals in eusocial insects}, volume={22}, ISSN={["2214-5753"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.017}, abstractNote={A reproductive division of labor is a definitive characteristic of eusocial insect societies and it requires a means through which colony members can assess the presence and productivity of reproductive individuals. Cuticular hydrocarbons are the primary means of doing so across eusocial hymenopterans. However, recent experimental work presents conflicting views on how these chemical signals function, are interpreted by workers, and evolve. These recent advances include demonstrations of hydrocarbons as evolutionarily conserved ‘queen pheromones’ and as species-divergent ‘fertility signals’ used by both queens and workers. In this review, we synthesize conflicting studies into an evolutionary framework suggesting a transition of reproductive communication from cue-like signature mixtures, to learned fertility signals, to innate queen pheromones that evolved across eusocial insects.}, journal={CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE}, author={Smith, Adrian A. and Liebig, Jurgen}, year={2017}, month={Aug}, pages={79–84} }
 @article{s. o'fallon_suarez_smith_2016, title={A comparative analysis of rapid antennation behavior in four species of Odontomachus trap-jaw ants}, volume={63}, ISSN={["1420-9098"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00040-016-0462-6}, number={2}, journal={INSECTES SOCIAUX}, author={S. O'Fallon and Suarez, A. V. and Smith, A. A.}, year={2016}, month={May}, pages={265–270} }
 @article{smith_millar_suarez_2016, title={Comparative analysis of fertility signals and sex-specific cuticular chemical profiles of Odontomachus trap-jaw ants}, volume={219}, ISSN={["1477-9145"]}, DOI={10.1242/jeb.128850}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY}, author={Smith, Adrian A. and Millar, Jocelyn G. and Suarez, Andrew V.}, year={2016}, month={Feb}, pages={419–430} }