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Underwater locomotion strategy by a benthic pennate diatom Navicula sp.

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Abstract

The mechanism of diatom locomotion has been widely researched but still remains a hypothesis. There are several questionable points on the prevailing model proposed by Edgar, and some of the observed phenomena cannot be completely explained by this model. In this paper, we undertook detailed investigations of cell structures, locomotion, secreted mucilage, and bending deformation for a benthic pennate diatom Navicula species. According to these broad evidences, an updated locomotion model is proposed. For Navicula sp., locomotion is realized via two or more pseudopods or stalks protruded out of the frustules. The adhesion can be produced due to the pull-off of one pseudopod or stalk from the substratum through extracellular polymeric substances. And the positive pressure is generated to balance the adhesion because of the push-down of another pseudopod or stalk onto the substratum. Because of the positive pressure, friction is generated, acting as a driving force of locomotion, and the other pseudopod or stalk can detach from the substratum, resulting in the locomotion. Furthermore, this model is validated by the force evaluation and can better explain observed phenomena. This updated model would provide a novel aspect on underwater locomotion strategy, hence can be useful in terms of artificial underwater locomotion devices.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project under grant nos. 51075228 and 51021064.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People’s Republic of China

    Jiadao Wang, Shan Cao, Chuan Du & Darong Chen

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  1. Jiadao Wang
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  2. Shan Cao
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  3. Chuan Du
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  4. Darong Chen
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Correspondence to Jiadao Wang.

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Handling Editor: Reimer Stick

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Wang, J., Cao, S., Du, C. et al. Underwater locomotion strategy by a benthic pennate diatom Navicula sp.. Protoplasma 250, 1203–1212 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-013-0502-2

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