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William Lawson: Favorites

Profile photo of William LawsonWilliam LawsonApril 8, 2011
Shared with everyone
strategy

Awns cause self-plantingspear grass

Hairs on spear grass awn's result in the grass being able to self-plant into the soil by being hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Capture, absorb, or filter liquids, Distribute liquids, Move in/on liquids, Move in/on solids, Move in/through gases, Sensing atmospheric conditions
strategy

Rootlets reabsorb nutrientsgiant groundsel

The trunk of the giant groundsel recycles nutrients from dead attached leaves by sprouting rootlets to extract remaining nutrients.

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Capture, absorb, or filter chemical entities
strategy

Roots absorb nutrients from dead leaves

The stems of cushion plants reabsorb nutrients from dead leaves by sending out lateral rootlets.

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Capture, absorb, or filter chemical entities
strategy

Seeds disperse by jet actionice plants

Seeds of ice plants disperse by jet action using the energy of raindrops and moisture-sensitive capsules.

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Disperse seeds, Expel solids
strategy

Skin prevents dehydrationfoam-nest treefrog

The excretory system of the coast foam-nest treefrog prevents water loss by producing uric acid, which the frog wipes on its impermeable skin.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Protect from loss of liquids
strategy

Wings shed dirt and watercicada

The wings of cicadas shed dirt and water via nanoscale protrusions surrounded by air pockets that buoy water droplets.

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Protect from dirt/solids
strategy

Skin prevents water losscrocodiles

The skin of crocodiles and alligators protects against water loss via bony scales called 'scutes.'

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Protect from loss of liquids
strategy

Cryptobiosis protects from extremeswaterbear

The waterbear survives extreme environmental conditions by entering a reversibly suspended metabolic state known as cryptobiosis.

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Maintain homeostasis, Protect from chemicals, Protect from loss of liquids, Protect from nuclear radiation, Protect from temperature
strategy

Covering protects eyepied kingfisher

The eye of the pied kingfisher is protected during high speed water entry via a bony plate.

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Manage impact
strategy

Hydrological regimes maintain organismsstreams

Streams maintain aquatic organisms by maintaining natural hydrological regimes.

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Regulate hydrological flows
strategy

Body shape influences stability and maneuverabilityspotted boxfish

The shape of the boxfish controls water flow around the body to influence stability and maneuverability.

Profile photo of Alexandra RalevskiAlexandra Ralevski
Manage turbulence, Move in/on liquids
strategy

Inflating for protectionporcupine fish

The skin of a porcupine fish protects from predators via embedded spines that erect when the fish inflates using sips of water.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Modify size/shape/mass/volume, Protect from animals
strategy

Native plants persist in changing conditionswetland ecosystems

Some native plant species in wetlands have long-term persistence despite fluctuating water levels because they have long-lived seeds deposited in the soil seed bank.

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Disperse seeds, Generate soil/renew fertility, Maintain biodiversity, Manage disturbance in a community, Protect from excess liquids
strategy

Communities prevent asbestos dispersionplants and lichens

Communities of plants and lichens limit dispersion of asbestos mine fibers by spontaneous colonization due to xerophytism, metal tolerance, and pioneerism.

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Detoxification/purification of air/water/waste
strategy

Multiple organisms interactsoil ecosystem

The soil ecosystem supports plant growth through interactions of millions of organisms that work together to break down chemicals and aerate the soil.

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Break down living materials, Chemically break down organic compounds, Cycle nutrients
strategy

Fronds hyperaccumulate arsenicladder brake fern

Fronds of ladder brake ferns hyperaccumulate toxic arsenic using a special transporter protein that spatially isolates the chemical in vacuoles.

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Detoxification/purification of air/water/waste, Protect from chemicals, Store chemical entities
strategy

Bacteria help volatilize and mineralize ammoniatermites

The gut bacteria of soil-feeding termites help make soil nitrogen available to plants and protect from ammonia toxicity via ammonia volatilization and mineralization.

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Cycle nutrients, Protect from chemicals
strategy

Forelegs mop up plant oilsolitary bees

The forelegs of solitary bees mop up plant oil using brushes at their tips.

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Capture, absorb, or filter liquids
strategy

Alkaline surfaces volatilize ammonialoach

The alkaline body surfaces of the loach protect from ammonia toxicity by volatilizing ammonia during aerial exposure.

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Maintain homeostasis, Protect from chemicals
strategy

Enzymes detoxify mercury compoundsbacteria

The enzymatic system of aerobic bacteria detoxifies mercury compounds such as methyl-mercury via the enzymes organomercurial lyase (MerB) and mercuric ion reductase.

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Cleave heavy metals from organic compounds
strategy

Cells detect and sequester toxic copperMycobacterium tuberculosis

The cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detect, move, and sequester toxic copper via membrane copper pumps and protein chaperones.

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Capture, absorb, or filter chemical entities, Protect from chemicals, Store chemical entities
strategy

Flower's pattern attracts/deters insectsAaron's beard

Markings on flowers help draw pollinators and at the same time discourage insect herbivores by containing ultraviolet pigments.

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Protect from animals, Send light signals in the non-visible spectrum
strategy

Microorganisms degrade crude oilbacteria

Bacteria degrade crude oil more quickly when working in multi-species consortiums.

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Chemically break down organic compounds
strategy

Vessels resist bubble formationtrees

Xylem vessels running up tree trunks prevent gas bubble formation because all surfaces are hydrophilic.

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Distribute liquids, Protect from gases
strategy

Mixture waterproofs nestspaper wasps

Paper wasps use an oral secretion combined with masticated plant matter to create waterproof paper nests.

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Chemically break down organic compounds, Protect from excess liquids
strategy

Fecal pellets sink carbonsalp

Salpa aspera transport carbon to the ocean floor via their fecal pellets.

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Store chemical entities
strategy

Canopies enhance species diversitywetland ecosystems

Different kinds of plant canopies in wetlands enable great species diversity by providing a variety of microenvironments.

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Maintain biodiversity, Regulate climate
strategy

Dead leaves function as insulationgiant groundsel

Leaves of the giant groundsel protect from freezing because those that die remain on the plant and serve as insulation.

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Protect from temperature
strategy

Small leaves buffer ambient temperaturesacred datura

Small leaves of sacred datura plants buffer ambient thermal variation more efficiently than large leaves due to a smaller boundary layer, allowing higher amounts of transpiration.

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Protect from temperature
strategy

Mounds accumulate calcium carbonatetermites

Mounds of Macrotermes termites accumulate calcium carbonate.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Capture, absorb, or filter chemical entities, Store chemical entities
strategy

Mounds increase diversitymound-building termites

The mounds created by some termites increase diversity in wetlands because they form 'islands,' supporting trees and other species during the wet season.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Control erosion and sediment, Cycle nutrients, Maintain biodiversity, Manage disturbance in a community
strategy

Fibers contract and relaxspiders

Dragline silk fibers in spider webs help maintain web tension under weight by contracting and relaxing in response to humidity.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Manage impact, Modify material characteristics, Prevent fracture/rupture, Protect from excess liquids
strategy

Larvae protected from pathogensbeewolf digger wasps

The larvae of beewolf digger wasps are protected from pathogenic microbes thanks to bacterial symbionts.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Protect from fungi, Protect from microbes
strategy

Portable cases protect from predatorscaddisflies

Some caddisflies protect themselves from predators by building portable cases out of local materials - such as pebbles, sand, and aquatic plants - that are cemented together with silk or mucus.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Physically assemble structure, Protect from animals
strategy

Anus absorbs waterwoodlice

The anus of some woodlice can soak up water using posterior abdominal appendages and capillary action.

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Capture, absorb, or filter liquids
strategy

Intricate relationship allows the other to flourishthe sea anemone and the clownfish

The relationship between the sea anemone and clownfish allows the other to flourish through symbiosis.

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Coevolve, Cooperate/compete between different species, Coordinate systems, Cycle nutrients, Protect from animals, Protect from microbes
strategy

Membranes maintain salt balancecrab-eating frog

Membranes of crab-eating frog tadpoles allow them to survive in salt water via active ion transport.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Maintain homeostasis
strategy

Pores allow gas exchangebirds

The eggs of a birds provide gas exchange through pore canals.

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Distribute gases, Protect from dirt/solids, Protect from excess liquids
strategy

Self-medicating cures infections, stops painbaboons

Baboons may cure infections, stop diarrhea, or treat menstrual cramps by eating particular plant leaves.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Protect from animals, Protect from microbes
strategy

Reflex bleeding deters predatorsfireflies

Some female fireflies defend themselves by releasing noxious, steroid-containing blood from their thoraxes.

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Protect from animals
strategy

Stripes serve as long-distance camouflagelionfish

The stripes on a lionfish serve as camouflage by breaking up the outline of the fish when viewed from afar.

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Modify light/color, Protect from animals
strategy

Skin secretions fight microbesfrogs

Skin secretions of some frogs may help protect them from drug-resistant microbes via novel antimicrobial peptides.

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Protect from microbes
strategy

Plants enhance healthgolden bee

Visits to nutrient-poor plants by golden bees may help protect from disease and parasites thanks to the collection of volatile oils.

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Protect from animals, Protect from microbes, Send chemical signals (odor, taste, etc.)
strategy

Leaves deter herbivorybirch trees

The leaves of some birch trees may help deter herbivory by adsorbing arthropod-repelling chemical compounds emitted from neighboring plants.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Cooperate within an ecosystem, Protect from animals
strategy

Scales prevent structural penetrationfig

The inflorescence of a fig is protected from insect penetration by overlapping scales.

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Prevent fracture/rupture, Protect from animals
strategy

Net filters algaesalp

Salps capture tiny algae for food by filtering seawater through a net of mucus.

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Capture, absorb, or filter organisms
strategy

Poisonous secretions deter predatorsblister beetle

Secretions of blister beetles help deter predators by containing cantharidin, a poisonous chemical.

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Protect from animals
strategy

Eyes are anti-reflectiveelephant hawk-moth

Eyes of nocturnal moths are anti-reflective due to nanoscale protrusions.

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Modify light/color, Protect from animals
strategy

Surviving oil pondspetroleum flies

Gut bacteria of petroleum fly larvae possibly aid survival in crude oil ponds via solvent tolerance.

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Protect from chemicals
strategy

Skin self-repairskangaroo

Skin of kangaroos self-repairs after sun damage using a DNA repair enzyme.

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Protect from light
strategy

Body resists soil adhesiondung beetle

Body of the dung beetle reduces soil ahesion via non-smooth surface morphology.

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Protect from dirt/solids
strategy

Fatty acids prevent freezingcotton plants

Fatty acids in cotton seedlings prevent freezing by changing the composition of the cell membranes.

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Modify material characteristics, Protect from temperature
strategy

Secretions repel insects, bacteriagiraffe

The skin and hair of giraffes may repel ticks, mosquitoes and bacteria via secreted chemical compounds, particularly indole, skatole, and p-cresol.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Protect from animals, Protect from microbes
strategy

Scales provide flexible, strong protectionpangolin

Scales of pangolins provide flexibility yet strong protection by overlapping like roof shingles.

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Protect from animals
strategy

Leaves focus lightbegonias

The leaves of begonias maximize photosynthesis in low-light conditions by using clear surface cells to focus light.

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Capture, absorb, or filter energy
strategy

Squeezing larvae provides glueweaver ants

Weaver ants glue their nests together using silk squeezed from their larvae.

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Attach permanently
strategy

Pressure forces blood from poresgrasshopper

Weak pores in the cuticle of certain grasshoppers ooze blood plasma as the hydrostatic pressure within the grasshoppers' bodies increases.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Capture, absorb, or filter liquids, Distribute liquids, Expel liquids
strategy

Silk assembled on demandspiders

Structural components of spider silk are safely stored and assembled on demand with help from a molecular switch.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Chemically assemble on demand, Modify material characteristics, Store chemical entities
strategy

Lack of wing scales enhances camouflageclearwing butterfies

The wings of a clearwing butterfly provide camouflage because they lack scales, allowing whatever background the butterfly has landed on to show through its wings.

Profile photo of AskNature TeamAskNature Team
Modify light/color, Modify material characteristics, Optimize shape/materials, Physically assemble structure, Protect from animals
strategy

Mucus inhibits nematocyst firingshag-rug aeolis

The mouth of the Shag-rug aeolis prevents nematocyst firing in its sea anemone prey via adaptable, inhibitory mucus.

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Protect from chemicals

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Contributed by William Lawson

Although I was born and raised in the UK I began my biomimicry journey in 2009 helping the development of the now well establish biomimicrySA network, while working as a game ranger and instructor in the Greater Kruger National Park....

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