Original video: https://youtu.be/Cg29-YUWLzY
In this video, we explore the intricate 3D biotic relationship between a Snapdragon flower (Antirrhinum majus) and a pollinating bee (Apis) using advanced M-OPT imaging techniques. Through a series of clipped M-OPT volume views, we visualize the bee inside the flower, revealing complex spatial details and interactions.
The video showcases three distinct M-OPT channels combined for enhanced visualization. The transmission M-OPT channel, shown in orange, highlights the petals, as well as the bee’s exoskeleton and internal organs. We also capture tissue autofluorescence using two filters: the GFP1 filter, in green/yellow, highlights the insect’s eyes, legs, wings, and the flower’s anthers, while the TXR filter, shown in blue, accentuates the bee’s exoskeleton.
The video includes several views, each offering a unique perspective on the bee’s orientation within the flower. First, we see a volume view through the center of the bee, revealing key anatomical features. Next, the dorsal view shows the spatial arrangement between the flower's anthers and stigma with the bee's back. The anthers form a rectangular arrangement, positioning the stigma in the center, closely interacting with the pollinator. Finally, a ventral view of the bee provides a glimpse of how it navigates within the flower.
With a scan resolution of 40 µm/voxel, this video allows us to appreciate the micro-scale dynamics of pollination, highlighting how M-OPT imaging can enhance our understanding of these delicate interspecies interactions.
Keywords: 3D, development, gene activity, imaging, macroscopic, macro optical projection tomography, M-OPT, plant-insect interactions, tomography, whole plant.
Citation: Karen J. I. Lee, Grant M. Calder, Christopher R. Hindle, Jacob L. Newman, Simon N. Robinson, Jerome J. H. Y. Avondo, Enrico S. Coen, Macro optical projection tomography for large scale 3D imaging of plant structures and gene activity, Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 68, Issue 3, 1 January 2017, Pages 527–538, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erw452
Published: 26 December 2016
Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 - Creative Commons
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