Shooting Mechanisms in Nature: A Systematic Review
Fig 8
Cavitation catapult mechanism in Memnoniella subsimplex.
(A) Conidiophore of M. subsimplex with conidia in a chain-like fashion at its apex. (B) Twisting of the conidiophore during drying discharges loosely connected conidia. (C) In [61] it is suggested that a critical “negative” pressure (compared to ambient) causes the sudden appearance of gas bubbles in the conidia that releases the tension in the cell walls of the conidia, resulting in a rapid return motion, and the subsequent discharge of the conidia. Drawings based on schematic drawings in [61]. Scale bar 75 μm.