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Magnetic minerals. Keystone-like crystals in cells of hornet combs
I Stokroos1, L Litinetsky, J J van der Want
1Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Brain Cognition and Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Oostersingel 69-2, 9713 EZ Groningen, The Netherlands. physio7@post.tau.ac.il
Abstract:
The hexagonal brood-rearing cells inside the nest combs of the hornet Vespa orientalis are uniform in both their architecture and orientation. We have discovered that each cell contains a minute crystal that projects down from the centre of its domed roof and has a composition typical of the magnetic mineral ilmenite. These tiny crystals form a network that may act like a surveyor's spirit-level, helping the hornets to assess the symmetry and balance of the cells and the direction of gravity while they are building the comb.
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