Measuring and modelling the structural dynamics of poricidal anthers: a mechatronic approach

The mechanical dynamics of poricidal stamens play a crucial role in buzz pollination, but they have only been studied in a few species showing comparatively less curvature. This paper presents an integrated experimental-computational approach to characterize the dynamic behaviour of the morphologically more complex stamens of Medinilla magnifica. An experimental set-up employing a custom-built shaker and a laser triangulation sensor is developed to measure the stamen motion with high spatial and temporal resolution. The resulting displacement transmissibility reveals three distinct resonances, with the second one falling within the reported frequency range of pollination buzzes. Finite-element and multi-body models are developed and validated against experimental results. The models further reveal how the stamen morphology gives rise to its complex dynamic behaviour. The developed method enables precise parametric modelling of stamens and provides new insight into the mechanical basis of pollen release, thereby offering a framework for studying buzz pollination dynamics across plant taxa.