Busshardt, Philipp, Kunze, Daniel and Gorb, Stanislav (2014) Interlocking-based attachment during locomotion in the beetle Pachnoda marginata (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae). Scientific Reports, 4 . DOI 10.1038/srep06998.

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Abstract

The attachment function of tibial spurs and pretarsal claws in the beetle Pachnoda marginata (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) during locomotion was examined in this study. First, we measured the angle, at which the beetles detached from substrates with different roughness. At a surface roughness of 12 mm and higher, intact animals were able to cling to a completely tilted platform (1806). Second, we estimated the forces the beetles could exert in walking on smooth and rough cylinders of different diameters, on a plane and also between two plates. To elucidate the role of the individual structures, we ablated them consecutively. We found tibial spurs not to be in use in walking on flat substrates. On some of the curved substrates, ablation of tibial spurs caused an effect. A clear effect of tibial spurs was revealed in walking between two plates. Thus, these structures are probably used for generating propulsion in narrowed spaces.

Document Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Times Cited: 0 0
Keywords:	Animal physiology, Biomechanics
Research affiliation:	OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence Kiel University
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	Yes
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Projects:	Future Ocean
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2015 12:02
Last Modified:	17 Jun 2019 14:18
URI:	https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/27226

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