Drotlef, Dirk M., Appel, Esther, Peisker, Henrik, Dening, Kirstin, del Campo, Aranzazu, Gorb, Stanislav and Barnes, W. Jon P. (2015) Morphological studies of the toe pads of the rock frog, Staurois parvus (family: Ranidae) and their relevance to the development of new biomimetically inspired reversible adhesives. Interface Focus, 5 (1). DOI 10.1098/rsfs.2014.0036.

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Abstract

The morphology of the toe epithelium of the rock frog, Staurois parvus (Family Ranidae), was investigated using a variety of microscopical techniques. The toe pad epithelium is stratified (four to five cell layers), the apical parts of the cells of the outermost layer being separated by fluid-filled channels. The surface of these cells is covered by a dense array of nanopillars, which also cover the surface of subarticular tubercles and unspecialized ventral epithelium of the toes, but not the dorsal epithelium. The apical portions of the outer two layers contain fibrils that originate from the nanopillars and are oriented approximately normal to the surface. This structure is similar to the pad structure of tree frogs of the families Hylidae and Rhacophoridae, indicating evolutionary convergence and a common evolutionary design for reversible attachment in climbing frogs. The main adaptation to the torrent habitat seems to be the straightness of the channels crossing the toe pad, which will assist in drainage of excess water. The presence of nanopillar arrays on all ventral surfaces of the toes resembles that on clingfish suckers and may be a specific adaptation for underwater adhesion and friction. The relevance of these findings to the development of new biomimetically inspired reversible adhesives is discussed.

Document Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Times Cited: 6
Keywords:	cell shape adhesive toe pad electron microscopy functional morphology rock frog biomimetics
Research affiliation:	OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence > FO-R07 OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence > FO-R03 Kiel University OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence > FO-R08 Kiel University > Kiel Marine Science OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
Publisher:	The Royal Society
Projects:	Future Ocean
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2016 10:54
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2019 19:36
URI:	https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/32456

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