Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin

The skin of the African bush elephant features micrometer-wide channels whose function is water and mud retention for thermal regulation and protection from parasites. Here authors use microscopy and modelling to show that the channels are fractures of the animal thick and brittle skin outermost lay...

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Main Authors: António F. Martins, Nigel C. Bennett, Sylvie Clavel, Herman Groenewald, Sean Hensman, Stefan Hoby, Antoine Joris, Paul R. Manger, Michel C. Milinkovitch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2018-10-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06257-3
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author António F. Martins
Nigel C. Bennett
Sylvie Clavel
Herman Groenewald
Sean Hensman
Stefan Hoby
Antoine Joris
Paul R. Manger
Michel C. Milinkovitch
author_facet António F. Martins
Nigel C. Bennett
Sylvie Clavel
Herman Groenewald
Sean Hensman
Stefan Hoby
Antoine Joris
Paul R. Manger
Michel C. Milinkovitch
author_sort António F. Martins
collection DOAJ
description The skin of the African bush elephant features micrometer-wide channels whose function is water and mud retention for thermal regulation and protection from parasites. Here authors use microscopy and modelling to show that the channels are fractures of the animal thick and brittle skin outermost layer.
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spelling doaj.art-358451733a03440482d52fb7a10fc1522022-12-21T22:55:27ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232018-10-01911810.1038/s41467-018-06257-3Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skinAntónio F. Martins0Nigel C. Bennett1Sylvie Clavel2Herman Groenewald3Sean Hensman4Stefan Hoby5Antoine Joris6Paul R. Manger7Michel C. Milinkovitch8Laboratory of Artificial & Natural Evolution (LANE), Department of Genetics & Evolution, University of GenevaMammal Research Institute, University of PretoriaZoo African SafariDepartment of Anatomy & Physiology, University of PretoriaAdventures with ElephantsZoo BaselRéserve AfricaineSchool of Anatomical Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandLaboratory of Artificial & Natural Evolution (LANE), Department of Genetics & Evolution, University of GenevaThe skin of the African bush elephant features micrometer-wide channels whose function is water and mud retention for thermal regulation and protection from parasites. Here authors use microscopy and modelling to show that the channels are fractures of the animal thick and brittle skin outermost layer.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06257-3
spellingShingle António F. Martins
Nigel C. Bennett
Sylvie Clavel
Herman Groenewald
Sean Hensman
Stefan Hoby
Antoine Joris
Paul R. Manger
Michel C. Milinkovitch
Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin
Nature Communications
title Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin
title_full Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin
title_fullStr Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin
title_full_unstemmed Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin
title_short Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin
title_sort locally curved geometry generates bending cracks in the african elephant skin
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06257-3
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