Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos
Abstract Arboreal habitats are characterized by a complex three-dimensional array of branches that vary in numerous characteristics, including incline, compliance, roughness, and diameter. Gaps must often be crossed, and this is frequently accomplished by leaping. Geckos bearing an adhesive system o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02033-4 |
| _version_ | 1818401886215077888 |
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| author | Timothy E. Higham Mara N. S. Hofmann Michelle Modert Marc Thielen Thomas Speck |
| author_facet | Timothy E. Higham Mara N. S. Hofmann Michelle Modert Marc Thielen Thomas Speck |
| author_sort | Timothy E. Higham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Arboreal habitats are characterized by a complex three-dimensional array of branches that vary in numerous characteristics, including incline, compliance, roughness, and diameter. Gaps must often be crossed, and this is frequently accomplished by leaping. Geckos bearing an adhesive system often jump in arboreal habitats, although few studies have examined their jumping biomechanics. We investigated the biomechanics of landing on smooth surfaces in crested geckos, Correlophus ciliatus, asking whether the incline of the landing platform alters impact forces and mid-air body movements. Using high-speed videography, we examined jumps from a horizontal take-off platform to horizontal, 45° and 90° landing platforms. Take-off velocity was greatest when geckos were jumping to a horizontal platform. Geckos did not modulate their body orientation in the air. Body curvature during landing, and landing duration, were greatest on the vertical platform. Together, these significantly reduced the impact force on the vertical platform. When landing on a smooth vertical surface, the geckos must engage the adhesive system to prevent slipping and falling. In contrast, landing on a horizontal surface requires no adhesion, but incurs high impact forces. Despite a lack of mid-air modulation, geckos appear robust to changing landing conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T07:59:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9d2270a9a9fd414e93e69ba56ddb8bc9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T07:59:35Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9d2270a9a9fd414e93e69ba56ddb8bc92022-12-21T23:10:28ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-11-0111111310.1038/s41598-021-02033-4Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckosTimothy E. Higham0Mara N. S. Hofmann1Michelle Modert2Marc Thielen3Thomas Speck4Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of CaliforniaPlant Biomechanics Group & Botanic Garden, University of FreiburgPlant Biomechanics Group & Botanic Garden, University of FreiburgPlant Biomechanics Group & Botanic Garden, University of FreiburgPlant Biomechanics Group & Botanic Garden, University of FreiburgAbstract Arboreal habitats are characterized by a complex three-dimensional array of branches that vary in numerous characteristics, including incline, compliance, roughness, and diameter. Gaps must often be crossed, and this is frequently accomplished by leaping. Geckos bearing an adhesive system often jump in arboreal habitats, although few studies have examined their jumping biomechanics. We investigated the biomechanics of landing on smooth surfaces in crested geckos, Correlophus ciliatus, asking whether the incline of the landing platform alters impact forces and mid-air body movements. Using high-speed videography, we examined jumps from a horizontal take-off platform to horizontal, 45° and 90° landing platforms. Take-off velocity was greatest when geckos were jumping to a horizontal platform. Geckos did not modulate their body orientation in the air. Body curvature during landing, and landing duration, were greatest on the vertical platform. Together, these significantly reduced the impact force on the vertical platform. When landing on a smooth vertical surface, the geckos must engage the adhesive system to prevent slipping and falling. In contrast, landing on a horizontal surface requires no adhesion, but incurs high impact forces. Despite a lack of mid-air modulation, geckos appear robust to changing landing conditions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02033-4 |
| spellingShingle | Timothy E. Higham Mara N. S. Hofmann Michelle Modert Marc Thielen Thomas Speck Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos Scientific Reports |
| title | Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos |
| title_full | Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos |
| title_fullStr | Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos |
| title_full_unstemmed | Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos |
| title_short | Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos |
| title_sort | jumping with adhesion landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02033-4 |
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