Neuromechanical simulation of the locust jump
| Autor: | David W. Cofer, William J. Heitler, Donald H. Edwards, Gennady Cymbalyuk |
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| Rok vydání: | 2010 |
| Předmět: |
Physiology
Computer science Movement Grasshoppers Motor Activity Aquatic Science Impulse (physics) medicine.disease_cause Models Biological Jumping Control theory medicine Animals Torque Computer Simulation Nervous System Physiological Phenomena Total energy Molecular Biology Research Articles Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Communication biology business.industry Biomechanics biology.organism_classification Biomechanical Phenomena Insect Science Jump Joints Animal Science and Zoology Current technology Nerve Net business Locust |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Experimental Biology. 213:1060-1068 |
| ISSN: | 1477-9145 0022-0949 |
| Popis: | SUMMARYThe neural circuitry and biomechanics of kicking in locusts have been studied to understand their roles in the control of both kicking and jumping. It has been hypothesized that the same neural circuit and biomechanics governed both behaviors but this hypothesis was not testable with current technology. We built a neuromechanical model to test this and to gain a better understanding of the role of the semi-lunar process (SLP) in jump dynamics. The jumping and kicking behaviors of the model were tested by comparing them with a variety of published data, and were found to reproduce the results from live animals. This confirmed that the kick neural circuitry can produce the jump behavior. The SLP is a set of highly sclerotized bands of cuticle that can be bent to store energy for use during kicking and jumping. It has not been possible to directly test the effects of the SLP on jump performance because it is an integral part of the joint, and attempts to remove its influence prevent the locust from being able to jump. Simulations demonstrated that the SLP can significantly increase jump distance, power, total energy and duration of the jump impulse. In addition, the geometry of the joint enables the SLP force to assist leg flexion when the leg is flexed, and to assist extension once the leg has begun to extend. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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