Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Jumping spiders are proficient jumpers that use jumps in a variety of behavioural contexts. We use high speed, high resolution video to measure the kinematics of a single regal jumping spider for a total of 15 different tasks based on a horizontal gap of 2-5 body lengths and vertical gap of +/-2 body lengths. For short range jumps, we show that low angled trajectories are used that minimise flight time. For longer jumps, take-off angles are steeper and closer to the optimum for minimum energy cost of transport. Comparison of jump performance against other arthropods shows that Phidippus regius is firmly in the group of animals that use dynamic muscle contraction for actuation as opposed to a stored energy catapult system. We find that the jump power requirements can be met from the estimated mass of leg muscle; hydraulic augmentation may be present but appears not to be energetically essential.
Source: Scientific Reports
Institutions: University of Manchester, Natural History Museum
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,714
Awards: G179315317, G2842531760, G3098866040, Multiscale x-ray imaging facility for monitoring and modelling structural evolution in situ, Multiscale x-ray imaging facility for monitoring and modelling structural evolution in situ, G351550030, G4048582220, Sir Henry Royce Institute - Manchester and NNL Equipment, Structural evolution across multiple time and length scales, G6826224869, G7196174312, Sir Henry Royce InsStitute - recurrent grant, G8185224989, G8252224589
OpenAlex ID: W2803015017