Design of the predatory legs of water bugs (Hemiptera: Nepidae, Naucoridae, Notonectidae, Gerridae)

Gorb, Stanislav N.

doi:10.1002/jmor.1052230306

Cited by 28 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The TFS is found in both jumping and non-jumping Chrysomelidae. Functional aspects of the TFS proposed by Furth and Suzuki (1990a) and Gorb (1995) are: (1) strengthening of the base for the flexor tendon; (2) increasing the working angle of the leg flexor system; and (3) protection of the ventral side of the exposed femorotibial joint. Barth (1954), based on the studies of the flea beetle Homophoeta sexnotata Harold 1876, and later Betz et al (2007: figs 11, 12), based on SR-µCT findings in Altica sp., proposed that the TFS may serve as a key part of a catching mechanism preventing the premature extension of the tibia during the co-contraction of both the flexor and the extensor muscles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. I. Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini)

Nadein

Betz

2016

Journal of Experimental Biology

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The present study analyses the anatomy, mechanics and functional morphology of the jumping apparatus, the performance and the kinematics of the natural jump of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini). The kinematic parameters of the initial phase of the jump were calculated for five species from five genera (average values from minimum to maximum): acceleration 0.91-2.25 (×10 ) of the femoro-tibial joint during the jumping movement and the fast full extension of the hind tibia (1-3 ms) suggest that jumping is performed via a catapult mechanism releasing energy that has beforehand been stored in the extensor ligament during its stretching by the extensor muscles. In addition, the morphology of the femoro-tibial joint suggests that the co-contraction of the flexor and the extensor muscles in the femur of the jumping leg is involved in this process.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. I. Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini)

Nadein

Betz

2016

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…The idea to use a stereomicroscope with a table driver (q-and p-axes) and vertical drive (v-axis) originates from works on insect leg design (Gorb 1995;Frantsevich et. al 1996) and on fish myomeres (van Leeuwen 1999).…”

Section: Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional analysis of the arrangement and length distribution of fascicles in the triceps muscle of Galea musteloides (Rodentia, Cavimorpha)

Gorb¹,

Fischer²

2000

Zoomorphology

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Non-uniformity of fascicle parameters (fascicle lengths and orientation) within one skeletal muscle is well known. These parameters have an effect on the physiological cross-sectional area and lengthening rate of the skeletal muscle. Using a binocular microscope with a table driver (q-and p-axes) and vertical drive (v-axis) as a tool for reconstruction of the spatial orientation of single muscle fascicles, we developed an approach for three-dimensional analysis of the arrangement and length distribution in the skeletal muscle of small mammals. Two subunits of the triceps brachii muscle of the Galea musteloides forelimb, triceps longum and triceps laterale, were quantified and compared. Our data show that in the triceps laterale the fascicles are significantly longer (10.23 mm, SD=1.19, n=41) than those in the triceps longum (6.58 mm, SD=2.88, n=39). In the triceps laterale, the fascicle orientation is more or less uniform, whereas, in the triceps longum, there are two areas with different orientation of fascicles: anterior and posterior ones. Different inner architecture of the subunits can be interpreted as an adaptation to the main locomotory function of the triceps muscle, namely production of propulsive force during limb transfer phase and keeping dynamic stability during stance phase. Comparison of our data on the fascicle length and geometry with our previous histochemical results on G. musteloides, shows that the anterior region of the triceps longum, which differs in the fascicle orientation, also contains a significantly larger percent of slow muscle fibres. It is hypothesised here that this small region is involved in keeping posture.

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“…Tactile and chemical stimuli triggered by the pray play primer importance in feeding (Abraham 1943, Greven & Brenner 2007. Foreleg morphology in Belostomatidae, a relative taxon to Nepidae (Ohba et al 2008), as well as in the case of N. cinerea (Gorb 1995) is relevant to the manner of catching prey. We did not find any significant differences in first leg morphology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some morphological characteristics of the water scorpion Nepa cinerea (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) are associated with habitat type

Bakonyi¹,

Peták²,

Erős³

et al. 2016

Acta Zool Acad Sci H

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Morphological variation can enable species to successfully survive and reproduce in distinct habitats. Water scorpion (Nepa cinerea Linnaeus, 1758) occurs in different aquatic habitats from lentic to lotic conditions. We examined the morphology of N. cinerea collected from a diverse array of habitat types (creeks, canals, ponds) in order to explore possible morphological adaptations to the habitat. We addressed the following specific questions: (i) is there any morphological differences between specimens collected from distinct habitats, and if so, (ii) is it possible to relate differences in morphology of the N. cinerea to characteristics of the habitat structure? Altogether 121 individuals (69 males and 52 females) were sampled from 17 sampling sites in the catchment area of Lake Balaton (Hungary). 54 body parameters were determined on all individuals. According to five habitat parameters (bottom quality, current velocity of the water, water depth, submerse plant density, shading) sampling sites were clustered into two distinct groups. Submerse plant density proved to be the most important discriminating factor between the two groups. The morphology of the N. cinerea (both males and females) sampled from the two contrasting habitat types were different. No relationship was found between geographical position of the habitat type and body morphology of N. cinerea. Leg morphology, especially claws on the third leg and some body shape parameters showed relationships with habitat characteristics. These morphological variations, which may be the result of phenotypic plasticity, could contribute to an opportunistic habitat choice of the species.

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Design of the predatory legs of water bugs (Hemiptera: Nepidae, Naucoridae, Notonectidae, Gerridae)

Cited by 28 publications

References 11 publications

Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. I. Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini)

Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. I. Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini)

Three-dimensional analysis of the arrangement and length distribution of fascicles in the triceps muscle of Galea musteloides (Rodentia, Cavimorpha)

Some morphological characteristics of the water scorpion Nepa cinerea (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) are associated with habitat type

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