Mechanical properties of the cuticles of three cockroach species that differ in their wind-evoked escape behavior.

ABSTRACT: The structural and material properties of insect cuticle remain largely unexplored, even though they comprise the majority (approximately 80%) of animals. Insect cuticle serves many functions, including protection against predatory attacks, which is especially beneficial to species failing to employ effective running escape responses. Despite recent advances in our understanding of insect escape behaviors and the biomechanics of insect cuticle, there are limited studies on the protective qualities of cuticle to extreme mechanical stresses and strains imposed by predatory attacks, and how these qualities vary between species employing different escape responses. Blattarians (cockroaches) provide an appropriate model system for such studies. Wind-evoked running escape responses are strong in

SUBMITTER: Clark AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4121590 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature