An Electrophysiological Investigation of Power-Amplification in the Ballistic Mantis Shrimp Punch.

ABSTRACT: Mantis shrimp are aggressive, burrowing crustaceans that hunt using one the fastest movements in the natural world. These stomatopods can crack the calcified shells of prey or spear down unsuspecting fish with lighting speed. Their strike makes use of power-amplification mechanisms to move their limbs much faster than is possible by muscles alone. Other arthropods such as crickets and grasshoppers also use power-amplified kicks that allow these animals to rapidly jump away from predator threats. Here we present a template laboratory exercise for studying the electrophysiology of power-amplified limb movement in arthropods, with a specific focus on mantis shrimp strikes. The exercise is designed in such a way that it can be applied to other species that perform power-amplified limb movement

SUBMITTER: Pollak DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6650263 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature