Mechanisms for Mid-Air Reorientation Using Tail Rotation in Gliding Geckos.

ABSTRACT: Arboreal animals face numerous challenges when negotiating complex three-dimensional terrain. Directed aerial descent or gliding flight allows for rapid traversal of arboreal environments, but presents control challenges. Some animals, such as birds or gliding squirrels, have specialized structures to modulate aerodynamic forces while airborne. However, many arboreal animals do not possess these specializations but still control posture and orientation in mid-air. One of the largest inertial segments in lizards is their tail. Inertial reorientation can be used to attain postures appropriate for controlled aerial descent. Here, we discuss the role of tail inertia in a range of mid-air reorientation behaviors using experimental data from geckos in combination with mathematical and robotic mo

SUBMITTER: Siddall R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8427175 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature