Combined effects of body posture and three-dimensional wing shape enable efficient gliding in flying lizards.

ABSTRACT: Gliding animals change their body shape and posture while producing and modulating aerodynamic forces during flight. However, the combined effect of these different factors on aerodynamic force production, and ultimately the animal's gliding ability, remains uncertain. Here, we quantified the time-varying morphology and aerodynamics of complete, voluntary glides performed by a population of wild gliding lizards (Draco dussumieri) in a seven-camera motion capture arena constructed in their natural environment. Our findings, in conjunction with previous airfoil models, highlight how three-dimensional (3D) wing shape including camber, planform, and aspect ratio enables gliding flight and effective aerodynamic performance by the lizard up to and over an angle of attack (AoA) of 55° without cat

SUBMITTER: Khandelwal PC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8811005 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature