An investigation of gecko attachment on wet and rough substrates leads to the application of surface roughness power spectral density analysis.

ABSTRACT: The roughness and wettability of surfaces exploited by free-ranging geckos can be highly variable and attachment to these substrates is context dependent (e.g., presence or absence of surface water). Although previous studies focus on the effect of these variables on attachment independently, geckos encounter a variety of conditions in their natural environment simultaneously. Here, we measured maximum shear load of geckos in air and when their toes were submerged underwater on substrates that varied in both surface roughness and wettability. Gecko attachment was greater in water than in air on smooth and rough hydrophobic substrates, and attachment to rough hydrophilic substrates did not differ when tested in air or water. Attachment varied considerably with surface roughness and characte

SUBMITTER: Palecek AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9262901 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature