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Segment-specific and state-dependent targeting accuracy of the stick insect
Anne Wosnitza1, Jennifer Engelen, Matthias Gruhn
1University of Cologne, Biocenter, Zoological Institute, Department for Animal Physiology, Zülpicher Straße 47b, 50694 Cologne, Germany.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|August 17, 2013
Summary
Stick insects (Carausius morosus) use targeting movements with their legs to find support. This study reveals hindlegs and middle legs exhibit targeting, with accuracy varying by leg and movement direction.
Area of Science:
- Insect locomotion
- Biomechanics
- Neuroethology
Background:
- Stick insects (Carausius morosus) navigate complex environments by climbing.
- Previous research suggested hindlegs perform targeting movements for support.
- The role of other legs and walking context in targeting remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if middle legs also perform targeting movements.
- To determine if targeting persists in walking stick insects without ground contact.
- To analyze targeting precision in relation to leg position and movement direction.
Main Methods:
- Studied targeting in hindlegs and middle legs of Carausius morosus.
- Manipulated positions of rostral legs (middle or front) relative to the body.
- Analyzed touchdown positions and targeting precision in static and walking (tethered) conditions.
Main Results:
- Hindleg touchdown positions correlated with middle leg positions (parallel and perpendicular).
- Middle and front leg correlations were weak and only parallel.
- Targeting accuracy in walking insects was similar for hindlegs and middle legs parallel to the body axis.
- Targeting accuracy significantly improved perpendicular to the body axis in walking insects.
Conclusions:
- A neural mechanism for controlling posterior leg touchdown exists in stick insects.
- The strength of this targeting mechanism is segment-specific.
- Targeting precision depends on the behavioral context, particularly movement direction.
