Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects
10:19

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects

Published on: April 13, 2011

13.3K

Evidence toads may modulate landing preparation without predicting impact time.

S M Cox1, Gary Gillis2

  • 1Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA scox0@engin.umass.edu.

Biology Open
|November 30, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Cane toads (Bufo marinus) use a sophisticated motor control strategy to achieve dynamic stability during landings. They align their forelimbs with the body's velocity vector before impact, reducing landing torques.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Interaction of Compliance and Activation on the Force-Length Operating Range and Force Generating Capacity of Skeletal Muscle: A Computational Study using a Guinea Fowl Musculoskeletal Model.

Integrative organismal biology (Oxford, England)·2020
Same author

The effect of size-scale on the kinematics of elastic energy release.

Soft matter·2019
Same author

Beyond power amplification: latch-mediated spring actuation is an emerging framework for the study of diverse elastic systems.

The Journal of experimental biology·2019
Same author

American Society of Biomechanics Journal of Biomechanics Award 2017: High-acceleration training during growth increases optimal muscle fascicle lengths in an avian bipedal model.

Journal of biomechanics·2018
Same author

Smashing mantis shrimp strategically impact shells.

The Journal of experimental biology·2018
Same author

The Influence of Visual, Vestibular, and Hindlimb Proprioceptive Ablations on Landing Preparation in Cane Toads.

Integrative and comparative biology·2018

Area of Science:

  • Zoology
  • Biomechanics
  • Animal Locomotion

Background:

  • Anurans, particularly cane toads (Bufo marinus), exhibit controlled landings using forelimbs for deceleration and stabilization.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of dynamic stability in anurans across varied landing conditions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how cane toads achieve dynamic stability during landings.
  • To determine if forelimb orientation is adjusted based on landing conditions, specifically the impact angle.

Main Methods:

  • High-speed video analysis was employed to capture forelimb and body kinematics of six cane toads.
  • Toads were recorded hopping from platforms of varying heights (0, 5, and 9 cm) to simulate different landing scenarios.

Main Results:

Keywords:
ActiveBufo marinusControlForelimbLandingTorques

More Related Videos

Eye Tracking During A Complex Aviation Task For Insights Into Information Processing
07:48

Eye Tracking During A Complex Aviation Task For Insights Into Information Processing

Published on: April 4, 2025

1.4K
A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance
07:19

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance

Published on: March 19, 2020

6.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects
10:19

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects

Published on: April 13, 2011

13.3K
Eye Tracking During A Complex Aviation Task For Insights Into Information Processing
07:48

Eye Tracking During A Complex Aviation Task For Insights Into Information Processing

Published on: April 4, 2025

1.4K
A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance
07:19

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance

Published on: March 19, 2020

6.4K
  • Cane toads consistently align their forelimbs with the impact angle at the moment of touchdown.
  • Forelimb alignment with the instantaneous velocity vector occurs significantly before impact, with continuous tracking until landing.

Conclusions:

  • Toads proactively adjust forelimb orientation in anticipation of landing, rather than reacting to a specific impact moment.
  • This anticipatory motor control strategy enables cane toads to perform stable landings without needing to predict impact time.