Locomotion and adhesion in geckos: The link between ecology, form, and function

动物不断面临着环境的挑战，这在一定程度上导致了动态和复杂的运动模式，以及允许动物在自然栖息地更有效地移动的创新。一个值得注意且非常有趣的创新是许多壁虎复杂的粘附系统。壁虎具有非凡的垂直爬行能力，有时还能倒立爬行。这种生物粘合剂系统激发了壁虎类机器人、粘合剂甚至手套的发展。虽然最近研究了粘合剂系统的微观结构和动力学，但对于如何以及何时使用该系统以及它对运动的力学和神经肌肉控制的影响知之甚少。此外，人们对壁虎在自然栖息地的活动方式以及脚趾形态的多样性（带有粘附系统）与生态学和生物力学的关系知之甚少。这个项目的重点是阐明壁虎形态和生态差异的功能后果，更一般地说，将评估不同群体壁虎的功能进化。研究人员将整合生物力学、生态学、比较方法和生理学的方法和知识来研究壁虎的运动。将采用在非洲的实地考察和涉及测力板、肌电图、高速摄像机和微成像等复杂技术和设备的实验室实验。除了推动对壁虎运动的理解外，利用结合实地和实验室研究的综合方法将大大加强对年轻科学家的培训，包括博士后研究员，美国和非洲的研究生以及本科生。学员将有机会学习复杂的实验室技术，以及获得宝贵的现场经验。学生和博士后将在国际科学会议上展示他们的研究成果，并在一级期刊上发表他们的研究成果。他们最终将获得成功的学术生涯所必需的独立性、经验和技能。这项工作的科学影响将是广泛的和跨学科的。例如，居住在表面结构截然不同的栖息地的物种也可能表现出宏观和微观形态的差异。通过了解最适合给定表面纹理的形态，工程团队可以设计出模仿壁虎粘合剂系统的表面特异性粘合剂。此外，了解动物在运动过程中的神经肌肉控制和力学，也将为壁虎机器人的控制提供必要的见解。

Animals constantly face challenges in their environment, which in part lead to dynamic and complex patterns of locomotion as well as innovations that allow animals to move more effectively in their natural habitat. One notable and extremely interesting innovation is the complex adhesive system of many geckos. Geckos are remarkable in their ability to climb vertically and sometimes in an upside-down posture. This biological adhesive system has inspired the development of gecko-like robots, adhesives, and even gloves. Although the microstructure and dynamics of the adhesive system have recently been examined, little is known about how and when this system is used and what impact it has on the mechanics and neuromuscular control of locomotion. In addition, little is known about how geckos move in their natural habitat and how the diversity in toe morphology (bearing the adhesive system) relates to ecology and biomechanics. This project is focused on illuminating the functional consequences of morphological and ecological disparity in geckos, and, more generally, will assess the evolution of function across disparate groups of geckos. The researchers will integrate approaches and knowledge from biomechanics, ecology, comparative methods, and physiology to examine locomotion in geckos. Both fieldwork in Africa and laboratory experiments involving sophisticated techniques and equipment such as force plates, electromyography, high-speed video cameras, and micro imaging will be employed. In addition to propelling the understanding of gecko locomotion, utilizing an integrative approach that incorporates field and lab studies will greatly enhance the training of young scientists, including a postdoctoral researcher, graduate students in the United States and Africa, and undergraduates. Trainees will have opportunities to learn sophisticated laboratory techniques, as well as gain valuable field experience. The students and postdoctoral fellow will present their work at international scientific meetings and publish their work in tier one journals. They will ultimately gain the independence, experience, and skills necessary for a successful academic career. The scientific impacts of this work will be wide-ranging and interdisciplinary. For example, it is likely that species occupying habitats with drastically different surface textures will also exhibit differences in macro and micro-morphology. By knowing what morphology best suits a given surface texture, engineering groups could design surface-specific adhesives that mimic the gecko adhesive system. In addition, understanding the neuromuscular control and mechanics during locomotion in an animal with an adhesive system will also provide insight into the control that is necessary for gecko-inspired robots.