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A novel method of self‐righting in the springtail Sminthurus viridis (Insecta: Collembola)
Author(s) -
Brackenbury John
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1990.tb04033.x
Subject(s) - springtail , biology , tentacle (botany) , tube (container) , anatomy , zoology , ecology , mechanical engineering , ecotoxicology , engineering
Photographic evidence shows that the ventral tube can be used as a tentacle‐like mechanical aid for self‐righting from an inverted position. It is proposed that the extraordinary length of the vesicles of the ventral tube in globular springtails has been evolved in order to combat postural instabilities resulting from spherical symmetry of body form.