Motor activity and trajectory control during escape jumping in the locust <Emphasis Type="Italic">Locusta migratoria</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Roger?D?SanterEmail author Yoshifumi?Yamawaki F?Claire?Rind Peter?J?Simmons |
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Institution: | (1) School of Biology, Ridley Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK;(2) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan |
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Abstract: | We investigated the escape jumps that locusts produce in response to approaching objects. Hindleg muscular activity during
an escape jump is similar to that during a defensive kick. Locusts can direct their escape jumps up to 50° either side of
the direction of their long axis at the time of hindleg flexion, allowing them to consistently jump away from the side towards
which an object is approaching. Variation in jump trajectory is achieved by rolling and yawing movements of the body that
are controlled by the fore- and mesothoracic legs. During hindleg flexion, a locust flexes the foreleg ipsilateral to its
eventual jump trajectory and then extends the contralateral foreleg. These foreleg movements continue throughout co-contraction
of the hindleg tibial muscles, pivoting the locust’s long axis towards its eventual jump trajectory. However, there are no
bilateral differences in the motor programs of the left and right hindlegs that correlate with jump trajectory. Foreleg movements
enable a locust to control its jump trajectory independent of the hindleg motor program, allowing a decision on jump trajectory
to be made after the hindlegs have been cocked in preparation for a jump. |
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Keywords: | Kicking Locomotion Motor program Steering Electromyogram |
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