Intersegmental coupling and recovery from perturbations in freely running cockroaches

• Published in: Journal of experimental biology Vol. 218; no. 2; pp. 285 - 297
• Main Authors: Couzin-Fuchs, Einat, Kiemel, Tim, Gal, Omer, Ayali, Amir, Holmes, Philip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Company of Biologists 15.01.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cockroaches - physiology; Extremities - physiology; Running; Locomotion; Central pattern generator; Phase oscillators; Leg perturbation; Intersegmental coordination

Cockroaches are remarkably stable runners, exhibiting rapid recovery from external perturbations. To uncover the mechanisms behind this important behavioral trait, we recorded leg kinematics of freely running animals in both undisturbed and perturbed trials. Functional coupling underlying inter-leg...