Level locomotion in wood ants: evidence for grounded running

摘要: In order to better understand the strategies of locomotion in small insects, we have studied continuous level wood ant species Formica polyctena. We determined three-dimensional centre mass kinematics during gait cycle and recorded ground reaction forces single legs utilising a self-developed test site. Our findings show that animals used same dynamics across wide speed range without dissolving tripodal stride pattern. To achieve higher velocities, ants proportionally increased length stepping frequency. The energetics indicated bouncing gait, which horizontal kinetic gravitational potential energy fluctuated close phase. high degree compliance especially front legs, as effective leg was nearly halved contact This leads only vertical oscillations body, are important maintaining contact. Bouncing gaits aerial phases seem be common strategy runners can sufficiently described by bipedal spring-loaded inverted pendulum model. Thus, with our results, provide evidence perform ‘grounded running’.