Tape- and Spatula-Shaped Microstructures

摘要: Spatula-like microstructures recruit adhesive forces by generating a close contact with the substrate due to elastic deformation. They usually occur at tip of bendable hair-like structures, such as setae or microtrichia, whose shafts additionally contribute overall conformability attachment device. Such spatulate hairs have analogously evolved in feet different animal groups and are efficient means dynamic attachment. The geckoes best-known example dry adhesive, based on this principle, but very similarly sized shaped structures also present many hunting spiders various mites order Trombidiformes. Fluid supplemented single, broad spatulae, known from beetles flies, some harvestmen Laniatores hooded tickspiders (Ricinulei). A unique type an pad micro-spatulae direct outgrowths epicuticle instead flattened tips is represented arolium whip-spiders families Charinidae Charontidae. These pads show mechanics mechanism comparable that hairy spiders, thus not other arolia having smooth surfaces. special tape-like structure dragline silk brown recluse spider (Loxosceles spp.), which tacky its thin, shape.