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Journal of Experimental Biology 138,455-469 (1988)
Published by Company of Biologists 1988

Mechanisms of Coupling Between the Ipsilateral Legs of a Walking Insect (Carausius Morosus)

H. CRUSE ¹ and W. SCHWARZE ¹

¹ Universität Bielefeld, Fakultät fur Biologie Postfach 8640, D-4800 Bielefeld 1, FRG

The mechanisms by which the legs of a stick insect influence one another during walking were investigated by running the animals on a horizontal plane covered with a thin film of silicone oil to prevent mechanical coupling between the legs. Coupling between ipsilateral legs was investigated by interrupting the retraction (power stroke) of a leg for a short time and observing how the legs return to normal coordination following this disturbance.

The results show that three ipsilateral coupling mechanisms exist: (a) a forwarddirected influence that inhibits the start of a protraction of the leg as long as the posterior leg is performing a protraction; (b) a forward-directed influence that excites the start of a protraction of the leg when the posterior leg starts a retraction movement; (c) a backward-directed influence that excites the start of a protraction, the influence being stronger the further the anterior leg has moved backwards during its retraction. The latter influence depends on the position but not the phase of the anterior leg.

Key words: walking, leg coordination, insects, Carausius

Accepted on May 10, 1988

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