Fig. 2. A comparison of stick-and-slip sound production in stringed instruments and spiny lobsters. (A) In stringed instruments, a bow rubs over a string to generate sound. The string is modeled as a mass attached to a fixed point with a spring (representing the elasticity of the string). As the bow rubs over the string, the bow sticks to the string because of static frictional forces. When the spring extension causes sliding friction to exceed static friction, the bow slips over the surface of the mass, and the spring returns to the resting position. (B) The proposed mechanism of sound production in spiny lobsters in which a plectrum rubs over a file to generate pulsed sounds. The plectrum is modeled as moveable unit consisting of a mass attached to two springs; the file is fixed in place. A series of sound pulses is produced when the static friction between the plectrum and file surfaces is periodically exceeded as the plectrum is pulled over the file. When the plectrum slips over the file, a sound pulse is produced. Adapted from Patek (2001a,b).

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