Insect uses mechanical gears to coordinate jumping

AI Thread Summary
The discussion highlights a groundbreaking discovery regarding the flightless planthopper insect, Issus, which utilizes mechanical "gears" for coordinated jumping. This is a rare occurrence in the animal kingdom, as functional intermeshing gears have not been previously documented. The nymphs possess a unique arrangement of cuticular gear teeth on their hindleg trochantera that engage during the jumping process, allowing for synchronized movement of both hindlegs without causing yaw rotation. This mechanism is lost in adulthood, indicating a significant evolutionary adaptation. The findings emphasize the intricate ways nature has inspired mechanical design, showcasing the fascinating intersection of biology and engineering.
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Insect uses mechanical "gears" to coordinate jumping

journalist report:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/0912/Insect-uses-gears-to-jump-study-finds

scientific report:

abstract said:
Gears are found rarely in animals and have never been reported to intermesh and rotate functionally like mechanical gears. We now demonstrate functional gears in the ballistic jumping movements of the flightless planthopper insect Issus. The nymphs, but not adults, have a row of cuticular gear (cog) teeth around the curved medial surfaces of their two hindleg trochantera. The gear teeth on one trochanter engaged with and sequentially moved past those on the other trochanter during the preparatory cocking and the propulsive phases of jumping. Close registration between the gears ensured that both hindlegs moved at the same angular velocities to propel the body without yaw rotation. At the final molt to adulthood, this synchronization mechanism is jettisoned.

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1254
 
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This is really cool. I saw it in a Norwegian newspaper the other day, but thanks, Python, for bringing the link.
 

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