Social insect colonies (ants, bees, wasps, and termites) show sophisticated collective
problem-solving in the face of variable constraints. Individuals exchange information and …

Convergent evolution is a common phenomenon, independently leading to similar
morphologies in different evolutionary lineages. Often similar functional demands drive …

Elaterid beetles have evolved to 'click'their bodies in a unique maneuver. When this
maneuver is initiated from a stationary position on a solid substrate, it results in a jump not …

Abstract Flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) are a hyperdiverse
group of organisms with approximately 9900 species worldwide. In addition to walking as …

Energetic trade-offs are particularly pertinent to bio-ballistic systems which impart energy to
projectiles exclusively during launch. We investigated such trade-offs in the spring-propelled …

Animals use a variety of escape mechanisms to increase the probability of surviving
predatory attacks. Antipredator defenses can be elaborate, making their evolutionary origin …

Stretching elastic tissues and using their recoil to power movement allows organisms to
release energy more rapidly than by muscle contraction directly, thus amplifying power …

Generalist predators can play an important role in agroecosystems by controlling herbivores
via top-down effects. As cover crops are increasingly used in agroecosystems, the effects of …

Ants in the genera Anochetus and Odontomachus belong to one of the largest clades in the
subfamily Ponerinae, and are one of four lineages of ants possessing spring-loaded “trap …

Animals deliver and withstand physical impacts in diverse behavioral contexts, from
competing rams clashing their antlers together to archerfish impacting prey with jets of water …