October 23, 2015
What comes after the leap for cane toads?
In the amphibian world, cane toads (Bufo marinus) are masters of landing. Due to their ability to decelerate their body after a hop by balancing on their forelimbs, they are able to land efficiently, allowing quick transitions between hops. However, in order to successfully prepare for landing, cane toads must activate their forelimb muscles at the proper time and with the necessary magnitude. This requires integration of the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive information they receive before and during a hop - but which senses are most important in this process? In search for these answers, I worked with Gary Gillis and Zanne Cox at Mount Holyoke College studying the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of coordinated landing. Specifically, I examined hops in which cane toads leaped onto a slanted surface or from an unstable take-off platform, in an attempt to analyze the roles that visual and vestibular sensory feedback play in successful landings. To learn more, LEAP into this presentation!
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