Functional Morphology and Biomechanics of the 'Armature' of Stag Beetles.

In many animals, sexual selection has produced a conspicuous diversity of morphological structures (like horns, spines, tusks, etc.) used by males in disputes over access to females. Causal insights in relationships between shape, structure and functioning of this armature, as well as in trade-offs with other functions are essential to unravel the evolutionary developmental and ecological aspects of armature. Surprisingly enough, present knowledge is largely void of this basic information. This project precisely aims at filling in this gap in knowledge via the detailed functional morphological and biomechanical analysis of armature in stag beetles. (Lucanidae)

Keywords:EVOLUTIONARY MORPHOLOGY, FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY, BIOMECHANICS

Disciplines:Animal biology, Biomechanics, Veterinary medicine