To attach reliably on various inclined rough surfaces, many insects have evolved both claws and adhesive pads on their feet. However, the interaction between these organs still remains unclear. Here we designed an artificial attachment device, which mimics the structure and function of claws and adhesive pads, and tested it on stiff spheres of different dimensions. The results show that the att...

Here we report on a large brachyuran crab species from the Late Cretaceous of Mexico that has claws indicative of highly specialized shell-breaking behaviour. This crab possessed dimorphic claws (the right larger than the left), armed with several broad teeth, including a curved tooth structure found at the base of the movable finger of the right claw. The curved tooth is similar to the one obs...

Poeciliid fish, freshwater fish with internal fertilization, are known for the diversity of structures on the male intromittent organ, the gonopodium. Prominent among these, in some species, is a pair of claws at its tip. We conducted a manipulative study of these claws in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, to determine if these aid in transferring sperm to resistant females. We compared the sperm...

The deleterious effects of mercury (Hg) contamination are well documented in humans and wildlife. Chronic exposure via diet maternal transfer two pathways which increase the toxicological risk for wild populations. However, few studies examined physiological impact Hg crocodilians. We investigated neonate Smooth-fronted Caimans, Paleosuchus trigonatus , use keratinized tissues blood to evaluate...

The male and the tritonymph of Ioanella mimon are described for the first time parasitizing to Mimon cozumelae from Yucatan, Mexico. Male of Ioanella mimon is characterized by the presence of legs I with the tibia and tarsus fused forming a small complex devoided of apical claws, legs II-IV with two claws, setae vi at level of anterior end of genital plate, genital plate rounded with an anterio...

Abstract The histology and growth of reptilian crocodilian claws (ungues) have been extensively studied; however, Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus ) not received adequate attention. Furthermore, age estimations for remain unexplored, despite being used in long‐term dietary reconstruction studies, assuming certain age‐related patterns. In this study, we investigate the patterns claws, aimin...

Two new species of freshwater Eutardigrada are described from Sicily: Isohypsibius rusticus sp. nov. and Isohypsibius zappalai sp. nov. The former species has eye spots, ornamented body surface with many, variously sized tubercles; bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Isohypsibius type; pharyngeal bulb with apophyses and two rod-shaped macroplacoids; microplacoid absent; claws, of the Isohypsibius...

Lameness causes major financial losses and welfare problems in dairy herds. Prevention of foot lesions may suffice in the majority of lameness cases. The objectives of this longitudinal study were to describe the dynamics and associations between abnormal hind leg conformation, asymmetric claws, lameness, and foot lesions in 122 Danish Holstein heifers from an average of 41 d before first calvi...

This study was conducted among 18 lactating crossbred cows that had clinical lameness associated with painful sole lesions. Claw dimensions were recorded using standard techniques from affected claws in selected animals before functional hoof trimming and compared values. A significant (p < 0.01) increase the toe height claw diagonal of observed when to Toe angle heel significantly lower No ...