Insect Biomechanics Workgroup

Dr. Christofer Clemente

clemente rowland.harvard.edu

Research

I am interested in locomotion, particularly how locomotion forms the link between morphology and ecology. I previously studied the evolution of locomotion within monitor lizards, at the University of Western Australia. The focus of this research was on speed, acceleration and endurance across 18 different species, but a particular emphasis was placed on differences in the biomechanical movement of the hindlimbs and how differences allow certain lizards to be effective climbers or sprinters. I also studied Australian dragon lizards, which are capable of bouts of bipedal locomotion. We showed that this locomotion is due to torque around the hip joint making the lizards ‘pop a wheelie’.
I have since started a postdoctoral position at Cambridge examining adhesive mechanisms in cockroaches and other insects, examining what allows them to swiftly run or climb vertical structures. I am particularly interested in functional differences between different adhesive pads of insects.

Recent publications

  • Clemente, C. & Federle, W. (2012): Mechanisms of self-cleaning in fluid-based smooth adhesive pads of insects. Bioinspir. Biomim. 7 046001
  • Clemente C., Beale A., Bullock J., and Federle W. (2010) Evidence for self-cleaning in fluid-based smooth and hairy adhesive systems of insects. Journal of Experimental Biology 213, 635-642.
  • Federle, W. Clemente, C. and Dirks, J.H. (2009). A new type of insect repellent surfaces. UK patent application GB0904045.2, filed on 9 March 2009.
  • Dirks, J.-H., Clemente, C. J. and Federle, W. (2010) Insect tricks: two-phasic foot pad secretion prevents slipping. Journal of The Royal Society Interface 7, 587-593.
  • Fry, B.G. Wroe, S. Teeuwisse, W. van Osch, M. Moreno, K. Ingle, J. McHenry, C. Ferrara, T. Clausen, P. Scheib, H. Winter, K.L. Greisman, L. Roelants, K. van der Weerd, L. Clemente, C.J. Giannakis, E. Hodgson, W.C. Luz, S. Martelli, P. Krishnasamy, K. Kochva, E. Kwok, H.F. Scanlon, D. Karas, J. Citron, D.M. Goldstein, E.J.C. Mcnaughtan, J.E. and Norman, J.A. (2009) Central role for venom in predation by the Komodo Dragon and the giant extinct Megalania. PNAS 106(22): 8969-8974.
  • Clemente, C.J. Dirks, J. Barbero, D. Steiner, U. and Federle, W. (2009) Friction ridges in cockroach climbing pads: anisotropy of shear stress measured on transparent, microstructured substrates. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 195: 805-814.
  • Clemente, C.J. Thompson, G.G. and Withers, P.C. (2009) Evolutionary relationships of sprint speed in Australian varanid lizards. Journal of Zoology (London) 278 (4): 270-280. [cover picture]
  • Clemente, C.J. and Federle, W. (2008) Pushing versus pulling: division of labour between tarsal attachment pads in cockroaches. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 275: 1329-1336.
  • Clemente, C.J. Withers, P.C. and Thompson, G.G. (2009) Metabolic rate and endurance capacity in Australian varanid lizards (Squamata; Varanidae; Varanus). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 97: 664-676.
  • Thompson, G.G., Clemente, C.J., Withers P.C., Fry, B.G. and Norman, J.A. (2008) Is body shape of Varanid lizards linked with retreat choice? Australian Journal of Zoology 56: 351-362.
  • Clemente, C.J. Withers, P.C. and Thompson, G.G. (2008) Higher than predicted endurance for juvenile goannas (Varanidae; Varanus). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Western Australia 91: 265-267.
  • Clemente, C.J. Withers, P.C. Thompson, G. and Lloyd, D. (2008) Why go bipedal? Locomotion and morphology in Australian agamid lizards. Journal of Experimental Biology 211: 2058. [cover picture]
  • Clemente, C.J. McMaster, K.A. Fox, L. Meldrum, L. Main, B.Y. and Stewart, T. (2005) Visual acuity in the sheet-web building Badumna insignis  (Araneae, Desidae). Journal of Arachnology 33: 726-734.
  • Clemente, C.J. Thompson, G.G. Withers, P.C. and Lloyd, D. (2002) Kinematics, maximal metabolic rate, sprint and endurance for a slow-moving lizard, the Thorny devil (Moloch horridus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 52: 487-503.

Abstracts

  • Clemente CJ, Beale A, Bullock JMR, and Federle W, (2009) Evidence for self-cleaning in fluid-based smooth and hairy adhesive systems of insects. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 153A/2S: 123-123.
  • Clemente C, Withers P, Thompson G. (2008) Why go bipedal? Locomotion and morphology in Australian agamid lizards. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 150: 86-87.
  • Federle W, Clemente C, Endlein T. (2008) Pushing and pulling: direction dependence of insect attachment structures. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 150: 87.
  • Clemente C, Withers P, Thompson G, Lloyd D. (2007) Adaptation of biomechanics in Australian arboreal varanids. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 146: 146.

Media

Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom