AUTHOR=Russell Anthony P. , Garner Austin M. TITLE=Setal Field Transects, Evolutionary Transitions and Gecko–Anole Convergence Provide Insights Into the Fundamentals of Form and Function of the Digital Adhesive System of Lizards JOURNAL=Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering VOLUME=6 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/mechanical-engineering/articles/10.3389/fmech.2020.621741 DOI=10.3389/fmech.2020.621741 ISSN=2297-3079 ABSTRACT=
Recent years have witnessed a multitude of studies focusing on gekkotan adhesion. Intense interest in this phenomenon was triggered by the discovery of the manner and magnitude of the forces generated by the hair-like filaments (setae) on the toe pads and inspired the development of the next generation of smart, reversible synthetic adhesives. Most studies pursuing these goals have concentrated on the generalized form and properties of gekkotan setae outlined in those key early studies, resulting in the fabrication of synthetic filaments of uniform dimensions. Although there are over 1,800 species of extant geckos, and hundreds of species of anoles (a separate lizard lineage that has convergently evolved adhesive toe pads), most investigations have used relatively few species as the source of basic information, the Tokay gecko (