Concentration of setae on foot

Value 14400 setae/mm^2
Organism Lizard Gecko
Reference Autumn K et al. Evidence for van der Waals adhesion in gecko setae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Sep 17 99(19):12252-6. p.12254 right column bottom paragraphPubMed ID12198184
Primary Source Schleich, H. H. & Ka¨stle, W. (1986) Amphibia-Reptilia 7, 141–166. DOI: 10.1163/156853886X00361
Comments "There are 3,600 tetrads of setae per mm^2 (primary source), or 14,400 setae per mm^2." "Seta (singular) or Setae (plural) is a biological term derived from the Latin word for "bristle."(wikipedia) Primary source abstract:"The investigation of Gekkonid toe-pads by scanning electron microscope revealed a wide diversity of "setae" formed by the "Oberhäutchen". These structures differ in many respects: size, shape, density and degree of branching. Several types can be combined. A totally aberrant form is present in Teratoscincus : "rosettes" of jagged horny sheets. The small, tapering slightly curved and equally spaced "spines" are supposed to be the most primitive ones. They occur in many genera with narrow digits but can also be associated with long and branched setae on broad adhesive pads. The relations of the investigated structures to digit gross morphology and function are discussed. They are most evident in genera with highly differentiated broad adhesive pads."
Entered by Uri M
ID 110229