First Gear Mechanism Discovered In Nature

GameboyRMH writes "A gear mechanism has been discovered [paywalled original paper here, for those with access] for the first time in nature in the nymph of the Issus, a small plant-hopping insect common in Europe. It uses the gears to synchronize the movement and power of its hind legs, forcing the legs to propel it in a straight line when jumping, which would otherwise be impossible for the insect if it had to control the timing and force of its leg muscles independently."

Comments

Re:B effing S

[WilliamGeorge]

Also, I love that people are being amazed at how evolution resulted in such intricate mechanisms. If you found a car on another planet, where humans had never been, would you assume it evolved there? Or would you think someone created it? To me, this level of detail in nature is strong evidence for creation rather than evolution.

I hope that bug has a good lawyer

[bitt3n]

Apple already patented "a method of locomotion involving jumpy-springy gear-type thingamajigs or whatnot" and if the bug doesn't have a sizable patent portfolio for negotiating purposes, it's going to have to start walking around like everyone else. Also, the corners on that carapace are looking suspiciously rounded.