Mechanics of Movement Videos

High Speed videography and video analysis are one of the research tools used by the Patek Lab when studying the mechanics of movement. Below are a selection of videos used in past research.
All | Mechanics of Movement | Sound in the Sea | Mantis Shrimp | Spiny Lobster | Trap-Jaw Ant | Miscellaneous
  • See video

    A peacock mantis shrimp (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Odontodactylidae: Odontodactylus scyllarus) strikes a snail shell at astonishing speeds. This video was filmed at 5000 frames per second and is played here at approximately 15 frames...

  • See video

    When a mantis shrimp (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Odontodactylidae: Odontodactylus scyllarus) strikes at extreme speeds, cavitation forms between the appendage and the target. Cavitation itself causes extremely high pressure when the...

  • See video

    A peacock mantis shrimp (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Odontodactylidae: Odontodactylus scyllarus) strikes a force sensor with its raptorial appendage. This video is a close-up view of the mantis shrimp's "hammer" (the dactyl) and was...

  • See video

    A peacock mantis shrimp (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Odontodactylidae: Odontodactylus scyllarus) uses its raptorial appendage to strike snail shell. Because of the extreme speed of the strike, a sheet of cavitation forms over the...

  • See video

    Trap-jaw ant mandibles close at extremely high speeds. This movie was filmed at 50,000 frames per second and is played here at 30 frames per second. It shows a dorsal view of the mandibles closing onto a thin wire.

  • See video

    This peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) uses its hammer-shaped appendages to smash open hard-shelled prey. This is a "regular speed" video showing an individual successfully opening a snail shell.

  • See video

    Jaw jumping in trap-jaw ants can be elicited through "dangerous" situations, such as when an intruder enters the arena. This ant aims its jaws toward the ground and launches itself into the air. Filmed at 3000 frames per second, played back...

  • See video

    Trap-jaw ants (Odontomachus bauri) can launch themselves into the air to escape potential predators or aggressive intruders. This ant aimed its jaws toward the substrate and launched itself into the air. Filmed at 3000 frames per...

  • See video

    Trap-jaw ants can toss each other away during fights. This video shows two different species of Odontomachus trap-jaw ants fighting. Filmed at 3000 frames per second, played here at 30 frames per second.

  • See video

    This trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus bauri) fired its jaws against a pair of forceps and launched itself into the air. Filmed at 3000 frames per second and played back at 30 frames per second.