A comparison of the adhesive setae on the feet of lizards and arthropods

Abstract

The adhesive setae on the feet of four species of climbing lizard are described and illustrated using scanning electron micrographs. In particular, attention is drawn to the fibrillar nature of the bases of the multi-branched gekkonid setae. Explanations of the differences between these adhesive setae and the simpler setae of other climbing lizards are suggested, drawing on the results and conclusions from previous detailed studies on the adhesive setae in beetles and other animals.