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HomeEnvironmentSalamanders Soar: The Secret of Their Blood-Powered Toes

Salamanders Soar: The Secret of Their Blood-Powered Toes

Wandering salamanders are famous for their ability to glide gracefully through the treetops of coastal redwood forests. However, the specific way these small amphibians manage to take off and land without difficulty has puzzled scientists. A recent study suggests that the explanation might lie in an unexpected factor: their blood-powered toes.

Wandering salamanders are renowned for gliding high above the ground in coastal redwood forests, yet the mechanics behind their smooth take-offs and landings have remained unclear.

A recent study published in the Journal of Morphology indicates that the answer relates significantly to a surprising mechanism: the salamanders’ blood-powered toes. A research team from Washington State University (WSU) discovered that wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) can quickly fill, trap, and drain blood in their toe tips, enhancing their ability to grip, release, and navigate their arboreal surroundings.

This research not only uncovers a previously unknown physiological ability in salamanders but also holds promise for bio-inspired design. Understanding how salamanders control their toe mechanics could influence the creation of new adhesives, prosthetics, and robotic limbs.

“Gecko-inspired adhesives already make it possible to reuse surfaces while maintaining stickiness,” explained Christian Brown, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in integrative physiology and neuroscience at WSU. “Gaining insights into salamander toes could lead to breakthroughs in attachment technologies as well.”

Discovery initiated by a documentary filming

Scientists have long been intrigued by the Aneides genus because of their uniquely square-shaped toe tips and the striking red blood “lakes” visible under their clear skin. Initially, it was believed that these traits helped with oxygenation, but there was no clear evidence to support this theory.

Brown’s interest in this topic grew after an unusual observation while filming the documentary “The Americas,” which will air on February 23 on NBC and Peacock. Acting as the resident salamander expert on set, he was able to observe the amphibians closely thanks to the production team’s advanced camera equipment.

What caught his attention was peculiar. Just before the salamanders took a step, blood surged into their delicate toe tips. Brown and camera assistant William Goldenberg witnessed this phenomenon multiple times, sharing puzzled looks as they realized they were observing something significant.

Although the production team moved on, Brown’s curiosity persisted. He contacted Goldenberg after the shoot to propose using his filming equipment to conduct a scientific and reproducible investigation of their observations.

Through high-resolution video experiments and further analysis at WSU’s Franceschi Microscopy & Imaging Center, Brown, Goldenberg, and their colleagues at WSU and Gonzaga University discovered that wandering salamanders can precisely manage blood flow to each side of their toe tips.

This ability enables them to adjust the pressure unevenly, enhancing their grip on irregular surfaces like tree bark. Surprisingly, the influx of blood just before “toe off” seems to assist in detaching rather than attaching. By slightly inflating their toe tips, salamanders can reduce the surface area in contact during detachment, thus requiring less energy to let go. This skill is vital for maneuvering across the uneven and slippery terrain of the redwood canopy and ensuring safe landings while transitioning between branches.

“When climbing a redwood with 18 toes clutching onto the bark, the capacity to detach effectively without harming your toes is crucial,” remarked Brown.

The implications of this research could extend beyond just Aneides vagrans. Similar blood-filled structures are found in other salamander species, suggesting a common method for regulating toe stiffness that may function differently based on their environment. Looking ahead, Brown and his team plan to broaden their research to explore this mechanism in various salamander species and their habitats.

“This could transform our comprehension of how salamanders traverse various environments,” concluded Brown.