title: Integrative biology of sticky feet in geckos.
abstract: Geckos have gained ecological access to novel microhabitats by exploiting intermolecular van der Waals forces, which allow them to climb smooth vertical surfaces. They use microscopic surface-based phenomena to thrive in a macroscopic mass- and kinetic energy-based world. Here we detail this as a premier example of integrative biology, spanning seven orders of magnitude and a lot of interesting biology. Emergent properties arising from molecular adhesion include several adaptive radiations that have produced a great diversity of geckos worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Integrative Biology C0930, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712-1064, USA. pianka@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Pianka
authors.forename: Samuel S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sweet
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D010802:Phylogeny