Mechanical properties of glycerinated fibres from the tymbal muscles of a Brazilian cicada

Abstract

1. Some of the properties of glycerinated fibres from the synchronous tymbal muscles of the cicada Fidicina rana have been investigated.2. In the presence of suitable concentrations of ATP and calcium ions, the fibres are able to perform oscillatory work when subjected to small sinusoidal length changes in the frequency range 2-30 c/s.3. When subjected to abrupt changes in length, active fibres show a delayed increase in tension after a stretch and a delayed decrease in tension after release.4. The muscle fibres therefore show the mechanical properties characteristic of glycerinated fibres from asychronous insect flight muscles. Some implications of this finding in relation to the evolution of asynchronous muscles are discussed.