A close-up of damselfly lamellae in carbonated water. Lamellae are of particular interest for researching anti-predator traits in damselfly larvae. Lamellae provide thrust for swimming away and are used for respiration. Lamellae have also evolved in such a way that they pop off like lizard tails when grasped by predators. My research will be looking at confirming biomechanical hypotheses about joint width and how easily lamellae are removed and investigate behavioural control in the mechanism of lamellar autotomy.
