Data from: Snap-jaw morphology is specialized for high-speed power amplification in the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae

What is the limit of animal speed and what mechanisms produce the fastest
movements? More than natural history trivia, the answer provides key
insight into the form-function relationship of musculoskeletal movement
and can determine the outcome of predator-prey interactions. The fastest
known animal movements belong to arthropods, including trap-jaw ants,
mantis shrimp, and froghoppers, that have incorporated latches and springs
into their appendage systems to overcome the limits of muscle power. In
contrast to these examples of power amplification, where separate
structures act as latch and spring to accelerate an appendage, some
animals use a “snap-jaw” mechanism that incorporates the latch and spring
on the accelerating appendage itself. We examined the kinematics and
functional morphology of the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae, who use a
snap-jaw mechanism to quickly slide their mandibles across each other
similar to a finger snap. Kinematic analysis of high-speed video revealed
that snap-jaw ant mandibles complete their strike in as little as 23 μsec
and reaching peak velocities of 90 m s-1, making them the fastest known
animal appendage. Finite element analysis demonstrated that snap-jaw
mandibles were less stiff than biting non-power-amplified mandibles,
consistent with their use as a flexible spring. These results extend our
understanding of animal speed and demonstrate how small changes in
morphology can result in dramatic differences in performance.