Data from: Quasi-static force requirements are not sufficient to explain arolium engagement in climbing Argentine ants

In this study, we tested whether Argentine ants distribute their arolium engagement across legs according to required normal forces predicted by a quasi-static model. A high-speed camera recorded Argentine ants climbing on a vertical Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR) sensor. Ants' kinematics and arolium engagement status were collected during this study. This dataset contains the data and R code for the plots and statistical analyses in this study, including: (1) data and R code to analyze Tripod Coordination Strength (TCS), (2) body orientation data, (3) data and R code to analyze binary engagement status (engaged/not engaged) across climbing directions, leg positions, stance types and how it changes over time, (4) data and R code to analyze whether arolium engagement intensity increases with required adhesion forces, (5) data and R code to analyze the temporal variation of arolium engagement intensity, and (6) data and R code to analyze the acceleration along the climbing direction. The dataset is suitable for reuse in comparative studies of insect adhesion and climbing kinematics.