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The structure of fossorial (burrowing or boring) animals reflects their locomotor habits. Invertebrates and vertebrates have evolved a number of different locomotor patterns to penetrate soil, wood or stone. Some invertebrate (such as worms) may burrow using peristaltic locomotion generated by the alternation of longitudinal- and circular-muscle contraction waves flowing from head to tail. Others (such as molluscs) use the contract-anchor-extend method. In the case of reptiles and amphibians, burrowing is accomplished by alternating head movements, whereas in the case of mammals digging is achieved.
Metaphor
The structure of infrastructure-oriented groups or individual personalities reflects their mode of movement through relatively dense social or information structures characterized by complex procedures (whether of a modern administration or some traditional body) or by large quantities of minimally ordered information (as in any system of archives).
[Features]The tunnels resulting from such movement.
[Contrast]Terms such as 'barrowing' and 'boring' are frequently used, whether in relation to working through large quantities of data or to the penetration of some complex social structure. The terms 'bookworm' and 'mole' (as applied in espionage) reflect these perceptions. Little attention has, however, been given to the range of ways in which such movements are accomplished.
[Keys]Contribution of the earthworm to soil fertility. Movement of reptiles and insects through friable sand without resulting in tunnels. Wood borers.