Almirón M. G., Martínez Carretero E. E., Navas M. D., Pantano M. V., Morphology and mechanical properties of junctions: Implications on the success of clonal spread of cacti, Journal of Arid Environments, 2016, 128:8-11, doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.01.001
A biomechanical experiment on 30 three-segment branches of Tephrocactus aoracanthus. The authors measured segment geometry, joint area, deflection and the load causing separation. The results link the greater brittleness of young joints to clonal reproduction.