Meeting Abstract

43.1  Monday, Jan. 5  Integrating locomotor mechanics and transport costs in a free-ranging gliding mammal BYRNES, G*; LIM, N; SPENCE, A. J.; Univ, of California, Berkeley; National Univ. of Singapore; Royal Veterinary College byrnes@berkeley.edu

Gliding has evolved independently at least six times in mammals. One hypothesis for the origin of gliding is that it is an energetically efficient form of locomotion. Using mathematical models of the costs of locomotion, it is possible to determine for a given glide distance if gliding is energetically favorable to quadrupedal locomotion. According to predictions of these models, large gliders must glide a longer distance in order for gliding to be more efficient. To determine if a free-ranging gliding mammal, the colugo (Galeopterus variegatus), minimizes locomotor costs by gliding, we examined the locomotor behavior of free-ranging colugos using custom-designed data-loggers. Using the logged center of mass dynamics data, both the glide distance and vertical distance climbed prior to each individual glide were estimated. From these data, the metabolic cost of gliding a given distance can be estimated. Comparing the cost of vertical climbing and gliding to quadrupedal locomotion, we found gliding locomotion to be more energetically costly for all but the longest glides. This suggests that the selective pressures shaping gliding behavior are more complex than maximizing locomotor efficiency. Examining locomotor mechanics and transport costs in the natural environment allows insights into the links between biomechanics, energetics, and the ecology of organisms.