Meeting Abstract
The photic environment can influence whole-organismal performance as motor output may be adjusted based upon the amount of sensory information being received. For example, the amount of light available for an organism to see can affect function as the optic flow and depth perception may be reduced. Therefore, organisms in low light environments may have to adjust their motor output to compensate for reduced visual information. To date, most studies have examined animal performance under full spectrum light, including nocturnal animals. Our understanding of whole-organismal performance is therefore limited to organism’s functioning under full spectrum light, and may not represent performance under more ecologically relevant conditions. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of ambient light level on the takeoff performance of a nocturnal gliding mammal. Specifically, using four trained sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) we examined their kinematics during takeoff under full spectrum light (lux = 97.17 ± 15.53 (s.d.)) and near dark (lux = 0.939 ± 0.388 (s.d.)) at fixed takeoff heights and distances. Using mixed models, we found that under near dark conditions gliders had increased takeoff heights, vertical velocities and body angles. However, there was no difference in total velocity, acceleration, or kinetic power. These results suggest that when visual information is limited, gliders jump higher and faster at takeoff, potentially to increase their glide height and prolong their glide distance. This may help compensate for the limited visual information to ensure they reach their target.
