HOLLIS, D.H.*; BOYD, S.K.: Characterization and distribution of [3H]muscimol binding to a GABA-A-like receptor in the bullfrog brain. The inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has multiple receptor subtypes. The GABAA receptor is widespread in the mammalian brain, but little is known about GABA receptors in the amphibian brain. Binding of the GABAA receptor agonist, [3H]muscimol, […]

ROSEN, G.*; WADE, J.: Androgen metabolism in the green anole lizard brain 5ALPHA-reductase facilitates male courtship behavior in green anole lizards by converting testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone. The present study was done to determine whether sex and seasonal differences in the enzyme’s activity occur in the anole brain, reflecting its role in male courtship behavior. […]

LAMMERS, A.R.: Stability on arboreal substrates: the interaction between branch diameter and limb kinematics Arboreal and terrestrial locomotion differ in several important ways; for example, proficient climbers must remain stable while branch diameter and incline changes. Climbing animals can increase stability on arboreal substrates by adjusting their gait, duty factor, and limb angles. Non-arboreal specialists […]

PARCHMAN, Andrew J.*; REILLY, Stephen M.: Locomotion in a semi-erect mammal: Whole body mechanics and gait patterns in the Pygmy Opossum, Monodelphis Domestica Most studies of locomotor mechanics have focussed on species utilizing erect postures that take advantage of energy saving mechanisms during walking (pendular exchange of kinetic and potential energies) and running (storing and […]

VANHOOYDONCK, BIEKE*; JIMENEZ, MARTIN; IRSCHICK, DUNCAN J.: Effects of surface diameter on acceleration in arboreal lizards Few studies have examined how environmental factors affect acceleration, and none have examined the effects of surface diameter on acceleration. Many animal species occur in habitats that vary in surface dimensions, particularly arboreal lizards. We studied the effects of […]

IRSCHICK, DUNCAN J.*; BOCCHI, STEVE; FULL, ROBERT J.: Does Power Limit Climbing Performance? Loading Small Climbing Lizards Previous studies showed that power output does not limit the maximum running speed of lizards on the level. Geckos have an extraordinary ability to climb at high speeds. The ability of animals to produce power may not limit […]

ESSNER, RL: A Comparison of Locomotor Behavior and Habitat Use in Gliding and Nongliding Squirrels An important component of functional morphological studies is the establishment of ecological relevance. For example, among arboreal animals, it has been demonstrated that differential habitat use among taxa is consistent with morphological variation. Moreover, studies in arboreal taxa have shown […]

DRUCKER, E.G.*; LAUDER, G.V.; University of California, Irvine; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA: Locomotor function of the dorsal fin in teleost fishes: propulsor design and wake dynamics A major evolutionary transformation of the locomotor system of teleost fishes is the morphological elaboration of the dorsal fin. In basal teleost clades, the dorsal fin typically is a […]

LONG, JR., J H*; ROOT, R G; WATTS, P; Vassar College; Lafayette College; Applied Fluids Engineering: Is an undulating fish an oscillating wing? Using 3D computational fluid dynamics, we previously found that pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus, appear to swim steadily using the head and body as an oscillating, unsteady wing with bound vorticity, alternating camber, […]

LIAO, James. C.; Harvard University: How trout interact with K�rm�n vortices behind a cylinder: insights from kinematics, electromyography, and flow visualization. Trout match their swimming kinematics to the shed vortices behind cylinders (i.e. adopt the K�rm�n gait) at relatively high flow speeds when cylinder diameter approaches half the total body length. The K�rm�n gait is […]