GERALD, G. W.*; CLAUSSEN, D. L.; Miami University, Oxford, OH; Miami University, Oxford, OH: Thermal influences on the velocity of neonate brown snakes (Storeria dekayi) during three different modes of locomotion Studies investigating the locomotor performance of neonate animals are scarce. Compared to adults, the enhancement of a neonate�s locomotor performance should be under strong […]

HORNER, A.M.*; JAYNE, B.C.; University of Cincinnati; University of Cincinnati: The effects of viscosity on the axial motor pattern of the lungfish ( Protopterus annectens) during lateral undulatory swimming Individual organisms often must move in different environments. For example, an amphibious animal living in either an estuarine or ephemeral freshwater ecosystem encounters a variety of […]

O’REILLY, J.C.*; SOUZA, C.A.; COSTA, M.C.; DA SILVA, N.J.; Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; Univ. Cat�lica de Goi�s, Goi�nia, Brazil; Univ. Cat�lica de Goi�s, Goi�nia, Brazil; Univ. Cat�lica de Goi�s, Goi�nia, Brazil: The Mechanism of Burrowing in Leposternon microcephalum (Squamata: Amphisbaenia) Amphisbaenians with a dorso-ventrally flattened skulls (�spade� or �shovel-snouted�) have been described as […]

DEUFEL, A. *; BRUCE, S. D.; Minot State University; Minot State University: Burrowing with a Kinetic Snout in a Snake (Elapidae: Aspidelaps scutatus) Few elongate, fossorial vertebrates have been examined for their mechanics of burrowing. Of those that have, all were found to use an akinetic, reinforced skull to push into the soil, powered mostly […]

GARTNER, G.E.A.*; O’REILLY, J.C.; University of Miami, Florida; University of Miami, Florida: Are caeciliid caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) superior burrowers? Caecilians are limbless, burrowing amphibians that are found throughout most of the humid tropics. Previous studies have concluded that there is a general trend among caecilians towards a more fossorial lifestyle that is reflected in morphological […]

PADIAN, K.*; DIAL, K.P.; University of California, Berkeley; University of Montana, Missoula: Was there a “four-winged” transitional stage between dinosaurs and birds? The recent discovery of long leg feathers on the first known bird, the Jurassic Archaeopteryx, a related small non-avian Cretaceous theropod, Microraptor, and a basal Cretaceous enantiornithine bird has fueled speculation that the […]

SWARTZ, S*; GALVAO, R; IRIARTE-DIAZ, J; ISRAELI, E; MIDDLETON, K; ROEMER, R; TIAN, X; BREUER, K; Brown University; Brown University; Brown University; Brown University; Brown University; Brown University; Brown University; Brown University: Unique characteristics of aerodynamics of bat flight: evidence from direct visualization of patterns of airflow in the wakes of naturally flying bats The […]

BUNDLE, M/W*; DIAL, K/P; Rice University, Houston ; Univeristy Of Montana, Missoula: Power requirements of bird flight with additional mass In the wild, birds routinely fly appreciable distances supporting the weight of prey items, nest material, water, and short-term fat stores. Under experimental conditions, subject animals are often encumbered with recording equipment (e.g. satellite transmitters, […]

COMBES, S.A.*; DUDLEY, R.; Univ. of California, Berkeley: Limits to maximum flight velocity: Pitch control and roll instability in orchid bees during fast, forward flight Maximum velocity is a critical component of flight performance, but observing or eliciting maximum flight speeds is difficult in most flying animals. Flight velocity is thought to be limited by […]

BERG, A.M.*; BIEWENER, A.A.; Harvard University; Harvard University: Differences among Ascending, Level, and Descending Flapping Flight Rock pigeons (Columba livia) flew along paths of varying angles of ascent and descent. Flights at angles of 60, 30, 0, -30, and -60 degrees were recorded with high-speed video. Kinematic marks were then digitized. During ascending flight, pigeons […]