USHERWOOD, J.R.; LARSON, S.G.; BERTRAM, J.E.A.: Mechanisms of force and power production in unsteady ricochetal brachiation Force production and kinematics during ricochetal brachiation of white handed gibbons Hylabates lar were recorded. Both the mechanisms of force production, and power input, may be inferred for accelerating and decelerating brachiation by combining force data with kinematics. Examples […]

REILLY, Stephen M.*; WILLEY, Jeffrey S.; BIKNEVICIUS, Audrone R.: Locomotory dymanics of a Semi-erect posture: Correlating kinematics with kinetics in walking alligators. Ground reaction forces, whole body mechanics and limb kinematics were quantified for alligators as several subjects walked over force platforms. Kinematic and kinetic analyses will be brought together to describe the dynamic relationships […]

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 […]

HALE, M. E.: The neural basis of aquatic locomotion: Examining neuron activity and behavior with functional imaging. A major question in motor control research is: How do neural circuits in the spinal cord generate movements? Recently developed optical imaging techniques provide powerful ways to examine the neural basis of behavior in vertebrates. These methods are […]

WYNEKEN, Jeanette; KELSO, Kate; NGUYEN, Thinh: Range of Movement, Morphological Constraint, and Swimming Performnace in Marine Turtle Flippers. The swimming of sea turtles is distinct from that of other living turtle taxa. The primary stroke used during cruising is the powerstroke or subaqueous flight. This stroke has large dorso-ventral and medio-lateral components. The sea turtle […]

BLOB, R.W.*; SCANGA, E.L.; WESTNEAT, M.W.: Locomotion in juvenile turtles: effects of size on hindlimb kinematics and muscle function Juvenile animals may experience different locomotor forces than adults because they are smaller and can have different body proportions. Consequently, limb kinematics and motor patterns might change dramatically as animals grow. We tested for size-correlated changes […]