SPONBERG, S.; HANSEN, W.; PEATTIE, A.; AUTUMN, K.: Dynamics of Isolated Gecko Setal Arrays Geckos have the extraordinary ability to run up walls, and to adhere to even molecularly smooth surfaces. The ventral surface of gecko toe pads form arrays of millions of ~5 micron diameter setae, each branched into hundreds of 200 nm spatular […]

LAPPIN, A.K.*; NISHIKAWA, K.C.; PIEROTTI, D.J.: A proposed mechanism for high power output during feeding in toads Among anurans, toads exhibit the greatest tongue protraction velocities (>270 cm/s) and accelerations (>310 m/s) during feeding. This is accomplished via transmission of inertial forces from the rapidly opening mouth to the tongue. The mouth is opened by […]

MCGOWAN, C.P.; CARD, G.; BIEWENER, A.A.: Muscle Work in Hopping Wallabies Unlike other bipeds and quadrupeds, wallabies do not increase O2 consumption with increased hopping speed. This unique terrestrial locomotor economy has led to several studies on the mechanics of hopping and elastic energy recovery. To date, studies have focused primarily on the large Achilles […]

CHI, K.-J.*; SCHMITT, D.: How can a heel pad perform multiple mechanical roles? During each step the human foot decelerates and reaccelerates. As a result, the heel pad must cushion impact, stabilize the foot, and return elastic energy. To perform each function, pads must have specific mechanical properties. To cushion impact, the pad has to […]

FISH, F.E.*; SMELSTOYS, J.; BAUDINETTE, R.V.; REYNOLDS, P.S.: Fur doesn’t fly, it floats: buoyancy of hair in semi-aquatic mammals The evolution from a terrestrial existence to an aquatic lifestyle in mammals required the development of adaptations for locomotion and stability in water. We postulated that the non-wettable fur of semi-aquatic mammals, in addition to providing […]

SHEFELBINE, SJ; CARTER, DR: Effects of mechanical loads on morphological changes in the femur during development Many morphologic changes occur during growth and development of the femur. In particular, the bicondylar angle (angle between the diaphysis and the intracondylar plane) increases about 8 degrees. The neck-shaft angle and anteversion angle of the proximal femur both […]

MAIN, R.P.*; DONOVAN, C.M.; BIEWENER, A.A.: Bone strain, bone geometry, and histology in the radii of goats through ontogeny The measurement of patterns of in vivo bone strain in relation to ontogenetic growth is an area of vertebrate biomechanics that has received little attention. Furthermore, the examination of ontogenetic strain data in light of complementary […]

LANDRY, S.O.: Bipedal Upright Stance in Ground Sloths. Measurements in dinosaurs of the estimated height of the heart from the ground suggest that this distance never exceeds about two meters, no matter what the size of the animal. This generalization appears to hold good for all terrrestrial animals. An apparent exception are the giant ground […]

SEAVER, Elaine C; PAULSON, Dave A; IRVINE, Steve Q; MARTINDALE, Mark Q: Variation in Segment Formation in Polychaetes and its Relationship to Life History Characteristics There is a great deal of spatial and temporal variation in the way polychaetes generate their adult segmented body plan, associated primarily with changes in life history. We are interested […]

SWALLA, BJ: Origin of the Vertebrates from…….. Worms? The origin of the vertebrates has been studied intensively for over a hundred years, but recent advances in understanding developmental gene expression have allowed new ways of testing hypotheses. Urochordate and hemichordate phylogenies have shown that the deuterostomes are divided into two great clades. The chordates, including […]