BECHTEL, B.F.; ASHLEY-ROSS, M.A.*; Wake Forest University: Kinematics of the transition between aquatic and terrestrial locomotion in the newt Taricha torosa Newts are capable of locomotion in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The movements of swimming involve primarily the axial musculature, which generates traveling waves of lateral undulation. In contrast, walking uses the paired limbs […]

WARD, A.B.; University of Massachusetts Amherst: Kinematics of the pectoral fins in batfishes (Ogcocephalidae) during aquatic walking Several independent radiations of benthic fishes have modified pectoral and/or pelvic fins that allow them to walk along the bottom. Members of Lophiiformes, in particular, have highly modified pectoral (and, to a lesser extent, pelvic) musculoskeletal systems. Previous […]

REILLY, Stephen M.; BIKNEVICIUS, Audrone R.; Ohio University; Ohio University: Integrating mechanics and kinematic gaits in tetrapod locomotion: congruence and variation in “walking” and “running” Two descriptive paradigms have emerged from studies of terrestrial vertebrate locomotion: kinematic patterns of footfalls are used to describe the gaits used by animals and kinetic patterns are used to […]

HSIEH, S.T.; Harvard University: Fish out of water: the amphibious locomotor repertoire of the Pacific leaping blenny, Alticus arnoldorum The evolutionary transition from water to land required dramatic alterations to organismal morphology, physiology, and ecology. Among extant fishes, the ability to come out of water has evolved multiple times. One of the most spectacular examples […]

SPEZZANO JR., L.C.*; JAYNE, B.C.; Univ. of Cincinnati; Univ. of Cincinnati: The effects of incline and perch diameter on the hind limb movements of the arboreal lizard Anolis sagrei Arboreal species of animals often move on narrow perches with variable inclines, and many species of lizards occupy arboreal habitats. The maximal speeds of locomotion of […]

IRSCHICK, D. J.*; FULL, R. J.; Tulane University; University of California at Berkeley: Running without a back: Experimental manipulations of axial bending in geckos and effects on kinematics and force dynamics We investigated the role of axial bending on force dynamics and kinematics during steady-speed horizontal locomotion in the gecko Hemidactylus garnoti. Axial bending has […]

PILARSKI, J.Q.; NISHIKAWA, K.C.; PIEROTTI, D.J.; Nothern Arizona Univ.; Northern Arizona Univ.; Northern Arizona Univ.: Power amplification by pre-activation of semimembranosus in Rana pipiens In frogs capable of jumping long distances, power output during takeoff has been shown to be much greater than the hind limb musculature is capable of producing based on after-loaded isotonic […]

FURROW, E.*; AHN, A.N.; BIEWENER, A.A.; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA: Mechanics of a Running Frog (Kassina maculata) Although most frog species are specialized for jumping, hopping or swimming, Kassina maculata, the Red-Legged Running frog, primarily uses locomotion during which the hind limbs alternate. In this study, the mechanics of the center of mass during locomotion […]

KIRKTON, S.D.*; HARRISON, J.F.; Arizona St. University; Arizona St. University: Developmental and Interspecific Body Size Effects on Grasshopper Jumping Performance Due to the increased length of their tracheal system, larger insects are believed to have reduced safety margins for oxygen delivery. The gigantic insects of the late Paleozoic may have overcome oxygen delivery problems due […]

MATTINGLY, W.B.*; JAYNE, B.C.; University of Cincinnati; University of Cincinnati: A field and laboratory study of the effects of perch attributes on path choice during the arboreal escape locomotion of four ecomorphs of Anolis lizards Arboreal locomotion is constrained by the networks of perches that comprise discrete paths. Thus, we examined how the structure of […]