Meeting Abstract S5.2-1  Sunday, Jan. 5 10:00  Is the spring in our step the spring in our leg? LEE, David V*; MCGOWAN, Craig P; ISAACS, Michael R; University of Nevada Las Vegas; University of Idaho Moscow; University of Nevada Las Vegas david.lee@unlv.edu Virtual leg spring stiffness k leg has long been used to characterize bouncing gaits such […]

Meeting Abstract S5.3-1  Sunday, Jan. 5 13:30  Integrating experimental and computer simulation methods to reconstruct the evolution of avian bipedalism RANKIN, J.W.*; PAXTON, H; HUTCHINSON, J.R.; The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom; The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom; The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom jrankin@rvc.ac.uk Advances in computer technology have enabled biomechanists to use […]

Meeting Abstract S5.2-3  Sunday, Jan. 5 11:00  How to build robots from the lessons from animals: design challenges of the MIT Cheetah KIM, Sangbae; Massachusetts Institute of Technology sangbae@mit.edu In designing a new generation of legged robots, it is critical to understand the design principles employed by animals. One of the key steps to successful development of […]

Meeting Abstract S5.3-3  Sunday, Jan. 5 14:30  Dynamics of locomotor transitions from arboreal to terrestrial substrates in Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) WUNDERLICH, R.E.*; MILLER, C.E.; TONGEN, A.L.; SCHMITT, D.; James Madison University; Duke University; James Madison University; Duke University wunderre@jmu.edu Sifakas are indrid primates whose primary mode of locomotion is arboreal vertical clinging and leaping. On the […]

Meeting Abstract S5.1-1  Sunday, Jan. 5 08:00  Diversity of Limb Bone Safety Factors for Locomotion in Terrestrial Vertebrates: Evolution and Mixed Chains BLOB, R.W.*; ESPINOZA, N.R.; BUTCHER, M.T.; LEE, A.H.; D’AMICO, A.R.; BAIG, F.M.; SHEFFIELD, K.M.; Clemson Univ.; Clemson Univ.; Youngstown St. Univ.; Midwestern Univ.; Clemson Univ.; Clemson Univ. rblob@clemson.edu During locomotion over land, vertebrate limb bones […]

Meeting Abstract S5.2-2  Sunday, Jan. 5 10:30  Compensations During Unsteady Locomotion. QIAO, M; JINDRICH, D. L.*; University of Omaha; California State University, San Marcos djindrich@csusm.edu Locomotion in a complex environment is seldom steady-state, but the mechanisms used by animals to power and control unsteady locomotion (stability and maneuverability) are not well understood. We use behavioral, morphological, and […]

Meeting Abstract S5.2-4  Sunday, Jan. 5 11:30  Bone-free: Soft Mechanics for Adaptive Locomotion TRIMMER, B.A.; Tufts University barry.trimmer@tufts.edu Both muscular hydrostats (such as mollusks) and fluid-filled animals (such as annelids) exploit their constant volume tissues to transfer forces and displacements as articulated animals use hinges and levers. However, body control is more complicated for soft animals with […]

Meeting Abstract S4.2-1  Sunday, Jan. 5 10:30  Using molecular techniques to measure immune responses and infectious disease dynamics in non-model species FASSBINDER-ORTH, C; Creighton University carolfassbinder-orth@creighton.edu Historically, the use of cutting-edge molecular techniques to study immunological gene expression and related cellular pathways has been largely limited to model organisms. Few studies have been performed that quantify the […]

Meeting Abstract S4.2-2  Sunday, Jan. 5 11:00  Stress/immune interactions: A pathological relationship or an adaptive response to adverse conditions? ADAMO, Shelley A; Dalhousie Univ., Halifax sadamo@dal.ca Both the stress response and immune response defend animals against organisms that can cause catastrophic declines in fitness. When resources are abundant, having these two systems work synergistically with each other […]

Meeting Abstract S4.3-2  Sunday, Jan. 5 14:00  Statistical approaches to uncovering ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of behavioral and physiological differences among individuals. DOWNS, C.J.*; DOCHTERMANN, N.A.; University of Nevada Reno; North Dakota State University cdowns@unr.edu Considerable work in ecoimmunology focuses on investigating individual variation in immune responses and linking this variation to physiological trade-offs, ecological […]