| The kinematic consequences of locomotion on sloped arboreal substrates in a generalized (Rattus norvegicus) and a specialized (Sciurus vulgaris) rodent. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 21753049 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
Small mammals must negotiate terrains that consist of numerous substrates that vary in diameter, surface structure, rigidity and orientation. Most studies on mammals have focused on the effects of substrate diameter during horizontal locomotion, especially in small- to medium-sized primates and marsupials. Locomotion across sloped arboreal substrates, however, is poorly understood. Here, in order to determine which locomotor parameters a terrestrial mammal, the rat, and a tree-dwelling mammal, the European red squirrel, modify in response to differences in substrate orientation, three-dimensional kinematics were examined using biplanar videoradiography as the animals moved on 30 and 60 deg inclined branches. Our results revealed that to maintain stability and friction as well as balance during inclined branch locomotion, these species utilize comparable locomotor adjustments despite significant differences in travel speed and gait. Rats and European red squirrels increased limb flexion and retraction in order to bring the center of mass as close as possible to the substrate surface and to achieve maximum propulsion. Additionally, forelimbs were placed more laterally and underneath the branch whereas the hindlimbs were placed approximately on the top of the branch. These locomotor adjustments, which have also been observed in primates and marsupials, are independent of speed, morphological adaptations and limb proportions and thus might be strategies used by early mammals. Our results also suggest that mammals that lack, or have reduced, grasping abilities try to maintain the locomotor mode used during horizontal branch locomotion on inclined branches for as long as possible. |
| | |
Authors:
|
André Schmidtg; Martin S Fischer |
Related Documents
:
|
9354619 - Efficient characterization of collective motions and interresidue correlations in prote... 8817379 - A method of signal processing in motion analysis of the trotting horse. 2729629 - Position and motion of the human diaphragm during anesthesia-paralysis. 14759169 - Evidence for slow motion in proteins by multiple refocusing of heteronuclear nitrogen/p... 22039809 - Effect of isoproterenol on local contractile behaviors of rat cardiomyocytes measured b... 12609889 - Selective excitation of native fluctuations during thermal unfolding simulations: horse... 15071109 - Perirhinal cortex supports delay fear conditioning to rat ultrasonic social signals. 16090019 - Light-noise-induced suprathreshold circadian oscillations and coherent resonance in dro... 7801789 - Pineal photosensitivity. a comparison with retinal photoreception. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: The Journal of experimental biology Volume: 214 ISSN: 1477-9145 ISO Abbreviation: J. Exp. Biol. Publication Date: 2011 Aug |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2011-07-14 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 0243705 Medline TA: J Exp Biol Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 2544-59 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 120 Life Sciences Building, Athens, OH 45701, USA. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
|
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Not all songbirds calibrate their magnetic compass from twilight cues: a telemetry study.
Next Document: Neuroepithelial cells and the hypoxia emersion response in the amphibious fish Kryptolebias marmorat...