"Gliding" in Amphibians and Reptiles, with a Remark on an Arboreal Adaptation in the Lizard, Anolis carolinensis carolinensis Voigt

Oliver, James A.

doi:10.1086/281666

Cited by 42 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…As has been previously shown in other taxa [e.g. ants (Yanoviak et al, 2005); snakes (Socha, 2002)], our results corroborate the idea that arboreal animals do not necessarily need obvious morphological or aerodynamic modifications to be capable of (some form of) descending in a controlled fashion (Oliver, 1951;Dudley et al, 2007). Additionally, behavioral adjustments (e.g.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Instead, the most striking morphological modification of H. guentheri appears to be a small body mass. Similarly, Anolis carolinensis has been suggested to be slightly better at descending in a controlled fashion (measured as the deviation from the vertical line) compared with another arboreal lizard species, Sceloporus undulatus, because of its lower body mass (Oliver, 1951). Some skeletal and osteological characteristics typical of H. guentheri may explain how it achieves such a low body mass.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historically, a distinction has been made between gliding and parachuting based on the descent angle relative to the horizontal (Oliver, 1951). Because the distinction is quite arbitrary and aerodynamic mechanisms of control are similar in both cases (Dudley et al, 2007), we will not make such a distinction here.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the present study we compare aerial performance among three lizard species; Ptychozoon kuhli Stejneger 1902 (Gekkota), Holaspis guentheri Grey 1863 (Lacertidae) and Podarcis muralis Laurenti 1768 (Lacertidae). We specifically selected (Oliver, 1951;Russell, 1979;Russell et al, 2001;Young et al, 2002), anecdotal observations on H. guentheri suggest it is capable of moving from tree-to-tree using a controlled aerial descent (Schiøtz and Volsøe, 1959;Dunger, 1967;Arnold, 1989;Arnold, 2002). The third species, P. muralis, is a typical climbing but nonaerial lizard (Arnold et al, 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecomorphological analysis of aerial performance in a non-specialized lacertid lizard,Holaspis guentheri

Vanhooydonck

Meulepas

Herrel

et al. 2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYControlled aerial descent has evolved at least 30 times independently in different vertebrate and invertebrate lineages. A whole suite of morphological modifications, such as patagia, lateral skin folds and webbed feet, have been suggested to enhance descending ability. In this study, we compare aerial performance (i.e. vertical and horizontal velocity, horizontal distance covered, duration of descent) and morphology (body mass, body width, inter limb distance, surface area and wing loading) among three species of lizards, representing a range of aerial descenders present within the clade. Our performance measurements show that the lacertid Holaspis guentheri performs intermediately to the specialized gekkonid Ptychozoon kuhli and the rock-dwelling lizard Podarcis muralis. The small relative body mass of H. guentheri results in a low wing loading similar to that of P. kuhli thus enhancing its aerial performance. Whereas the latter generates great lift forces and is able to cover great horizontal distances, H. guentheri's low wing loading seems to be responsible for a slow descent and low impact forces upon landing. Our results show that very small morphological changes may result in noticeable and ecologically relevant changes in performance.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Ecomorphological analysis of aerial performance in a non-specialized lacertid lizard,Holaspis guentheri

Vanhooydonck

Meulepas

Herrel

et al. 2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…In marked contrast, the 'best' C. paradisi specimen in this study would travel an estimated 142·m if launched from the same height (assuming a linear scaling of performance with launch height). Given such differences, C. paradisi should be classified as 'gliders' and C. ornata as 'parachuters' (sensu Oliver, 1951) although the value of this terminology has been questioned (Moffett, 2000;Vogel, 2003). Furthermore, this study confirms the prediction of Mertens (1970), who suggested that such differences in flight ability would exist based on his observation that C. paradisi dorsoventrally flattened when sunning in captivity, whereas C. ornata did not.…”

Section: Interspecific Differences In Performancesupporting

confidence: 71%

Effects of size and behavior on aerial performance of two species of flying snakes (Chrysopelea)

Socha

LaBarbera

2005

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARY Aerial locomotion in snakes (genus Chrysopelea) is kinematically distinct from any other type of gliding or powered flight, with prominent,high amplitude body undulations visually dominating the behavior. Because it is not known how flying snakes produce aerodynamic forces in flight, the factors that determine snake flight performance are not clear. In this study,the effects of size and behavior on aerial performance were examined both within a species (C. paradisi) and between two species (C. paradisi and C. ornata), using stepwise multiple regressions to identify relevant variables. Smaller C. paradisi traveled farther than larger snakes at lower sinking speeds, with trajectories that shallowed more quickly and reached lower minimum glide angles. Although wing loading increased faster than expected for isometric size increase, wing loading per se was not responsible for performance differences between large and small snakes. Snakes with higher interactions between relative undulation amplitude and body size transitioned out of the initial acceleration phase at higher airspeeds and sinking speeds, and attained higher maximum airspeeds and horizontal speeds; snakes that used higher average relative amplitudes transitioned out of the initial acceleration phase at higher horizontal speeds. Undulation frequency was not significantly related to any performance variable within C. paradisi and was not significantly different between the two species, suggesting that this variable (in contrast to relative undulation amplitude) may have a minor influence on the aerodynamic mechanism of force production in snake flight. C. paradisi and C. ornata differed significantly in most performance comparisons. C. ornata were more massive than C. paradisi at any given body length and in general exhibited poorer gliding performance than C. paradisi. This study contributes towards understanding how an unconventional body form and kinematics can produce a novel mode of aerial locomotion in a vertebrate glider.

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Vertebrate Locomotion

Gans

Gaunt

Webb

1997

Comprehensive Physiology

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"Gliding" in Amphibians and Reptiles, with a Remark on an Arboreal Adaptation in the Lizard, Anolis carolinensis carolinensis Voigt

Cited by 42 publications

References 4 publications

Ecomorphological analysis of aerial performance in a non-specialized lacertid lizard,Holaspis guentheri

Ecomorphological analysis of aerial performance in a non-specialized lacertid lizard,Holaspis guentheri

Effects of size and behavior on aerial performance of two species of flying snakes (Chrysopelea)

Vertebrate Locomotion

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