Kinesiological Characteristics of Vertical Climbing in Ateles geoffroyi and Macaca fuscata

Hirasaki, Eishi; Kumakura, Hiroo; Matano, Shozo

doi:10.1159/000156742

Cited by 63 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This high angle of dorsiflexion during vertical climbing occurs in captive populations of gorilla, orangutan, and gibbon as well (23,24) and appears to be a strategy of climbing unique to the apes. Dorsiflexion is considerably less (Ϸ15-25°) during climbing bouts in cercopithecoid monkeys (24,25). Furthermore, maximum dorsiflexion during normal walking in modern humans is only 15-20°(26-28).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional morphology of the ankle and the likelihood of climbing in early hominins

DeSilva

2009

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

162

241

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Whether early hominins were adept tree climbers is unclear. Although some researchers have argued that bipedality maladapts the hominin skeleton for climbing, others have argued that early hominin fossils display an amalgamation of features consistent with both locomotor strategies. Although chimpanzees have featured prominently in these arguments, there are no published data on the kinematics of climbing in wild chimpanzees. Without these biomechanical data describing how chimpanzees actually climb trees, identifying correlates of climbing in modern ape skeletons is difficult, thereby limiting accurate interpretations of the hominin fossil record. Here, the first kinematic data on vertical climbing in wild chimpanzees are presented. These data are used to identify skeletal correlates of climbing in the ankle joint of the African apes to more accurately interpret hominin distal tibiae and tali. This study finds that chimpanzees engage in an extraordinary range of foot dorsiflexion and inversion during vertical climbing bouts. Two skeletal correlates of modern ape-like vertical climbing are identified in the ankle joint and related to positions of dorsiflexion and foot inversion. A study of the 14 distal tibiae and 15 tali identified and published as hominins from 4.12 to 1.53 million years ago finds that the ankles of early hominins were poorly adapted for modern ape-like vertical climbing bouts. This study concludes that if hominins included tree climbing as part of their locomotor repertoire, then they were performing this activity in a manner decidedly unlike modern chimpanzees.chimpanzee ͉ tibia ͉ talus

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional morphology of the ankle and the likelihood of climbing in early hominins

DeSilva

2009

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

162

241

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In previous studies, the hindlimbs of primates, rats and squirrels were placed on or near the top of steeply inclined branches, suggesting a relationship between hindlimb placement and propulsive function (Hirasaki et al, 1993;Nakano, 2002). The gray short-tailed opossum, however, placed its hindlimbs more laterally than the forelimbs as they moved on 30deg inclines (Lammers et al, 2004;Lammers, 2007).…”

Section: Kinematic Changes On Inclined Branchesmentioning

confidence: 95%

The kinematic consequences of locomotion on sloped arboreal substrates in a generalized (Rattus norvegicus) and a specialized (Sciurus vulgaris) rodent

Schmidt

Fischer

2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARY 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.

show abstract

“…Schmitt, 2010) and almost all studies focusing on climbing to date do not include kinetics (mammals: Nakano, 2002;Nyakatura et al, 2008;Schmidt and Fischer, 2010;Shapiro and Young, 2010;Stevens et al, 2011;lizards: Higham and Jayne, 2004a;Higham and Jayne, 2004b;Foster and Higham, 2012). Besides the studies of vertical climbing in Old and New World monkeys (Hirasaki et al, 1993;Hirasaki et al, 2000;Nakano, 2002;Hanna and Schmitt, 2011), only one study to date has investigated the kinetics of small-branch locomotion on shallow inclines and declines [in Monodelphis domestica (Lammers, 2007)]. In lizards, there exists a fair number of studies investigating the effect of sloped surfaces on running performance as well as one kinetic analysis of geckos running vertically (Huey and Hertz, 1982;Irschick and Jayne, 1998;Jayne and Irschick, 1999;Autumn et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite theoretical assumptions, such as differences in force distribution between the forelimbs and hindlimbs (for details, see Lammers, 2007), deviations from these assumptions are likely to occur due to behavioral as well as morphological adaptations that differ between species (Nakano, 2002;Preuschoft, 2002). For example, peak vertical forces of the forelimbs and hindlimbs differ depending on the degree of climbing specialization in primate species moving on vertical inclines [Ateles geoffroy, Macaca fuscata (Hirasaki et al, 1993); Macaca fascicularis (Hanna and Schmitt, 2011)]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodynamics of climbing: effects of substrate orientation on the locomotion of a highly arboreal lizard (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Krause

Fischer

2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYArboreal substrates differ not only in diameter, but also in continuity and orientation. To gain more insight into the dynamics of small-branch locomotion in tetrapods we studied the veiled chameleon walking on inclined and declined perches of up to 60deg slope. We found that forelimbs and hindlimbs contribute equally to the bodyʼs progression along inclines and declines. The higher-positioned limbʼs vertical impulses decreased with slope. And although vertical impulses in the lower-positioned limb increased with substrate slope, peak vertical forces decreased. The decrease in peak vertical forces in the lower-positioned limb can be explained by a considerable increase of tensile forces in the higher-positioned limb as the slope increases. In addition, limbs were more crouched on slopes whereas no changes in forward and backward reach were observed. Mediolateral impulses were the smallest amongst the force components, and lateral impulses (medially directed limb forces) exceeded medial impulses (laterally directed limb forces). On inclines and declines, limb placement was more variable than on level substrates. The tail never contacted the substrate during level locomotion; however, on inclines and declines, the tail was held closer to the substrate, with short substrate contacts in one-third of the analyzed trials. Regardless of substrate orientation the tail was always held straight above the branch; therefore, rotational moments induced by the tail were minimized. Supplementary material available online at

show abstract

Kinesiological Characteristics of Vertical Climbing in Ateles geoffroyi and Macaca fuscata

Cited by 63 publications

References 7 publications

Functional morphology of the ankle and the likelihood of climbing in early hominins

Functional morphology of the ankle and the likelihood of climbing in early hominins

The kinematic consequences of locomotion on sloped arboreal substrates in a generalized (Rattus norvegicus) and a specialized (Sciurus vulgaris) rodent

Biodynamics of climbing: effects of substrate orientation on the locomotion of a highly arboreal lizard (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About