Locomotor versatility in the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar): A spatiotemporal analysis of the bipedal, tripedal, and quadrupedal gaits

Vereecke, Evie; D’Août, Kristiaan; Aerts, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.12.011

Cited by 53 publications

(61 citation statements)

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“…In addition, the fact that all bipedal bouts investigated so far have a similar vertical force pattern (Vereecke et al, 2005a) suggests that all bipedal bouts belong to the same locomotor mechanism and that a gait transition is absent. This prediction is also supported by an associated kinematic study, which found no abrupt speed-related change in spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters over the entire speed range tested (Vereecke et al, 2006a;Vereecke et al, 2006b). These predictions are evaluated by calculating the centre of mass (COM) and associated energy fluctuations from the ground reaction forces during spontaneous hylobatid bipedalism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

The dynamics of hylobatid bipedalism: evidence for an energy-saving mechanism?

Vereecke

D’Août

Aerts

2006

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARY When gibbons travel through the forest canopy, brachiation is alternated with short bipedal bouts over horizontal boughs. We know, from previous research, that brachiation is a very efficient locomotor mode that makes use of a pendulum-like exchange of energy, but to date, nothing is known about the dynamics of hylobatid bipedalism. We wondered if gibbons also make use of an efficient gait mechanism during bipedal locomotion. To investigate this, we calculated oscillations of the centre of mass (COM), energy fluctuations,recovery rates and power outputs from the 3D ground reaction forces. These ground reaction forces were collected during spontaneous bipedal locomotion of four untrained white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) over an instrumented walkway (with an AMTI force plate). Excursions of the COM are relatively large during hylobatid bipedalism and the fluctuations of potential and kinetic energy are largely in-phase. Together with the low inverted pendulum recovery rates, this points to a spring-mass mechanism during bipedal locomotion. Although the well-developed Achilles tendon of gibbons seems to be a good candidate for the storage and recoil of elastic energy, this is not supported by kinematical data of the ankle joint. Instead, we suggest that the knee extensor muscle tendon unit functions as an energy-saving mechanism during hylobatid bipedalism, but detailed anatomical data is needed to confirm this suggestion. At low speeds gibbons use either pendular or spring mechanics, but a clear gait transition as seen in most quadrupedal mammals is absent. At moderate to high velocities, gibbons use a bouncing gait, generally without aerial phases. This supports the view that aerial phases are not a prerequisite for spring-mass mechanics and reinforces the claim that duty factor alone should not be used to distinguish between a walk and run.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

The dynamics of hylobatid bipedalism: evidence for an energy-saving mechanism?

Vereecke

D’Août

Aerts

2006

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…For an efficient brachiation with low energy cost, some constraints are necessary. In particular, during a complete swing, the center of gravity of the individual must remain in the vertical plane, which includes the pendulum center of rotation (Fleagle, 1974;Usherwood and Bertram, 2003;Bertram, 2004;Vereecke et al, 2006). To answer this important constraint, animals can only act on shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints.…”

Section: Curvatures In Dorsal Viewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clavicle, a neglected bone: Morphology and relation to arm movements and shoulder architecture in primates

Voisin

2006

Anat. Rec.

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In spite of its importance for movements of the upper limbs, the clavicle is an infrequently studied shoulder bone. The present study compares clavicular morphology among different extant primates. Methods have included the assessment of clavicular curvatures projected on two perpendicular planes that can be assessed overall as cranial and dorsal primary curvatures. Results showed that in cranial view, three morphologies can be defined. One group exhibited an external curvature considerably more pronounced than the internal one (Gorilla, Papio); a second group was characterized by an internal curvature much more pronounced than the external one (Hylobates, Ateles); and a third group contained those with the two curvatures equally pronounced (Pan, Homo, Pongo, Procolobus, Colobus). Clavicle curvatures projected on the dorsal plane could be placed into four groups. The first group is characterized by two curvatures, an inferior and a superior (Apes, Spider monkeys). The second included monkeys, whose clavicles have an inferior curvature much more pronounced than the superior one. The third group includes only Hylobates, whose clavicles possess only the superior curvature. The last group includes only modern humans, whose clavicles show only the inferior curvature, which is less pronounced than that which exists in monkeys. Curvatures in cranial view relate information regarding the parameters of arm elevation while those in dorsal view offer insights into the position of the scapula related to the thorax. The use of clavicular curvature analysis offers a new dimension in assessment of the functional morphology of the clavicle and its relationship to the shoulder complex. Anat Rec Part A, 288A: 944-953, 2006. 2006

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“…The gibbon's large body mass, coupled with the compliance of the canopy substrates, precludes a saltatorial lifestyle. Instead, the gibbons maintain a morphology that allows them to employ a diverse locomotor repertoire to travel through the complex forest canopy [21]. Further, performing work while minimizing power probably avoids large branch deflections and hence energy losses when leaping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mean mass-specific power (P M , in W kg 21 ) and estimated force (F M , in body weights, BW) were calculated as:…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The extraordinary athletic performance of leaping gibbons

et al. 2011

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The distance that animals leap depends on their take-off angle and velocity. The velocity is generated solely by mechanical work during the pushoff phase of standing-start leaps. Gibbons are capable of exceptional leaping performance, crossing gaps in the forest canopy exceeding 10 m, yet possess none of the adaptations possessed by specialist leapers synonymous with maximizing mechanical work. To understand this impressive performance, we recorded leaps of the gibbons exceeding 3.7 m. Gibbons perform more mass-specific work (35.4 J kg 21 ) than reported for any other species to date, accelerating to 8.3 ms 21 in a single movement and redefining our estimates of work performance by animals. This energy (enough for a 3.5 m vertical leap) is 60 per cent higher than that achieved by galagos, which are renowned for their remarkable leaping performance. The gibbons' unusual morphology facilitates a division of labour among the hind limbs, forelimbs and trunk, resulting in modest power requirements compared with more specialized leapers.

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Locomotor versatility in the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar): A spatiotemporal analysis of the bipedal, tripedal, and quadrupedal gaits

Cited by 53 publications

References 61 publications

The dynamics of hylobatid bipedalism: evidence for an energy-saving mechanism?

The dynamics of hylobatid bipedalism: evidence for an energy-saving mechanism?

Clavicle, a neglected bone: Morphology and relation to arm movements and shoulder architecture in primates

The extraordinary athletic performance of leaping gibbons

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