Patterns of quadrupedal locomotion in a vertical clinging and leaping primate (Propithecus coquereli) with implications for understanding the functional demands of primate quadrupedal locomotion

Abstract

From the data in this study, it is possible to reject the idea that P. coquereli uses a non-primate pattern of quadrupedal walking mechanics. Nor do they use an entirely different mechanical pattern from either most primates or most non-primates during quadrupedal locomotion. These findings provide support for the idea that this suite of characteristics is adaptive for the challenges of arboreal locomotion in primates and that these features of primate locomotion may be basal to the order or evolved independently in multiple lineages including indriids. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:644-652, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Forelimb and hind limb loading patterns during below branch quadrupedal locomotion in the two‐toed sloth

“…Forelimb and hind limb forces were collected while animals walked below an instrumented runway measuring 3.66 m in length and 3.10 cm in diameter. The instrumented portion of the runway consisted of two Kistler force plates (model 9317B; Kistler, Amherst, NY, USA) that have been used in previous studies (Bishop, Pai & Schmitt, ; Granatosky, , ; Granatosky et al ., ,b). A small section of dowel was secured on one end of each force plate measuring the same diameter as the rest of the runway and large enough to accommodate the fore‐aft length of the entire hand or foot (~10 cm).…”

“…All animals were adults and were clear of any pathologies or gait abnormalities (Table ). The methods used here have been described extensively elsewhere (Schmitt & Lemelin, ; Granatosky, , ; Granatosky et al ., ,b), and will only be summarized below.…”

“…The total sampling period was conducted over 4 days (7–11 July 2014), so fluctuations in body weight between the first and last day of sampling were likely very low. The animals were video‐recorded during trials within a clear enclosure from a lateral view using a GoPro camera (Hero 3+ Black Edition; GoPro, San Mateo, CA, USA) modified with a Back‐Bone Ribcage (Ribcage v. 1.0; Back‐Bone, Ottawa, ON, Canada), which allows the GoPro cameras to be outfitted with interchangeable lenses and eliminates image distortion inherent to the camera (Granatosky, ; Granatosky et al ., ,b). All videos were recorded at 120 fields s −1 .…”

“…Based on previous studies (Ishida et al ., ; Granatosky et al ., ) on the kinetics of below branch quadrupedal locomotion in primates, and on studies that inferred limb loading in sloths based on bony morphology, or other indirect methods (Patel & Carlson, ; Nyakatura & Andrada, ; Patel et al ., ), the following predictions about limb loading patterns in the two‐toed sloth have been developed to focus investigation.…”

Forelimb and hindlimb loading patterns during quadrupedal locomotion in the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)

“…Common vampire bats were weighted each day of trials. The animals were video‐recorded during trials from a lateral view using a modified GoPro camera (Hero 3+ Black Edition; GoPro, San Mateo, CA, USA; see Granatosky, ; Granatosky et al ., ,). All videos were recorded at 120 fields/second.…”