Running of the feathertail glider (<i>Acrobates pygmaeus</i>) on level ground: Kinematics

Panyutina, Aleksandra A.; Makarov, Viktor A

doi:10.1002/jez.2579

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Three adult specimens from the IPEE RAS collection preserved in ethanol were used to measure the distance from the hip joint to the tail base (for more details on the measurement technique, see Panyutina & Makarov, 2022). Based on this, the coordinates of the hip joint were calculated.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Running of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) on level ground: Gaits

Makarov

Panyutina

2021

J Exp Zool Pt A

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Gliding is a crucial adaptation to arboreal habitats in several groups of mammals.Along with certain advantages it imposes limitations on the quadrupedal running since it affects the locomotor apparatus. To estimate the impact on quadrupedal running in gliders, the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) was chosen considering that the small size allows minor morphological modifications for aerial locomotion.The gaits were studied on horizontal flat substrate which made it possible to compare running technique of the glider with that of terrestrial mammals. In all analyzed plots the footfall sequence was found to be asymmetrical; in most cases the bound was used, in contrast, the gallop occurred only occasionally. The half-bound with the fore lead, the most usual asymmetrical gait in quadrupedal marsupials, was much less common in A. pygmaeus than the bound; the rare among mammals half-bound with the hind lead was also found. The bound was not only the most common gait but also the steadiest one; therefore we can conclude that A. pygmaeus uses all other asymmetrical gaits as transitional forms associated with changes in speed, direction, etc. The bound with extended suspension is probably preferred by A. pygmaeus because it most closely resembles gliding by posture. | INTRODUCTIONGliding is an efficient way of locomotion for inhabitants of the complex three-dimensional arboreal environment. It allows the cost of transport to be reduced compared to terrestrial locomotion (Alexander, 1982;Scholey, 1986) and besides, increases the chance to avoid predators (Byrnes & Spence, 2011;Emmons & Gentry, 1983). However, gliding entails a loss of altitude and the need to compensate for this by climbing tree trunks (Panyutina, 2020;Scholey, 1986). Thus, the quadrupedal performance (at least climbing) has a crucial influence on total energy expenditures for locomotion (Dial, 2003) and either promotes the survival and positive selection of relevant forms, or, conversely, leaves no chance to win in the evolutionary race.The proportions of the locomotor apparatus of gliding mammals differ from those of their nonaerial relatives (Essner, 2007;Peterka, 1936;Thorington & Heaney, 1981). There are no clear biomechanical explanations as to the negative impact of changes in the skeletal proportions and the locomotor muscles design in gliders on the efficiency of their quadrupedal running, whereas, direct energy measurements show the existence of such an impact.Gliders spend more energy on quadrupedal running than nongliders (Flaherty et al., 2010;Shaw, 2004). However, studies on this subject are still fragmentary, and little is known about how the acquisition of gliding affects running technique. Of interest is not only the structural modification of the locomotor apparatus in gliders, but also a degree of modification of their type of quadrupedal locomotion, in case it in fact differs.In this context, it is especially intriguing to study such alterations in the smallest gliders, in which the development of aerial locomotion can be achie...

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first (this) article is devoted to the gait analysis. The second one deals with the trunk and limb kinematics (Panyutina & Makarov, 2022). Together they provide the most complete description of locomotion that can be made using the video recording alone without additional instruments, such as force plates, electromyograph, and so on.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Running of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) on level ground: Gaits

Makarov

Panyutina

2021

J Exp Zool Pt A

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Kinetics of Symmetrical Versus Asymmetrical In‐Phase Gaits During Arboreal Locomotion

Lammers,

Stakes

2024

J Exp Zool Pt A

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Quadrupedal animals traveling on arboreal supports change aspects of locomotion to avoid slipping and falls. This study compares locomotor biomechanics in two small mammals: first, the gray short‐tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) predominantly trots, which is a symmetrical gait. The second species, the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), primarily bounds or half‐bounds. Trotting and bounding differ fundamentally in three aspects: location and timing of hand and foot placement; in the way that the trunk bends (trotting, mediolateral bending; bounding, flexion, and extension); and in the dynamics of the center of mass. Both species ran on a flat track and a 2 cm diameter cylindrical track, instrumented with a force plate or pole. For bounding chipmunks, the force pole was modified to measure force only on the right side. We measured speed, duty factor, and force, and calculated vertical, braking, propulsive, and net mediolateral impulses. Vertical and fore‐aft impulses were different between trotting opossums and bounding chipmunks, but between trackway types, these impulses were similar within each species. The modifications used by each species to travel on arboreal supports were similar, except in one important respect. Net mediolateral impulse in opossums changed from laterally directed on the flat trackway to medial on the arboreal. But in chipmunks, these impulses on the flat track were medially‐directed, and on the arboreal track, the amount of variability was substantially greater. We conclude that chipmunks—and perhaps any bounding animal—are less consistent from stride to stride in their locomotion. This inconsistency requires constant medial and lateral impulses to correct their trajectory when traveling on arboreal surfaces.

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A therian mammal with sprawling kinematics? Gait and 3D forelimb X-ray motion analysis in tamanduas

Scheidt

Ditzel

Geiger

et al. 2022

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Therian mammals are known to move their forelimbs in a parasagittal plane, retracting the mobilised scapula during stance phase. Non-cursorial therian mammals often abduct the elbow out of the shoulder-hip parasagittal plane. This is especially prominent in Tamandua (Xenarthra), which suggests they employ aspects of sprawling (e.g., lizard-like-) locomotion. Here, we test if tamanduas use sprawling forelimb kinematics, i.e., a largely immobile scapula with pronounced lateral spine bending and long-axis rotation of the humerus. We analyse high speed videos and use X-ray motion analysis of tamanduas walking and balancing on branches of varying inclinations and provide a quantitative characterization of gaits and forelimb kinematics. Tamanduas displayed lateral sequence lateral-couplets gaits on flat ground and horizontal branches, but increased diagonality on steeper in- and declines, resulting in lateral sequence diagonal-couplets gaits. This result provides further evidence for high diagonality in arboreal species, likely maximising stability in arboreal environments. Further, the results reveal a mosaic of sprawling and parasagittal kinematic characteristics. The abducted elbow results from a constantly internally rotated scapula about its long axis and a retracted humerus. Scapula retraction contributes considerably to stride length. However, lateral rotation in the pectoral region of the spine (range: 21°) is higher than reported for other therian mammals. Instead, it is similar to skinks and alligators, indicating an aspect generally associated with sprawling locomotion is characteristic for forelimb kinematics of tamanduas. Our study contributes to a growing body of evidence of highly variable non-cursorial therian mammal locomotor kinematics.

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Running of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) on level ground: Kinematics

Cited by 3 publications

References 18 publications

Running of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) on level ground: Gaits

Running of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) on level ground: Gaits

Kinetics of Symmetrical Versus Asymmetrical In‐Phase Gaits During Arboreal Locomotion

A therian mammal with sprawling kinematics? Gait and 3D forelimb X-ray motion analysis in tamanduas

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