Scaling Stride Frequency and Gait to Animal Size: Mice to Horses

Heglund, Norman; Taylor, Curtis R.; McMahon, Thomas A.

doi:10.1126/science.186.4169.1112

Cited by 388 publications

(286 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

256

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The mechanical cost of transport [work/(M b ϫ distance)] is about the same for runners of all sizes , and stride lengths in similar gaits are proportional to M b 0.38 (Heglund et al, 1974). Hence the work required for a stride is proportional to M b 1.38 .…”

Section: Yates (1983) Defined a Coefficient Of Thrustmentioning

confidence: 87%

Models and the scaling of energy costs for locomotion

Alexander

2005

Journal of Experimental Biology

193

168

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this paper I look at the scaling of the energy costs of locomotion, and ask whether we can explain what we observe. The explanations must depend on mathematical models. If we cannot formulate a convincing model that predicts a scaling rule reasonably accurately, we have failed to explain the rule. The reverse is unfortunately not true; a model that predicts a scaling rule correctly does not guarantee that our explanation is correct, because several models may predict the same rule.My interest here is in widely applicable scaling rules; for example in rules that will predict the scaling of running over the range from small rodents to elephants, or of flight from sparrows to swans. Mice are not scale models of elephants, and do not move like tiny elephants, and sparrows are not miniature swans. The models will have to be very general, incorporating little specific anatomical or kinematic detail. Conveniently, this implies that they will be simple. Many simple models of running, swimming and flight were presented at the first Scaling Conference (Pedley, 1977), on which this paper builds.In the decades preceding the first Scaling Conference, measurements of metabolic rate during locomotion had been greatly facilitated by the introduction of methods using treadmills (Taylor et al., 1970), wind tunnels (Tucker, 1968) and water tunnels (Brett, 1964). Allometric exponents relating the measured energy cost of locomotion to body mass had been calculated by Taylor et al. (1970) for running; by Tucker (1970) for running and flight; and for swimming by SchmidtNielsen (1972). Allometric equations in more recent papers are referred to in later sections of this one.Because muscles do not work with uniform efficiency, it is much more difficult to devise a model that predicts the metabolic energy cost of locomotion than one that predicts mechanical work. In contrast, oxygen consumption (and hence metabolic power) can be measured directly, whereas determination of mechanical work in locomotion generally involves calculations subject to a good deal of uncertainty. Thus comparisons between theoretical and observed energy costs are not easy. It is the metabolic cost of locomotion, rather than the mechanical work, which is important for the animal's energy budget.Dynamic similarity I will refer frequently to the concept of dynamic similarity To achieve the required generality, models designed to predict scaling relationships for diverse groups of animals generally need to be simple. An argument based on considerations of dynamic similarity predicts correctly that the mechanical cost of transport for running [power/(body mass ϫ speed)] will be independent of body mass; but measurements of oxygen consumption for running birds and mammals show that the metabolic cost of transport is proportional to (body mass) −0.32 . Thus the leg muscles seem to work more efficiently in larger animals. A model that treats birds as fixed wing aircraft predicts that the mechanical power required for flight at the maximum range speed will be proportiona...

show abstract

Section: Yates (1983) Defined a Coefficient Of Thrustmentioning

confidence: 87%

Models and the scaling of energy costs for locomotion

Alexander

2005

Journal of Experimental Biology

193

168

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Predictions of parameter behavior for quadrupedal locomotion, based on Hill's morphological isometry model, have been tested experimentally (Heglund, McMahon, and Taylor, 1974). The predictions have not held up for quadrupedal animals over a large size range.…”

Section: Model and Predictions And Parameter Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Allometry and Jumping in Frogs: Helping the Twain to Meet

Emerson

1978

Evolution

173

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Accuracy in estimating of the age of Polar Bears from tracks relies on genetically identifying animals caught in a previous aerial capture-mark-recapture study and determining their ages from tooth wear patterns (Calvert and Ramsay 1998). Inferences concerning accuracy in estimating the size of Polar Bears may be drawn by comparing the size estimate with measurements of the length of the stride from the same tracks (Heglund 1974). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpretations of Polar Bear (<em>Ursus maritimus</em>) Tracks by Inuit Hunters: Inter-rater Reliability and Inferences Concerning Accuracy

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

due to their tracking experience in pursuing Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Inuit hunters could provide non-invasive estimates of Polar Bear characteristics from tracks, and Polar Bear monitoring programs could benefit from Inuit input. We determined i) inter-rater reliability of estimates of the sex, age, and size of Polar Bears, and estimates of the age of tracks made by a group of nine Inuit hunters who interpreted 78 tracks; ii) we made preliminary comparisons of sex and size estimates with conventional (scientific) estimates; iii) we catalogued the Polar Bear hunting experience and track interpretation techniques of nine Inuit hunters; and iv) we explored relationships between hunting experience and the ability to interpret tracks. The group of Inuit hunters made reliable and consistent estimates of Polar Bear sex, age, and size, as well as estimates of age of track (after data from one participant was excluded). Although our comparisons are based on small samples, our findings suggest that Inuit hunters may be accurate in estimating the sex of Polar Bears (74.42% agreement with genetic determinations) and the size of Polar Bears from their tracks. our data indicate shared tracking techniques used by hunters may explain high agreement in making specific estimates, while individual hunting experience and particular methods used to interpret tracks may lead to inter-rater reliability and accuracy in interpreting tracks.

show abstract

Scaling Stride Frequency and Gait to Animal Size: Mice to Horses

Cited by 388 publications

References 4 publications

Models and the scaling of energy costs for locomotion

Models and the scaling of energy costs for locomotion

Allometry and Jumping in Frogs: Helping the Twain to Meet

Interpretations of Polar Bear (<em>Ursus maritimus</em>) Tracks by Inuit Hunters: Inter-rater Reliability and Inferences Concerning Accuracy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About