... appendages in tetrapod vertebrates. These tools span a spectrum from more empirical approaches such as XROMM, to potentially more intermediate approaches such as finite element analysis, to more theoretical approaches such as dynamic musculoskeletal simulations or conceptual models. These methods have much...

... forces. Through integration of a large kinematic dataset, measurements of elastic recoil, energetic math modeling and dynamic math modeling, we tested how trap-jaw ants ( Odontomachus brunneus ) utilize multiple elastic structures to develop ultrafast and precise mandible rotations at small scales. We...

... rungs. Table 4. Standard major axis regression coefficients for mean free moment z ′ on mean horizontal force magnitude | x | In this study, we measured 3D force and torque from individual rungs on a climbing ladder and used these data to analyze the dynamics of vertical...

...Peter C. Raffalt; Jenny A. Kent; Shane R. Wurdeman; Nick Stergiou ABSTRACT During locomotion, humans change gait mode between walking and running as locomotion speed is either increased or decreased. Dynamical systems theory predicts that the self-organization of coordinated motor behaviors...

...Bo Cheng; Bret W. Tobalske; Donald R. Powers; Tyson L. Hedrick; Yi Wang; Susan M. Wethington; George T.-C. Chiu; Xinyan Deng ABSTRACT The superior manoeuvrability of hummingbirds emerges from complex interactions of specialized neural and physiological processes with the unique flight dynamics...

... and revisions: M.G., J.L.S. and J.M.M. COMPETING INTERESTS No competing interests declared. 29 5 2013 27 8 2013 © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd 2013 stress catecholamines dynamics serotonin dopamine trout When exposed to a stressor, animals...

... ( r 2 =0.55, P <0.00001), but greatly overestimated roll magnitude when applied with no roll damping. Non-dimensional roll damping coefficients of approximately –1.5,2–6 times greater than those typical of airplane flight dynamics(approximately –0.45), were required to bring our estimates...

... of both inertial and aerodynamic effects. * Author for correspondence (e-mail: thedrick@bio.unc.edu ) 6 3 2007 © The Company of Biologists Limited 2007 2007 avian maneuvering biomechanics flight dynamics Eolophus roseicapillus Although the vast majority...

...Daniel I. Goldman; Tao S. Chen; Daniel M. Dudek; Robert J. Full SUMMARY Rapid, vertically climbing cockroaches produced climbing dynamics similar to geckos, despite differences in attachment mechanism, `foot or toe'morphology and leg number. Given the common pattern in such diverse species,we...

... protrusions. We present a simple mechanosensory model for the task-level dynamics of wall following. In the model a torsional, mass-damper system describes the cockroach's turning dynamics, and a simplified antenna measures distance from the cockroach's centerline to a wall. The model predicts...

... for effective vertical as well as horizontal locomotion. No general dynamic model of legged climbing exists. By contrast, a single mass-spring model of level running captures the dynamics of two-, four-, six-and eight-legged pedestrians differing greatly in phylogeny and morphology( Blickhan and Full, 1993...

... the magnitude of fore–aft forces. The differential leg function of sprawled-posture geckos resembled sprawled-posture hexapods more than upright-posture quadrupeds. The pattern of leg ground reaction forces observed may provide passive, dynamic stability while minimizing joint moments, yet allow high...

...John O. Dabiri; Morteza Gharib SUMMARY Models of medusan swimming typically rely on kinematic approximations to observed animal morphology to make such investigations tractable. The effect of these simplifications on the accuracy of predicted dynamics has not been examined in detail. We conduct...

... musculoskeletal system and understand more fully its evolutionary design. * e-mail: abiewener@oeb.harvard.edu 09 06 1999 16 11 1999 © 1999 by Company of Biologists 1999 dynamics muscle function locomotion variability Muscles function to counterbalance loads...

... synchronized with ground reaction force recordings to evaluate the dynamics of jumping behavior in D. rotundus and to explore the functional characteristics of a wing operating under competing mechanical constraints. The pectoral limbs are responsible for generating upward thrust during the jump. The hindlimbs...

...J.-Y. Cheng; I. G. Davison; M. E. Demont ABSTRACT A dynamic model for a swimming scallop was developed which integrates the mechanical properties of the hinge ligaments, valve inertia, the external fluid-flow reaction, the fluid pressure in the mantle cavity and the muscle contraction. Kinematic...

...Ulrich Lönnendonker ABSTRACT The dynamic components of the fixation behaviour of walking Colorado beetles were examined. The beetles walked on top of a locomotion compensator under closed-loop conditions. The fixation target was a yellow disk with small black stripes (‘Colorado dummy’). The paths...

... of Biologists 1991 locomotion arthropods dynamics energetics Periplaneta americana Animals that vary in leg number, leg orientation, body shape and skeletal type show similarities in the mechanics of terrestrial locomotion when the effect of body mass is removed ( Full, 1989...