... from propulsive efficiency to environmental navigation. It is, however, challenging to quantify and compare body parts that, by their nature, dynamically vary in shape over many time scales. Commonly, body configurations are tracked by labelled markers and quantified parametrically through conventional...

... 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...

... ascend primarily by pulling upward from an overhead branch using the beak and feet, while resisting the gravitational pitching moment with horizontal force couples of the beak, feet and tail. Vertical Branch Dynamics Torque Gait Locomotion National Science Foundation http...

...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: [email protected] ) 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...

..., A. A. ( 2003 ). Muscle force–length dynamics during level versus incline locomotion: a comparison of in vivo performance of two guinea fowl ankle extensors. J. Exp. Biol. 206 , 2941 -2958. Dellit, W.-D. ( 1934 ). Zur anatomie und physiologie der Geckozehe. Jena. Z. Naturw. 68 , 613 -656...

... 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: [email protected] 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...

... . * Present address: Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. 14 9 1990 © 1991 by Company of Biologists 1991 locomotion arthropods dynamics energetics Periplaneta americana Animals that vary in leg number, leg...