Vertical Clingers and Leapers - A Biomechanical and Allometric Analysis

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The primary goal of this research is to better understand the relationships between locomotor behavior, body size and the structural adaptations of the musculoskeletal system in a group of highly endangered primates. The investigators will study a unique positional behavior of prosimians, "vertical clinging and leaping." It is characterized by clinging postures on and progression by leaps from vertical substrates. Over the years, a great morphological diversity has been demonstrated within the locomotor category -- much of which appears to be size related. Corresponding behavioral differences remain to be explored, in large part because adequate data on the larger-bodied representatives are not available. This project will analyze locomotion and postures of larger-bodied vertical clingers and leapers. Data collection will include videotaping and "force pole" recordings of take-off and landing forces. A theoretical biomechanical framework will serve to elucidate the form-function interface and generate testable hypotheses about morphological adaptations of different-sized animals to this locomotor mode. We expect the study to contribute to a better understanding of the morphological diversity within the locomotor category, including the fossil record of locomotor design.