Evolutionary biomechanics of vertebrate musculoskeletal systems

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The vertebrate body form is very diverse. Vertebrates swim, crawl, slither, walk, run, hop and fly. How bodies are able to move, and more specifically how muscles, bones and other tissues work together to produce such different motions is the result of the functional and evolutionary flexibility of the musculoskeletal system. The long term goal of my research is to understand the anatomical, physiological and functional flexibility of vertebrate muscles and bones. I will do this in two ways; first, by testing hypotheses on how differences in mechanics and physiology of similar animals contribute to variation in performance, and second, by subjecting animals to non-natural experimental environments and testing hypotheses on how environmental conditions affect body shape and kinematic behaviour over time. A series of complementary projects focused on biomechanics and functional morphology are designed to achieve these goals through a student project-driven interdisciplinary research program. Project one will use the evolutionary variation in morphology and performance of different frog species to determine what subtle changes in muscle physiology, skeletal anatomy, and kinematics are responsible for the large differences we see in jump performance across frogs. Project two will use the existing diversity in form and function of the ray-finned fish pelvic girdle to test how muscle morphology changes over evolutionary time. By looking at differences in muscle activation timing and enervation patterns across fish, we may be able to predict how a single muscle gets co-opted into performing multiple functions and ultimately partitions from one unit into multiple functionally independent units. Projects three and four will raise fish in new environments, Polypterus senegalus on land and trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) in circular flow, to test how changing environmental pressures affect kinematic behaviour and ultimate muscle and bone formation. This research program will provide a comprehensive analysis of the biomechanical flexibility of vertebrate musculoskeletal systems that have naturally evolved as well as in systems forced to adapt to artificially altered environments. Working in collaboration with engineers, this data will also be used to develop and construct biomimetic robotics, using the extreme functionality of natural systems to enhance man-made devices. In addition to providing insight into the biomechanical and adaptive flexibility of vertebrates, this research program aims to establish a centre for biomechanical research in Canada with the ability to collaborate across disciplines to answer a diversity of questions using state-of–the-art technologies.