金龟子绿僵菌对斜纹夜蛾幼虫的生防效果、抗氧化酶活性和肠道细菌群落的影响

【目的】测定金龟子绿僵菌(Metarhizium anisopliae)对斜纹夜蛾(Spodoptera litura) 2龄幼虫的毒力,研究金龟子绿僵菌侵染后寄主体内抗氧化酶活性和肠道内细菌群落的变化,探讨斜纹夜蛾对金龟子绿僵菌侵染的防御机制。【方法】采用浸渍法测定不同浓度金龟子绿僵菌对斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫的毒力;应用IlluminaMiSeq高通量测序技术测定肠道细菌群落。【结果】不同浓度的孢悬液对斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫均有一定的毒力,处理7 d时半致死浓度(LC₅₀)为3.944 107个孢子/mL;浓度为1.0×10⁹个孢子/mL时,半致死时间最短(LT₅₀)为4.6 d,校正后的死亡率为81.03%。处理后未致死的斜纹夜蛾幼虫体内抗氧化酶活性显著高于对照组。处理后致死的斜纹夜蛾幼虫肠道细菌群落多样性显著高于对照组;且处理后致死的斜纹夜蛾幼虫肠道细菌群落组成与对照组差异显著。【结论】金龟子绿僵菌对斜纹夜蛾幼虫的致死率和致死效率与金龟子绿僵菌的浓度呈正相关;斜纹夜蛾幼虫体内的抗氧化酶可能在抵抗金龟子绿僵菌侵染的过程中起重要作...     

甜菜夜蛾肽聚糖识别蛋白基因SePGRP-SA的克隆及功能鉴定

【目的】本研究旨在阐明甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua幼虫体内肽聚糖识别蛋白(peptidoglycan recognition protein, PGRP)在响应苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)感染过程中的功能。【方法】利用PCR方法扩增甜菜夜蛾幼虫肽聚糖识别蛋白基因SePGRP-SA全长cDNA;采用qRT-PCR分析SePGRP-SA在甜菜夜蛾不同发育阶段(卵、1-5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹)及4龄幼虫不同组织(中肠、马氏管、围食膜、脂肪体、血淋巴和表皮)中的表达。通过RNAi技术沉默SePGRP-SA基因72 h后,qRT-PCR检测SePGRP-SA沉默效率及甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫中肠抗菌肽相关基因(Ceropin, Attacin和Defensin)和细菌载量的变化。RNAi沉默SePGRP-SA 24 h后,以苏云金芽胞杆菌菌株Bt-GS57饲喂甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫0, 24, 48, 72, 96和120 h,计算幼虫校正死亡率;饲喂甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫Bt-GS57后0, 24, 48和72 h,利用qRT-PCR检测中肠SePGRP-SA, Ceropin, Attacin和Defensin的相对表达量。【结果】克隆获得甜菜夜蛾SePGRP-SA全长DNA(GenBank登录号：MW265930),开放阅读框长576 bp,编码191个氨基酸,其编码蛋白的预测分子量为21.59 kD。序列分析结果表明,SePGRP-SA具有典型的PGRP和Ami2保守结构域,信号肽为19个氨基酸,为分泌型蛋白;系统进化分析发现,SePGRP-SA与斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura的SlPGRP亲缘关系最近,氨基酸序列一致性达91.1%。发育表达谱结果表明SePGRP-SA在甜菜夜蛾4和5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹中高表达;组织表达谱结果表明,SePGRP-SA在4龄幼虫各组织中均表达,其中以血淋巴中表达量最高。与注射dsEGFP(对照)相比,注射dsSePGRP-SA的甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫在72 h时中肠SePGRP-SA基因表达量下调了95.26%,Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin表达量显著下调,中肠细菌载量显著升高。注射dsEGFP和dsSePGRP-SA的甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫饲喂Bt-GS57,72 h时幼虫校正死亡率分别为50.00%和73.33%,表明幼虫对Bt-GS57的敏感性明显增加。甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫取食Bt-GS57后,中肠SePGRP-SA, Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin表达量在48 h均显著增加,72 h时降低。【结论】Bt侵染能够引起甜菜夜蛾SePGRP SA基因激活抗菌肽相关基因Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin的表达。     

基于邻域最大差值与区域合并的油茶毒蛾幼虫图像分割

【目的】油茶树害虫的种类较多,其中油茶毒蛾Euproctis pseudoconspersa幼虫是危害较大的害虫之一。为完成油茶毒蛾幼虫的自动检测需要对其图像进行分割,油茶毒蛾幼虫图像的分割效果直接影响到图像的自动识别。【方法】本文提出了基于邻域最大差值与区域合并的油茶毒蛾幼虫图像分割算法,该方法主要是对相邻像素RGB的3个分量进行差值运算,最大差值若为0,则进行相邻像素合并得出初始的分割图像,根据合并准则进一步合并,得到最终分割结果。【结果】实验结果表明,该算法可以快速有效地将油茶毒蛾幼虫图像中的背景和虫体分割开来。【结论】使用JSEG分割算法、K均值聚类分割算法、快速几何可变形分割算法和本文算法对油茶毒蛾幼虫图像进行分割,将结果进行对比发现本文方法的分割效果最佳,且处理时间较短。     

基于颜色名和OpponentSIFT特征的鳞翅目昆虫图像识别

【目的】本研究旨在探索使用先进的计算机视觉技术实现对昆虫图像的自动分类方法。【方法】通过预处理对采集的昆虫标本图像去除背景,获得昆虫图像的前景蒙板,并由蒙板确定的轮廓计算出前景图像的最小包围盒,剪切出由最小包围盒确定的前景有效区域,然后对剪切得到的图像进行特征提取。首先提取颜色名特征,把原来的RGB（Red-Green-Blue）图像的像素值映射到11种颜色名空间,其值表示RGB值属于该颜色名的概率,每个颜色名平面划分成3×3像素大小的网格,用每格的概率均值作为网格中心点的描述子,最后用空阈金字塔直方图统计的方式形成颜色名视觉词袋特征;其次提取OpponentSIFT(Opponent Scale Invariant Feature Transform)特征,首先把RGB图像变换到对立色空间,对该空间每通道提取SIFT特征,最后用空域池化和直方图统计方法形成OpponentSIFT视觉词袋。将两种词袋特征串接后得到该昆虫图像的特征向量。使用昆虫图像样本训练集提取到的特征向量训练SVM（Support Vector Machine）分类器,使用这些训练得到的分类器即可实现对鳞翅目昆虫的分类识别。【结果】该方法在包含10种576个样本的昆虫图像数据库中进行了测试,取得了100%的识别正确率。【结论】试验结果证明基于颜色名和OpponentSIFT特征可以有效实现对鳞翅目昆虫图像的识别。     

基于稀疏编码和SCG BPNN的鳞翅目昆虫图像识别

【目的】为了给林业、 农业或植物检疫等行业人员提供一种方便快捷的昆虫种类识别方法, 本文提出了一种新颖的鳞翅目昆虫图像自动识别方法。【方法】首先通过预处理对采集的昆虫标本图像去除背景, 分割出双翅, 并对翅图像的位置进行校正。然后把校正后的翅面分割成多个超像素, 用每个超像素的l, a, b颜色及x, y坐标平均值作为其特征数据。接下来用稀疏编码(SC)算法训练码本、 生成编码并汇集成特征向量训练量化共轭梯度反向传播神经网络（SCG BPNN）, 并用得到的BPNN进行分类识别。【结果】该方法对包含576个样本的昆虫图像的数据库进行了测试, 取得了高于99%的识别正确率, 并有理想的时间性能、 鲁棒性及稳定性。【结论】实验结果证明了本文方法在识别鳞翅目昆虫图像上的有效性。     

Cry1C蛋白对4种棉花害虫的致死效果

【背景】苏云金芽胞杆菌(Bt)属革兰氏阳性细菌,是目前世界上应用最广泛的杀虫剂。来自Bt的Cry1Ac基因自1997年商业化以来,其产生的蛋白对棉铃虫、红铃虫等鳞翅目害虫起到了很好的控制作用。但该基因对甜菜夜蛾、斜纹夜蛾、玉米螟等害虫的控制作用较差,因此,需要寻找新的Bt基因亚型控制上述害虫。【方法】将Cry1C蛋白加到人工饲料上形成药膜后,接入低龄幼虫进行生物测定,以常规不加毒蛋白的饲料为对照,计算1、3、5、7 d后不同害虫的校正死亡率。【结果】随着Cry1C蛋白浓度的增加及时间的延长,甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾的校正死亡率逐渐升高,Cry1C浓度为10μg·m L-1时,处理7 d后,甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾的校正死亡率分别为100%和85.42%,表明甜菜夜蛾比斜纹夜蛾更敏感,而棉铃虫和玉米螟对Cry1C蛋白的敏感性较差。【结论与意义】Cry1C基因可作为控制棉田甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾的有价值的候选基因,但是对棉铃虫和玉米螟无效。该研究为筛选新的Bt基因亚型用于防治不同的棉花害虫提供了数据参考。     

响应面法优化爪哇虫草菌的培养条件及其对斜纹夜蛾的毒力和保护酶活性影响

【目的】优化爪哇虫草菌Bd01的固态发酵培养条件,测定分生孢子对斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫的毒力,研究被爪哇虫草菌侵染后寄主体内的保护酶活性变化。【方法】采用单因素试验确定爪哇虫草菌Bd01最佳的固态培养基及培养条件,利用Box-Behnken响应面法优化发酵参数,采用浸渍法测定分生孢子对斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫的毒力,同时利用分光光度计法测定斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫体内酶活性变化。【结果】以产孢量为指标,通过响应曲面法优化的爪哇虫草菌Bd01最佳产孢条件为：培养基营养成分含量为30.24g/L,pH值为7.55,光照时长为12.06h,在该条件下,培养基的产孢量为2.78×10⁸孢子/mL。浓度为1×10⁸孢子/mL的爪哇虫草菌孢子液对斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫具有一定毒力,处理7 d时致死中浓度(LT₅₀)为3.11 d,致死中时(LC₅₀)为4.68×10⁵孢子/mL,校正死亡率为88.68%。处理后未死亡的斜纹夜蛾幼虫体内保护酶活性与对照组相比发生显著变化。【结论】优化后的培养基能够显著增加爪哇虫草菌的产...     

苦瓜素Ⅰ对斜纹夜蛾几丁质酶基因(SlCht)和几丁质合成酶基因(SlCHS-A)表达及其生长发育的影响

【目的】几丁质酶和几丁质合成酶对昆虫的变态发育极其重要。本研究旨在阐明苦瓜素Ⅰ对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura几丁质酶和几丁质合成酶基因表达及其生长发育的影响。【方法】利用RT-qPCR检测斜纹夜蛾几丁质酶基因(SlCht)和几丁质合成酶基因(SlCHS-A)在斜纹夜蛾不同发育阶段(卵、幼虫、预蛹、蛹和成虫)和4-6龄幼虫不同组织(体壁、中肠、脂肪体、血细胞、头部和马氏管)中的表达水平以及注射苦瓜素Ⅰ溶液(4 μg/头) 24, 48和72 h时斜纹夜蛾SlCht和SlCHS-A在6龄幼虫各组织中的表达水平。分析在斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫中注射不同浓度(31.25, 62.5, 125, 250和500 ng/头)的苦瓜素Ⅰ溶液对幼虫和蛹历期、幼虫增重、蛹重、蛹长度、化蛹率、羽化率和存活率的影响,并利用体视显微镜观察斜纹夜蛾幼虫的表型变化。【结果】SlCht和SlCHS-A在斜纹夜蛾中的表达具有发育阶段特异性。SlCht和SlCHS-A在卵期表达量最高,幼虫期和预蛹期的表达量较低;在各幼虫期又表现为6龄幼虫期表达量最高,在其他龄期的表达量低。SlCht和SlCHS-A在斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫中也显示出组织特异性表达,在血细胞和体壁中高表达,在头部、中肠和脂肪体中低表达。在斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫中注射苦瓜素Ⅰ能诱导SlCht和SlCHS-A在其各组织中表达量降低;在4龄幼虫中注射苦瓜素Ⅰ后,斜纹夜蛾的生长发育受到抑制,幼虫增重延缓,发育历期延长,化蛹率下降甚至化蛹失败,幼虫及蛹出现较高的畸形率。【结论】苦瓜素Ⅰ可通过诱导SlCht和SlCHS-A表达量的降低来实现对斜纹夜蛾生长发育的抑制作用。本研究为进一步阐明苦瓜素对斜纹夜蛾生长发育的抑制机制提供了新的理论基础,并为进一步应用苦瓜素Ⅰ进行防控奠定了基础。     

基于深度学习的蝴蝶科级标本图像自动识别

【目的】本研究旨在探讨深度学习模型在蝴蝶科级标本图像自动识别中的可行性和泛化能力。【方法】为了提高识别模型的鲁棒性和泛化能力,将锤角亚目中6个科1 117种蝴蝶标本图像通过水平翻转、增加图像对比度与亮度以及添加噪声的方式增强图像数据集。在Caffe框架下,利用迁移学习方法,首先使用Image Net数据集中的图像训练Caffe Net模型,迭代31万次后得到初始化的网络权值;然后利用蝴蝶图像训练已预训练好的Caffe Net模型,通过参数微调,获得一个蝴蝶科级标本图像自动识别的卷积神经网络模型。为了比较深度学习和传统模式识别两种方法建立的模型的泛化能力,对相同训练样本提取全局特征和局部特征,训练支持向量机(support vector machine,SVM)分类器。所有的模型在与训练样本图像来源一致和不一致的两个测试样本集上进行测试。【结果】当测试样本与训练样本来源一致,均为蝴蝶标本图像时,基于Caffe Net的蝴蝶识别模型对6个科的蝴蝶识别准确率平均达到95.8%,基于Gabor的SVM分类器也获得了94.8%的识别率。当测试样本与训练样本来源不一致,为自然环境下拍摄的蝴蝶图像时,两种方法获得的识别率均下降,但Caffe Net模型对蝴蝶自然图像的平均识别率仍能达到65.6%,而基于Gabor的SVM分类器的识别率仅为38.9%。【结论】利用Caffe Net模型进行蝴蝶科级标本图像识别是可行的,相比较传统模式识别方法,基于深度学习的蝴蝶识别模型具有更好的泛化能力。     

EVOLUTION OF HINDLIMB POSTURE IN ARCHOSAURS: LIMB STRESSES IN EXTINCT VERTEBRATES

Abstract:  During the Triassic, some 250–200 million years ago, the basal archosaurs showed a transition from sprawling to erect posture. Past studies focused on changes in bone morphology, especially on the joints, as they reorientated from a sprawling to an erect posture. Here we introduce a biomechanical model to estimate the magnitude of femur stress in different postures, in order to determine the most reasonable postures for five basal archosaurs along the line to crocodiliforms (the rhynchosaur Stenaulorhynchus , the basal archosaur Erythrosuchus , the 'rauisuchian' Batrachotomus , the aetosaurs Desmatosuchus and Typothorax ). The results confirm a sprawling posture in basal taxa and an erect posture in derived taxa. Erect posture may have evolved as a strategy to reduce large bending stresses on the limb bone caused by heavy body weights in larger forms.     

嘴壶夜蛾的形态、生活史及昼夜节律

嘴壶夜蛾Oraesia emarginata (Fabricius)是危害水果果实的重要害虫之一, 其成虫和幼虫取食不同的寄主植物, 可以作为理想的嗅觉研究模式昆虫。为了全面地了解嘴壶夜蛾的形态特性和生物学特性, 本实验通过室内饲喂和红外摄像机观察, 对嘴壶夜蛾各虫态的外部形态、 发育以及昼夜活动节律进行了系统研究。结果表明： 嘴壶夜蛾的各龄幼虫可以通过体色, 体表色斑的类型、 位置和数量, 以及腹足的数量进行区别。通过蛹的生殖孔和成虫触角能够很好地区别雌雄。在室内饲养条件下, 嘴壶夜蛾的寿命为53.18±1.70 d, 存活率为63.62%±2.15%, 其中幼虫的发育历期最长, 存活率最低, 卵的发育历期最短, 存活率最高, 雄成虫的存活时间显著长于雌成虫（P=0.008）。6龄幼虫的发育历期（5.29±0.15 d）显著长于其余各龄幼虫（P<0.001）。同一龄发育中期幼虫的体长和体重显著大于将蜕皮幼虫和刚蜕皮幼虫（P≤0.037）; 第2-6龄刚蜕皮幼虫的体重和体长与前一龄发育中期幼虫之间没有显著差异（P≥0.106）。幼虫在光期的孵化、 蜕皮和化蛹比例高于暗期, 而成虫在暗期的飞行、 产卵比例高于光期, 成虫的飞行随着暗期时间的增加而逐渐变少, 光期成虫的飞行主要在开灯之后1 h。成虫交配集中在暗期的第3-5 小时。本研究结果有助于制定有效的嘴壶夜蛾防治措施, 而且为嘴壶夜蛾作为嗅觉研究模式奠定基础。     

蛾翅数学形态特征用于夜蛾分类和鉴定的可行性研究

摘要: 为探讨蛾翅数学形态特征(MMC)在夜蛾科分类鉴定中的可行性, 本文利用数字化技术获得和处理昆虫图像, 对鳞翅目夜蛾科6种夜蛾的右前翅提取矩形度、 延长度、 叶状性、 偏心率、 球状性、 似圆度和不变矩Hu1、 Hu2等13项与大小尺度和方向均无关的数学形态特征, 并利用方差分析、 逐步判别分析和聚类分析等方法研究了各项数学形态特征在昆虫分类上作为分类特征的可行性、 可靠性和重要性, 并且从数学形态学角度对夜蛾科6个种的亲缘关系进行了分析。分析结果认为矩形度和延长度2个形态特征对这6种夜蛾的分类鉴定没有显著意义, 从而筛选出11个形态特征作为分类变量, 它们的作用大小依次为： （偏心率、 Hu5、 Hu7）＞Hu2＞似圆度＞球状性＞Hu3＞（叶状性、 Hu1、 Hu6）＞Hu4。利用蛾翅的这些特征参数成功地实现了对夜蛾科6种夜蛾的分类鉴定, 基于这些特征参数的6种夜蛾的亲缘关系远近与基于传统形态学的系统进化观点相同。研究表明蛾翅数学形态特征可应用于蛾类昆虫的快速鉴定, 为未来逐步实现蛾类昆虫的自动识别奠定了基础。     

Biomechanics of the release of sex pheromone in moths: effects of body posture on local airflow

ABSTRACT. The calling posture of Spilosoma congrua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) affects local airflow in ways that may impact on the release of chemical signals. Dried specimens of S. congrua imitating resting moths, calling moths, and moths with intermediate postures were placed in a wind tunnel. The wind speed was measured near the abdomenal tip where sex pheromone emission occurs. The calling posture, wings-up, gave significantly greater mean wind speeds near the surface of the sex pheromone gland, effectively eliminating the dead air space that surrounds a non-calling moth. The calling posture also decreased the relative intensity of turbulence near the pheromone gland surface.     

Associations between cervical and scapular posture and the spatial distribution of trapezius muscle activity

The first aim of this investigation was to quantify the distribution of trapezius muscle activity with different scapular postures while seated. The second aim of this investigation was to examine the association between changes in cervical and scapular posture when attempting to recruit different subdivisions of the trapezius muscle. Cervical posture, scapular posture, and trapezius muscle activity were recorded from 20 healthy participants during three directed shoulder postures. Planar angles formed by reflective markers placed on the acromion process, C7, and tragus were used to quantify cervical and scapular posture. Distribution of trapezius muscle activity was recorded using two high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) electrodes positioned over the upper, middle, and lower trapezius. Results validated the assumption that directed scapular postures preferentially activate different subdivisions of the trapezius muscle. In particular, scapular depression was associated with a more inferior location of trapezius muscle activity (r = 0.53). Scapular elevation was coupled with scapular abduction (r = 0.52). Scapular adduction was coupled with cervical extension (r = 0.35); all other changes in cervical posture were independent of changes in scapular posture. This investigation provides empirical support for reductions in static loading of the upper trapezius and improvements in neck posture through verbal cueing of scapular posture.     

Body size and joint posture in primates

Body mass has been shown in experimental and comparative morphological studies to have a significant effect on joint posture in major limb joints. The generalizability of experimental studies is limited by their use of small sample sizes and limited size ranges. In contrast, while comparative morphological studies often have increased sample sizes, the connection between joint posture and morphological variables is often indirect. The current study infers joint postures for a large sample of primates using an experimentally validated method, and tests whether larger primates use more extended joint postures than smaller species. Postures are inferred through the analysis of patterns of subchondral bone apparent density on the medial femoral condyle. Femora from 94 adult wild‐shot individuals of 28 species were included. Apparent density measurements were obtained from CT scans using AMIRA software, and the angular position of the anterior‐most extent of the region of maximum apparent density on the medial femoral condyle was recorded. In general, the hypothesis that larger‐bodied primates use more extended knee posture was supported, but it should be noted that considerable variation exists, particularly at small body sizes. This indicates that smaller species are less constrained by their body size, and their patterns of apparent density are consistent with a wide range of knee postures. The size‐related increase in inferred joint posture was observed in most major groups of primates, and this observation attests to the generalizability of Biewener's model that relates body size and joint posture. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Feeding postures of suspension-feeding larval black flies: the conflicting demands of drag and food acquisition

Summary We tested whether larval black flies actively control the positioning of their feeding appendages (labral fans), and if so, whether their posture represents a balance between the conflicting demands of drag and feeding. We compared the postures of live larvae with the postures of larvae killed by heat-shock in three different flow regimes in a laboratory experiment; we assumed that the postures of heat-killed larvae approximated a passive response to drag. The average height of the labral fans above the bed declined significantly in faster flows, and was significantly greater in live than dead larvae. There was also a significant interaction effect, since the difference between the fan heights of live and dead larvae was greater in slower flows. Two mechanisms may contribute to this result. Larvae in slower flows have to increase their fan heights more than larvae living in faster flows to achieve comparable increases in velocity and thus particle flux. In addition, muscular strength may limit the feeding postures larvae can assume. The fan heights of live larvae also varied depending on the concentration of food particles: larvae exposed to low food concentrations held their fans higher above the bed than did larvae exposed to high food concentrations in the same flow regime. This change in posture is due neither to an uneven particle concentration in the boundary layer nor to added drag from particles trapped in the labral fans. Collectively, our results indicate that these suspension feeders actively control their feeding posture, and suggest that these varying postures represent a dynamic balance between the conflicting needs of minimizing drag and maximizing feeding.     

Elbow joint adductor moment arm as an indicator of forelimb posture in extinct quadrupedal tetrapods

Forelimb posture has been a controversial aspect of reconstructing locomotor behaviour in extinct quadrupedal tetrapods. This is partly owing to the qualitative and subjective nature of typical methods, which focus on bony articulations that are often ambiguous and unvalidated postural indicators. Here we outline a new, quantitatively based forelimb posture index that is applicable to a majority of extant tetrapods. By determining the degree of elbow joint adduction/abduction mobility in several tetrapods, the carpal flexor muscles were determined to also play a role as elbow adductors. Such adduction may play a major role during the stance phase in sprawling postures. This role is different from those of upright/sagittal and sloth-like creeping postures, which, respectively, depend more on elbow extensors and flexors. Our measurements of elbow muscle moment arms in 318 extant tetrapod skeletons (Lissamphibia, Synapsida and Reptilia: 33 major clades and 263 genera) revealed that sprawling, sagittal and creeping tetrapods, respectively, emphasize elbow adductor, extensor and flexor muscles. Furthermore, scansorial and non-scansorial taxa, respectively, emphasize flexors and extensors. Thus, forelimb postures of extinct tetrapods can be qualitatively classified based on our quantitative index. Using this method, we find that Triceratops (Ceratopsidae), Anhanguera (Pterosauria) and desmostylian mammals are categorized as upright/sagittally locomoting taxa.     

Estimation of the effective static moment arms of the tendons in the index finger extensor mechanism

A novel technique to estimate the contribution of finger extensor tendons to joint moment generation was proposed. Effective static moment arms (ESMAs), which represent the net effects of the tendon force on joint moments in static finger postures, were estimated for the 4 degrees of freedom (DOFs) in the index finger. Specifically, the ESMAs for the five tendons contributing to the finger extensor apparatus were estimated by directly correlating the applied tendon force to the measured resultant joint moments in cadaveric hand specimens. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the finger posture, specifically interphalangeal joint angles, had significant effects on the measured ESMA values in 7 out of 20 conditions (four DOFs for each of the five muscles). Extensor digitorum communis and extensor indicis proprius tendons were found to have greater MCP ESMA values when IP joints are flexed, whereas abduction ESMAs of all muscles except extensor digitorum profundus were mainly affected by MCP flexion. The ESMAs were generally smaller than the moment arms estimated in previous studies that employed kinematic measurement techniques. Tendon force distribution within the extensor hood and dissipation into adjacent structures are believed to contribute to the joint moment reductions, which result in smaller ESMA values.     

Positional behavior and substrate use in wild adult bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Natural selection for positional behavior (posture and locomotion) has at least partially driven the evolution of anatomical form and function in the order Primates. Examination of bipedal behaviors associated with daily activity patterns, foraging, and terrestrial habitat use in nonhuman primates, particularly those that adopt bipedal postures and use bipedal locomotion, allows us to refine hypotheses concerning the evolution of bipedalism in humans. This study describes the positional behavior of wild bearded capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus), a species that is known for its use of terrestrial substrates and its habitual use of stones as tools. Here, we test the association of terrestrial substrate use with bipedal posture and locomotion, and the influence of sex (which co‐varies with body mass in adults of this species) on positional behavior and substrate use. Behavior and location of 16 wild adult bearded capuchins from two groups were sampled systematically at 15 s intervals for 2 min periods for 1 year (10,244 samples). Despite their different body masses, adult males (average 3.5 kg) and females (average 2.1 kg) in this study did not differ substantially in their positional behaviors, postures, or use of substrates for particular activities. The monkeys used terrestrial substrates in 27% of samples. Bipedal postures and behaviors, while not a prominent feature of their behavior, occurred in different forms on the two substrates. The monkeys crouched bipedally in trees, but did not use other bipedal postures in trees. While on terrestrial substrates, they also crouched bipedally but occasionally stood upright and moved bipedally with orthograde posture. Bearded capuchin monkeys' behavior supports the suggestion from anatomical analysis that S. libidinosus is morphologically better adapted than its congeners to adopt orthograde postures.