Locomotion in captive Leontopithecus and Callimico: A multimedia study

Video studies, gait analysis, footprint tracks, and observational scan sampling show that, in comparably furnished enclosures, Leontopithecus rosalia and Callimico goeldii are superficially similar in their use of predefined locomotor patterns but differ profoundly in many underlying details which reflect differences in postcranial morphology. Each uses pronograde arboreal quadrupedal walking, quadrupedal bounding, and vertical climbing with comparable frequency, and both shift to bounding while moving quadrupedally at high speeds. In walking, both species use a diagonal sequence gait. However, in Callimico the distance per bout traveled while walking or running is shorter than in L. rosalia and there is an emphasis on leaping (from a stationary position) and bounding-leaps (saltational extensions of pronograde quadrupedalism), in contrast with the basically quadrupedal style of L. rosalia. This dichotomy is consistent with anatomical specializations, such as forelimb elongation in Leontopithecus and hindlimb elongation in Callimico. In vivo hand- and footprint studies demonstrate grasping halluces in both species while walking. Limb stances in L. rosalia during “transaxial bounding” involve an overstriding hindlimb, a predominance of oblique rather than in-line travel, and unique hand and foot positions. Anatomically, this locomotor style may be associated with reduced dexterity of the elongate hands and a relatively short hallux. The captive locomotor profiles for both species probably reflect biased samples of the locomotor repertoire of their wild counterparts. Nevertheless, these data reflect species-specific integrations of locomotor behavior and morphology, and corroborate expectations of locomotor diversity among callitrichine primates, even those of similar body size. It is suggested, however, that conventional quantitative studies of locomotor profiles may prove inadequate for resolving subtle aspects of locomotor morphology and behavior. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Moving in two worlds: aquatic and terrestrial locomotion in sea snakes (Laticauda colubrina,Laticaudidae)

Yellow‐lipped sea kraits (Laticauda colubrina) are amphibious in their habits. We measured their locomotor speeds in water and on land to investigate two topics: (1) to what degree have adaptations to increase swimming speed (paddle‐like tail etc.) reduced terrestrial locomotor ability in sea kraits?; and (2) do a sea krait’s sex and body size influence its locomotor ability in these two habitats, as might be expected from the fact that different age and sex classes of sea kraits use the marine and terrestrial environments in different ways? To estimate ancestral states for locomotor performance, we measured speeds of three species of Australian terrestrial elapids that spend part of their time foraging in water. The evolutionary modifications of Laticauda for marine life have enhanced their swimming speeds by about 60%, but decreased their terrestrial locomotor speed by about 80%. Larger snakes moved faster than smaller individuals in absolute terms but were slower in terms of body lengths travelled per second, especially on land. Male sea kraits were faster than females (independent of the body‐size effect), especially on land. Prey items in the gut reduced locomotor speeds both on land and in water. Proteroglyphous snakes may offer exceptional opportunities to study phylogenetic shifts in locomotor ability, because (1) they display multiple independent evolutionary shifts from terrestrial to aquatic habits, and (2) one proteroglyph lineage (the laticaudids) displays considerable intraspecific and interspecific diversity in terms of the degree to which they use terrestrial vs. aquatic habitats.     

ALTERNATE PATHWAYS OF BODY SHAPE EVOLUTION TRANSLATE INTO COMMON PATTERNS OF LOCOMOTOR EVOLUTION IN TWO CLADES OF LIZARDS

Body shape has a fundamental impact on organismal function, but it is unknown how functional morphology and locomotor performance and kinematics relate across a diverse array of body shapes. We showed that although patterns of body shape evolution differed considerably between lizards of the Phrynosomatinae and Lerista, patterns of locomotor evolution coincided between clades. Specifically, we found that the phrynosomatines evolved a stocky phenotype through body widening and limb shortening, whereas Lerista evolved elongation through body lengthening and limb shortening. In both clades, relative limb length played a key role in locomotor evolution and kinematic strategies, with long‐limbed species moving faster and taking longer strides. In Lerista, the body axis also influenced locomotor evolution. Similar patterns of locomotor evolution were likely due to constraints on how the body can move. However, these common patterns of locomotor evolution between the two clades resulted in different kinematic strategies and levels of performance among species because of their morphological differences. Furthermore, we found no evidence that distinct body shapes are adaptations to different substrates, as locomotor kinematics did not change on loose or solid substrates. Our findings illustrate the importance of studying kinematics to understand the mechanisms of locomotor evolution and phenotype‐function relationships.     

The effects of temperature and inter-individual variation on the locomotor performance of juvenile turtles

The effects of temperature on aquatic and terrestrial locomotor performance, including measures of burst speed, endurance, and righting response, the inter-individual correlation between measures of locomotor performance, and the temporal repeatability of performance were assessed in juvenile western painted turtles, Chrysemys picta bellii. Locomotor performance increased as temperature increased, with Q ₁₀ values ranging from 1.33 to 1.98 for burst speed and 2.28 to 2.76 for endurance measures. Righting response performance also increased with temperature. Aquatic and terrestrial measures of locomotor performance were highly correlated; however, righting response was not correlated with any other measure of performance. Measures of terrestrial locomotor performance were highly repeatable over the entire 30-week study period, whereas aquatic locomotor performance was only repeatable through week 12. The righting response was repeatable over a 6-week study period. Both the interindividual variation and temperature effects on locomotor performance likely influences the survival of turtles, especially juveniles, by affecting the length of time turtles are exposed to potential predators and their ability to escape.     

Ontogeny of the hominoid scapula: The influence of locomotion on morphology

Primate shoulder morphology has been linked with locomotor habits, oftentimes irrespective of phylogenetic heritage. Among hominoids, juvenile African apes are known to climb more frequently than adults, while orangutans and gibbons maintain an arboreal lifestyle throughout ontogeny. This study examined if these ontogenetic locomotor differences carry a morphological signal, which should be evident in the scapulae of chimpanzees and gorillas but absent in taxa that do not display ontogenetic behavioral shifts. The scapular morphology of five hominoid primates and one catarrhine outgroup was examined throughout ontogeny to evaluate if scapular traits linked with arboreal activities are modified in response to ontogenetic behavioral shifts away from climbing. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1) which scapular characteristics distinguish taxa with different locomotor habits; and 2) do these traits show associated changes during development in taxa known to modify their behavioral patterns? Several traits characterized suspensory taxa from nonsuspensory forms, such as cranially oriented glenohumeral joints, obliquely oriented scapular spines, relatively narrow infraspinous fossae, and inferolaterally expanded subscapularis fossae. The relative shape of the dorsal scapular fossae changed in Pan, Gorilla, and also Macaca in line with predictions based on reported ontogenetic changes in locomotor behavior. These morphological changes were mostly distinct from those seen in Pongo, Hylobates, and Homo and imply a unique developmental pattern, possibly related to ontogenetic locomotor shifts. Accordingly, features that sorted taxa by locomotor habits and changed in concert with ontogenetic behavioral patterns should be particularly useful for reconstructing the locomotor habits of fossil forms. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:239–260, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

SYMMETRY,LOCOMOTION, AND THE EVOLUTION OF AN ANTERIOR END: A LESSON FROM SEA URCHINS

Bilaterally symmetrical, “regular” sea urchins in the Family Echinometridae (Class Echinoidea; Phylum Echinodermata) were found to lack a locomotor anterior. Heterocentrotus mammillatus and Echinometra mathaei were observed while locomoting. Members of both ellipsoidal species were found to proceed with their short or long axis foremost with statistically equivalent frequencies. This finding demonstrates that the evolution of bilateral symmetry is not always accompanied by the evolution of a locomotor “anterior” end. The elliptical echinometrid sea urchins provide a particularly appropriate study group for investigating the relationship between the evolution of body form and locomotor behavior. Although the radially symmetrical regular sea urchins, from which the echinometrids sprang, lack a locomotor anterior, all “irregular” echinoids, which are also derived from a regular ancestor but are bilaterally symmetrical, possess an “obligate” locomotor anterior. The symmetry and behavior exhibited by the elliptical echinometrid sea urchins therefore demonstrates that the first irregular echinoids (which exhibit bilateral symmetry by definition) need not have possessed a locomotor anterior as they do today.     

Mating‐Associated Changes in the Behaviour of Leptothorax gredleri Ant Queens

Throughout their lives, animals adapt their behaviour to environmental fluctuations and to their own requirements. In social insects, behavioural changes are often particularly conspicuous. For example, in many ant species, reproductive sexuals leave their maternal nests and engage in risky mating and dispersal activities. Female sexuals experience, during a short period of time, dramatic changes in terms of behaviour and environmental conditions. But because sexual activities of ants are not easily observed, few studies have quantified in detail how behaviour alters with maturation and mating. We studied how various behavioural traits of Leptothorax gredleri female sexuals, a species in which female sexuals attract males by ‘female calling’, change before and after mating. We tested the hypothesis that behavioural variation reflects the altered requirements of queens to adapt to a particular situation. To this end, we compared geotactic, phototactic and locomotor behaviour across a wide range of life stages from lightly coloured, unmated female sexuals to old, mated queens. The results showed that female sexuals of L. gredleri change conspicuously their geotactic, phototactic and locomotor behavioural traits over their life stages. Three different behavioural states were evident (1) from light to dark female sexuals, individuals have negative phototaxis and reduced locomotor activity; (2) mature female sexuals during the daily period of sexual activity have strong phototaxis, negative geotaxis and an important locomotor activity; and (3) freshly mated and old mated queens avoid light and decrease their locomotor activity. These sharp differences in behaviour between stages match the transition from the relative safety of the nest chamber to the adversary world outside the nest , and back.     

Locomotor development in the Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea)

Juvenile animals often suffer from high levels of predation. Development of an effective and efficient locomotor system is therefore likely to be crucial towards ensuring their survival. However, our understanding of locomotor efficiency, at least in terms of energetic cost in young animals is poor. We performed this study as Svalbard rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta hyperborea must rapidly develop the ability to locomote prior to the onset of their first winter, during which conditions are extreme. To aid survival, adult ptarmigan deposit large winter fat stores, whilst at the same time males exhibit a reduced metabolic cost of locomotion. Sub-adult males, however, are unable to fully acquire fat stores during their first winter and the maturity of their locomotor systems is unknown. Here, we investigate the energetics and kinematics of terrestrial locomotion in sub-adult male birds using flow-through respirometry and high-speed video recordings, respectively. We demonstrate that in terms of running speed and metabolic cost, sub-adult ptarmigan develop a mature functioning locomotor system prior to the onset of winter. This research indicates that achieving a mature locomotor system allows young males to emerge from the winter with the ability to compete for territories and mates during the breeding season.     

Facultative terrestrial hand postures in an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and pongid evolution

An adult male orangutan at the Chicago Zoological Park utilizes various knuckle-walking hand postures in terrestrial bipedal-squatting and quadrupedal diagonal-sequence, diagonal-couplet gaits. A study was conducted in order to discern the circumstances surrounding the subject's terrestrial locomotor modes. It was found that various locomotor behaviors correlate with specific conditions of the substrate and the subject's motivation. Biomechanical properties of orangutan knuckle-walking are discussed in terms of their relevance for modelling hominoid phylogeny.     

Salinity,freshwater and agricultural water preferences of glass eels of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica collected in southern Japan

Water-choice trial experiments revealed that Anguilla japonica glass eels collected in southern Japan possess strong preferences for fresh water and agricultural water. Their locomotor activity and preference for fresh water were higher and stronger, respectively, in this study when compared to previous studies conducted at lower temperatures. These results suggest that their locomotor activity and preference for fresh water is influenced by water temperature. The attraction to agricultural water indicates their upstream migration and habitat selection could be influenced by agricultural water.     

Circadian locomotor rhythm masked by the female reproduction cycle in cockroaches

Blattella bisignata (Brunner) and B. germanica (L.) are oviparous cockroaches with cyclic reproductive behaviour, but in B. germanica only males show circadian rhythmicity of locomotion at 28°C and DD (constant darkness). In B. bisignata, males and virgin females cockroaches entrained by light–dark cycles show free‐running rhythmicity in DD, and most activities occur during the subjective night. Daily locomotor activities of virgin females show cyclic changes that coincided with ovarian development. Virgin females also exhibit calling behaviour during the subjective night, and this shows a free‐running rhythm. Male mate‐finding locomotion and female calling behaviour are under circadian control, so the timing for both behaviours is synchronized. However, most mated females do not show a locomotor free‐running rhythm under DD conditions. Our results indicate that only mated females could not express a circadian locomotor rhythm. Pregnancy reduces a female’s locomotory intensity and masks the expression of a circadian locomotor rhythm. We attribute the differences in circadian locomotory rhythms between these two species to their living environments and mate‐finding strategies.     

Circadian Locomotor Activity in the Larva and Adult Fall Armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae): Effect of Feeding with the Resistant Variety of Maize CML67

The circadian rhythms of locomotor activity were studied in larvae and adult Fall Armyworms, Spodoptera frugiperda, fed a nutritional diet (control) or a diet containing the maize variety CML67 (experimental). Activity was monitored using infrared-light crossings and rhythms were evaluated using actograms, average waveform, and X² periodograms. Results show that larvae grown on the experimental diet did not display conspicuous circadian rhythms in constant darkness before pupation and showed poor responses to light-dark cycles. Significant differences between the two groups were observed in their maximal activity and activity-rest ratios. Adults fed either diet displayed circadian rhythms of locomotor activity, however, differences were still found in their activity-rest ratios. Results obtained indicate that animals fed with diet containing the maize variety CLM67, have significant differences in the expression of circadian locomotor activity in larvae under constant darkness and in their responses to artificial light-dark conditions, suggesting that the maize variety CML67 may possess some active substance(s) that affect the maturation of the circadian system, controlling locomotor activity rhythms in larvae and adult armyworms.     

Take this broken tail and learn to jump: the ability to recover from reduced in‐air stability in tailless green anole lizards [Anolis carolinensis (Squamata: Dactyloidae)]

Locomotion is involved in various fitness‐related tasks, such as foraging, acquiring mates, and escaping from predators. Despite the importance of locomotor performance in determining fitness, animals often encounter situations in nature during which their locomotor performance is severely compromised. For animals that actively discard appendages as an anti‐predator strategy, the loss of appendages can cause a severe reduction in locomotor performance. However, whether animals can compensate for the impact on locomotor performance after autotomy is still unclear. A previous study has shown that tailless green anole lizards suffered from reduced in‐air stability during jumping. In this study, we monitored jump kinematics in three groups of Anolis carolinensis for five consecutive weeks to test two hypotheses: first, whether tailless green anoles can recover from reduced in‐air stability before their tails can regenerate; and second, whether gaining locomotor experience facilitates locomotor recovery. Our results revealed extensive individual variation in the ability to compensate for reduced in‐air stability. Some individuals did improve in‐air stability during the study period, whereas others showed no sign of improvement. Moreover, the acquisition of locomotor experience did not facilitate the recovery process. Our findings suggested that tail autotomy in green anoles probably imposes a long‐term fitness disadvantage. The utility of other compensatory mechanisms, such as altering behaviour, might play a role in natural populations to minimize the impact of autotomy on individual fitness. Our findings also shed light on the independent evolutionary losses of the ability to autotomize within lizards. Comparative studies which test whether species that autotomize more frequently/easily can better compensate for the effect of autotomy would be a fruitful direction of future research. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 107 , 583–592.     

Possible Evidence for Shift Work Schedules in the Media Workers of the Ant Species Camponotus compressus

The locomotor activity rhythm of the media workers of the ant species Camponotus compressus was monitored under constant conditions of the laboratory to understand the role of circadian clocks in social organization. The locomotor activity rhythm of most ants entrained to a 24 h light/dark (12:12 h; LD) cycle and free-ran under constant darkness (DD) with circadian periodicities. Under entrained conditions about 75% of media workers displayed nocturnal activity patterns, and the rest showed diurnal activity patterns. In free-running conditions these ants displayed three types of activity patterns (turn-around). The free-running period (τ) of the locomotor activity rhythm of some ants (10 out of 21) showed period lengthening, and those of a few (6 out of 21) showed period shortening, whereas the locomotor activity rhythm of the rest of the ants (5 out of 21) underwent large phase shifts. Interestingly, the pre-turn-around τ of those ants that showed nocturnal activity patterns during earlier LD entrainment was shorter than 24 h, which became greater than 24 h after 6–9 days of free-run in DD. On the other hand, the pre-turn-around τ of those ants, which exhibited diurnal patterns during earlier LD entrainment, was greater than 24 h, which became shorter than 24 h after 6–9 days of free-run in DD. The patterns of activity under LD cycles and the turn-around of activity patterns in DD regime suggest that these ants are shift workers in their respective colonies, and they probably use their circadian clocks for this purpose. Circadian plasticity thus appears to be a general strategy of the media workers of the ant species C. compressus to cope with the challenges arising due to their roles in the colony constantly exposed to a fluctuating environment.     

A three‐dimensional morphometric analysis of upper forelimb morphology in the enigmatic tapir (Perissodactyla: Tapirus) hints at subtle variations in locomotor ecology

Forelimb morphology is an indicator for terrestrial locomotor ecology. The limb morphology of the enigmatic tapir (Perissodactyla: Tapirus) has often been compared to that of basal perissodactyls, despite the lack of quantitative studies comparing forelimb variation in modern tapirs. Here, we present a quantitative assessment of tapir upper forelimb osteology using three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics to test whether the four modern tapir species are monomorphic in their forelimb skeleton. The shape of the upper forelimb bones across four species (T. indicus; T. bairdii; T. terrestris; T. pinchaque) was investigated. Bones were laser scanned to capture surface morphology and 3D landmark analysis was used to quantify shape. Discriminant function analyses were performed to reveal features which could be used for interspecific discrimination. Overall our results show that the appendicular skeleton contains notable interspecific differences. We demonstrate that upper forelimb bones can be used to discriminate between species (>91% accuracy), with the scapula proving the most diagnostic bone (100% accuracy). Features that most successfully discriminate between the four species include the placement of the cranial angle of the scapula, depth of the humeral condyle, and the caudal deflection of the olecranon. Previous studies comparing the limbs of T. indicus and T. terrestris are corroborated by our quantitative findings. Moreover, the mountain tapir T. pinchaque consistently exhibited the greatest divergence in morphology from the other three species. Despite previous studies describing tapirs as functionally mediportal in their locomotor style, we find osteological evidence suggesting a spectrum of locomotor adaptations in the tapirs. We conclude that modern tapir forelimbs are neither monomorphic nor are tapirs as conserved in their locomotor habits as previously described. J. Morphol. 277:1469–1485, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Do pygidial secretions of dung beetles have the potential to repel urban pest ants?

Various organisms emit malodorous secretions against competitors, and the potential use of these secretions in pest management should be investigated. For example, some ant species feed on similar resources as dung beetles, which might have led to counter chemical defences in dung beetles. We tested whether pygidial secretions of the dung beetle Canthon smaragdulus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) alter the locomotor behaviour of the exotic urban pest ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), specifically whether these secretions repel those ants. We also tested whether the disturbance in the locomotor behaviour of T. melanocephalum increases with the amount of pygidial secretion. We found that individual T. melanocephalum displayed changes in their locomotor behaviour when exposed to pygidial secretions of coupled dung beetles, single males, and single females. Additionally, the pygidial secretions from male and female dung beetles could repel ants. The change in the locomotor behaviour of T. melanocephalum increased with the amount of pygidial secretion. Our results suggest that the pygidial secretions of dung beetles have potential as a biological repellent of T. melanocephalum. Hence, pygidial secretions from dung beetles may be used in the future for the development of urban pest management strategies.     

Role of central and peripheral mechanisms in control of excitability of segmental motor centers in insects

The role of central and peripheral mechanisms in control of excitability of segmental centers providing different motor acts in insects of phylogenic close orders, but differing by the level of activity of their locomotor systems has been studied in the locust Locusta migratoria and the cockroach Periplaneta americana. It was shown that the level of relative excitability of segmental centers in cockroaches seemed to be much determined by the peripheral mechanisms, but not by the central mechanisms as in locust. It is suggested that control of activity of segmental locomotor centers from the higher parts of CNS can be realized by different ways: predominantly via excitatory or inhibitory influences on activity id some particular locomotor systems depending on their role and significance in motor behavior of these animals.Translated from Zhurnal Evolyutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii, Vol. 40, No. 6, 2004, pp. 508–513.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Gorelkin, Severina.To the 100-Anniversary of A. K. VoskresenskayaThis revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Towards a characterization of the locomotor activity rhythm of the desertic species Porcellio olivieri (Crustacea,Isopoda) from Gabes (South of Tunisia)

The locomotor activity rhythm of the isopod, Porcellio olivieri, was investigated in Gannouch site in the south of Tunisia. The rhythm was monitored under constant temperature in individual animals in winter under two simultaneous regimens: the light–dark (LD) cycle and the continuous darkness (DD). Results revealed that whatever regimens, actograms, and mean activity curves showed that specimens of P. olivieri concentrated their activity during the experimental and subjective night. The species exhibited a locomotor rhythm period significantly shorter under LD (T = 23h13 ± 0h44) than DD (τ = 24h28 ± 0h58). However, the locomotor activity rhythm was less stable and the individuals were significantly more active under entraining conditions than constant darkness. The activity pattern of this species will be discussed as an adaptative strategy to respond to environmental conditions.     

A stochastic locomotor control model for the nurse shark,ginglymostoma cirratum

Summary The locomotor behavior of the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is characterized by 17 variables (frequency and ratios of left, right, and total turns; their radians; straight paths (steps); distance travelled; and velocity) Within each of these variables there is an internal time dependency the structure of which was elaborated together with an improved statistical model predicting their behavior within 90% confidence limits. The model allows for the sensitive detection of subtle locomotor response to sensory stimulation as values of variables may exceed the established confidence limits within minutes after onset of the stimulus. The locomotor activity is well described by an autoregression time series model and can be predicted by only seven variables. Six of these form two independently operating clusters. The first one consists of: the number of right turns, the distance travelled, and the mean velocity; the second one of: the mean size of right turns, of left turns, and of all turns. The same clustering is obtained independently by a cluster analysis of cross-sections of the seven time series. It is apparent that, among a total of 17 locomotor variables, seven behave as individually independent agents, presumably controlled by seven separate and independent centers. The output of each center can only be predicted by its own behavior. In spite of the individual behavior of the seven variables, their internal structure is similar in important aspects which may result from control by a common command center. The shark locomotor model differs in important aspects from that previously constructed for the goldfish. The interdependence of the locomotor variables in both species may be related to the control mechanisms postulated by von Holst for the coordination of rhythmic fin movements in fishes. A locomotor control model for the nurse shark is proposed.