Locomotor adaptations

Question 1

What is meant by the term ambulatory? (base model)

Answer 1

o Plantigrade (big stable feet) or semi-digitigrade (rise slightly up onto their toes)
o Mobile, multipurpose joints (flexible joints capable of lots of different movements)
o Five digits (pentadactyl)
o Equal limb segments (radius, ulna, fibula are all roughly similar in length)
o Clavicle present

Question 2

What is meant by the term scansorial (climbing)?

Answer 2

o Plantigrade
o Long grasping feet (opposable hallux-big toe/pollux-thumb) (long feet long digits and an opposable thumb)
o Long limbs- elongated

Question 3

What is meant by the term fossorial (digging)?

Answer 3

o Low gear limbs, especially forelimbs (power rather than speed)
o Limbs short and inflexible (trading of flexibility for power)
o Clavicle short

Question 4

What is cursorialism adapted for?

Answer 4

adaption for efficient speed. Should be able to travel fast and far over open ground.

Question 5

What are the cursorial adaptations to be able to increase stride length?

Answer 5

1. ) Increase length of your limbs
2. ) Rotate scapula onto chest
3. ) Get bigger
4. ) Spinal flexibility
5. ) Gait

Question 6

What are cursorial adaptions to be able to increase stride rate?

Answer 6

1. )Use high gear muscles
2. )Add extra pivot points
3. ) Recycle elastic energy
4. )Lighten the distal limb (fusing, reducing # of digits, loose bone mass)

Question 7

State and explain the four different type of gaits

Answer 7

Symmetrical- this is where left and right feet mirror each other
Asymmetrical gaits- one foot leads and has a longer contact time
Walking- each foot is on the ground for more than half of the time
Running gaits- each foot is on the ground for less than half the time