Three‐dimensional CT examination of the forefoot and hindfoot of the hippopotamus and tapir during a semiaquatic walking

• DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12405
• Publication Date: 2018-10-15T02:35:51Z
• Authors: Hideki Endo; Masataka Yoshida; Truong Son Nguyen; Yuki Akiba; Masahiro Takeda; Kohei Kudo
• Keywords: Hippopotamus; Terrestrial locomotion

Semiaquatic walking has resulted in the evolution of functional and morphological changes various hoofed mammals, such as hippopotamus Brazilian tapir. The biomechanics skilful wetlands or at bottom a waterbody involve medio-lateral opening closing feet to effectively support stabilize body on soft ground reduce water resistance during recovery stroke, respectively. We demonstrate that tapir are mediated by adduction abduction most medial lateral phalanges from CT examination. axial toes, metacarpals metatarsals do not contribute width shape feet, unlike toes. suggest this semiaquatic motion is derived original terrestrial mode locomotion, contrast highly swimming using webs fins morphologically modified tail. From present data we locomotion evolved due acquisition adductor-abductor mobility digits, shown