Following recent advances in bioimaging, high-resolution 3D models of biological structures are now generated rapidly and at low-cost. To use this data to address evolutionary ecological questions, an array tools has been developed conduct shape analysis quantify topographic complexity. Here we focus particularly on techniques applied irregular-shaped objects lacking clear homologous landmarks, propose a new 'alpha-shapes' method for quantifying complexity.We apply alpha-shapes complexity...

In the future with climate change, we expect more forest and tree damage due to increasing strength changing trajectories of tropical cyclones (TCs). However, date, have limited information estimate likely levels, nobody has ever measured exactly how trees behave mechanically during a TC. 2018, category-5 TC destroyed in our ongoing research plots, which were measuring movement wind speed two different spacing plots. We found damaged only wider spaced plot. Here, present dynamically respond...

Most primates are able to move with equal facility on the ground and in trees, but most use same quadrupedal gaits both environments. A few specialized primates, however, a suspensory or leaping mode of locomotion when trees bipedal gait while ground. This is rare behavioral pattern among mammals, extent which these converge constrained by anatomical neurological adaptations associated arboreal poorly understood. Sifakas (Propithecus), living only Madagascar, highly committed vertical...

Bird necks display unparalleled levels of morphological diversity compared to other vertebrates, yet it is unclear what factors have structured this variation. Using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics and multivariate statistics, we show that the avian cervical column a hierarchical morpho-functional appendage, with varying magnitudes ecologically driven osteological variation at different scales organization. Contrary expectations given widely ecological functions in species, find...

Abstract Background Trimming is critical for a functioning equine hoof. Pressure distribution provides information on loading; however, the effects of trimming pressure lacking. Objectives To describe changes fore feet following trimming. Study design Cross‐sectional cohort study. Methods Fifty sound horses were recruited. Eighteen external hoof measures dorsal, lateral, medial and solar aspects obtained before after from 94 feet. Horses walked over mat maps surface created. Percentage...

Background/Objectives: A cam-driven hydraulic prosthetic ankle was designed to overcome the weaknesses of commercial prostheses and research prototypes, which largely fail mimic energy-recycling behaviour an intact ankle, resulting in poor walking performance for lower-limb prosthesis users. Methods: This novel device exploits miniature hydraulics capture negative work performed during stance, prior push-off, a accumulator, return positive push-off forward body propulsion. Two cams are used...

The link between form and function is key to understanding the evolution of unique and/or extreme morphologies. Amblypygids, or whip spiders, are arachnids that often have highly elongated spined pedipalps. These limbs used strike at, secure, prey before processing by chelicerae. Amblypygi pedipalps multifunctional, however, being in courtship contest, vary greatly species. Increased pedipalp length may improve performance during capture, but could also be influenced factors including...

Abstract Postural and walking instabilities contribute to falls in older adults. Given that shoes affect human locomotor stability visual, cognitive somatosensory systems deteriorate during aging, we aimed to: (1) compare the effects of footwear type on mobility persons with a history falls, (2) determine whether effect is altered by absence visual input or an additional load. Thirty participants performed standing trials three conditions, i.e. conventional shoes, minimal barefoot. The...

Abstract Comparisons of 3D shapes have recently been applied to diverse anatomical structures using landmarking techniques. However, discerning evolutionary patterns can be challenging for lacking homologous landmarks. We used alpha shape analyses quantify vaginal complexity in 40 marine mammal specimens including cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians. explored phylogenetic signal the potential roles natural sexual selection on evolution. Complexity scores were consistent with qualitative...

Correlations between mating system and various aspects of genital anatomy suggest a strong influence sexual selection on morphology. We test the generality by examining whether primate taxa in which there might be enhanced (those with multi-male systems) possess, as expected, relatively more spinous penises than do other systems. As most prosimians, but few anthropoids (monkeys apes), possess penile spines, because predominant systems two differ, taxonomic constraints are taken into account....

Wind tunnel tests conducted on a model based the long-eared bat Plecotus auritus indicated that positioning of tail membrane (uropatagium) can significantly influence flight control. Adjusting position by increasing angle legs ventrally relative to body has two-fold effect; leg-induced wing camber (i.e., locally increased inner surface) and attack membrane. We also used our examine effects flying with without For leg lift, drag pitching moment (nose-down) produced. However, removing reduced...

Body mass is a fundamental physical property of an individual and has enormous bearing upon ecology physiology. Generating reliable estimates for body therefore necessary step in many palaeontological studies. Whilst early reconstructions extinct species relied isolated skeletal elements, volumetric techniques are increasingly applied to fossils when completeness allows. We apply new ‘alpha shapes’ ( α -shapes) algorithm estimation quadrupedal mammals. -shapes defined by: (i) the underlying...

The transition from hand-held to hafted tool technology marked a significant shift in conceptualizing the construction and function of tools. Among other benefits, hafting is thought have given users biomechanical physiological advantage undertaking basic subsistence tasks compared with It assumed that addition handle improved (bio)mechanical properties upper limb by offering greater amounts leverage, force precision. This controlled laboratory study compares kinematics, electromyography...

Walking surfaces vary in complexity and are known to affect stability fall risk whilst walking. However, existing studies define through descriptions only.This study used a multimethod approach measure surface order try characterise with respect locomotor stability.We assessed how physical measurements of walking compared participant's perceptual ratings the effect on stability. Physical included local slope measures from themselves shape measured using generated models. Perceptual...

Most studies relating bat morphology to flight ecology have concentrated on the wing membrane. Here, canonical variance analysis showed that ear and tail morphologies of bats also strongly relate foraging strategy, which in turn is correlated with style. Variations membrane are likely be a trade-off between increases mechanical cost improvements performance. Flying large ears potentially energetically expensive, particularly at high speeds. Large ears, therefore, only affordable for slow...

Most research investigating the connection between walking and visual behaviour has assessed only eye movements (not head orientation) in respect to locomotion over smooth surfaces a laboratory. This is unlikely reflect gaze changes found complex experienced real world, especially given that have rarely been simultaneously.How does (eye head) angle gait speed change when of different complexity?In this exploratory study, we used mobile tracker monitor inertia measurement unit sensors (IMUs)...

Peripheral vision often deteriorates with age, disrupting our ability to maintain normal locomotion. Laboratory based studies have shown that lower visual field loss, in particular, is associated changes gaze and gait behaviour whilst walking this, turn, increases the risk of falling elderly. Separately, behaviours change fall when over complex surfaces. It seems probable, but has not yet been established, these challenges stability interact. How does loss affect on a variety surfaces...

The baculum (os penis) is a mineralized bone within the glans of mammalian penis and one most morphologically diverse structures in mammal skeleton. Recent experimental work provides compelling evidence for sexual selection shaping baculum, yet functional mechanism by which this occurs remains unknown. Previous studies have tested biomechanical hypotheses role based on simple metrics such as length diameter, ignoring wealth additional shape complexity present. For first time, to our...

Abstract Understanding how animals move within their environment is a burgeoning field of research. Despite this, relatively basic data, such as the locomotor speeds that choose to walk at in wild, are sparse. If with dynamic similarity, they will equal dimensionless speeds, represented by Froude number (Fr). Fr may be interpreted from simple limb kinematics obtained video data. Here, using Internet videos, were measured 112 bird and mammal species weighing between 0.61 5400 kg. This novel...

The baculum is an enigmatic bone within the mammalian glans penis, and driving forces behind its often bizarre shape have captivated evolutionary biologists for over a century. Hypotheses function of include aiding in intromission, stimulating females assisting with prolonged mating. Previous attempts to test these hypotheses focused on gross size failed reach consensus. We conducted three-dimensional imaging apply new method quantify complexity carnivoran baculum. show that socially...

Wings are the most obvious adaptation bats have for powered flight and differences in wing morphology known to correlate with behaviour. However, function(s) of ancillary structures such as ears tail, which may also play an important role during flight, less well understood. Here we constructed a simplified model bat body based upon morphological measurements brown long-eared (Plecotus auritus) examine aerodynamic implications flying large ears. The forces moments produced by were measured...

The jump performance of five insectivorous bat species (Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis blythii, capaccinii, myotis and Rhinolophus blasii) was filmed using a high-speed camera. All study bats jumped similar technique, with the wing musculature providing force. off wrist joint their wings, typically feet already ground. Contrary to expectations, did not correlate ecology instead strongly determined by body size. In general, larger produced more force, left ground at higher speeds than...