Small vertebrates running on uneven terrain: a biomechanical study of two differently specialised lacertid lizards.

ABSTRACT: While running, small animals frequently encounter large terrain variations relative to their body size, therefore, terrain variations impose important functional demands on small animals. Nonetheless, we have previously observed in lizards that running specialists can maintain a surprisingly good running performance on very uneven terrains. The relatively large terrain variations are offset by their capacity for leg adjustability that ensures a 'smooth ride' of the centre of mass (CoM). The question as to how the effect of an uneven terrain on running performance and locomotor costs differs between species exhibiting diverse body build and locomotor specializations remains. We hypothesise that specialized runners with long hind limbs can cross uneven terrain more efficiently than specializ

SUBMITTER: Druelle F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6856151 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature