The relationship between distal trunk morphology and object grasping in the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana).

ABSTRACT:

Background

During reach-to-grasp movements, the human hand is preshaped depending on the properties of the object. Preshaping may result from learning, morphology, or motor control variability and can confer a selective advantage on that individual or species. This preshaping ability is known in several mammals (i.e., primates, carnivores and rodents). However, apart from the tongue preshaping of lizards and chameleons, little is known about preshaping of other grasping appendages. In particular, the elephant trunk, a muscular hydrostat, has impressive grasping skills and thus is commonly called a hand. Data on elephant trunk grasping strategies are scarce, and nothing is known about whether elephants preshape their trunk tip according to the properties of their food.

Met

SUBMITTER: Soppelsa J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8969868 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature