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Quadrupedal Locomotion of Saimiri boliviensis: A Comparison of Field and Laboratory-based Kinematic Data

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Primate Locomotion

Part of the book series: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects ((DIPR))

Abstract

As a result of a plethora of lab-based studies focusing on primate quadrupedalism, it is well known that compared to most other mammals, primates exhibit distinctive quadrupedal kinematics when moving on artificial “terrestrial” or “arboreal” substrates. However, we have little knowledge of how quadrupedal kinematics are impacted by the complexity of natural habitats, in which pathways may be obstructed, unstable, or vary dramatically in size, orientation, shape, or texture. In this study, we compared data on the quadrupedal kinematics of Saimiri boliviensis in both laboratory and field settings by comparing kinematic responses across laboratory substrates (pole, floor) and natural substrates (branches that varied in size and orientation). Field results indicate that Saimiri boliviensis adjusted to larger branches by increasing limb duty factors, but used a wide variety of gait types (as measured by limb phase) across all branch sizes and orientations, rather than fine tuning limb phase to these aspects of substrate. Lab poles elicited similar average limb phases and duty factors, but reduced gait flexibility compared to branches. Lab studies would benefit from greater complexity of simulated arboreal substrates, and field studies should strive to measure numerous substrate characteristics to most effectively test hypotheses about the adaptive nature of primate locomotion.

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Abbreviations

DS:

diagonal sequence

DSDC:

diagonal-sequence, diagonal-couplets

LS:

lateral sequence

LSDC:

lateral-sequence, diagonal-couplets

LSLC:

lateral-sequence, lateral-couplets

p :

probability level

r :

Pearson product-moment correlation

rho (ρ) :

Spearman rank-order correlation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA

    Liza J. Shapiro

Authors
  1. Liza J. Shapiro
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  2. Jesse W. Young
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  3. Art Souther
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Correspondence to Liza J. Shapiro .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerp, B-2610, Belgium

    Kristiaan D'Août

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Anatomy, Catholic University Leuven, KULAK, Belgium

    Evie E. Vereecke

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Shapiro, L.J., Young, J.W., Souther, A. (2011). Quadrupedal Locomotion of Saimiri boliviensis: A Comparison of Field and Laboratory-based Kinematic Data. In: D'Août, K., Vereecke, E. (eds) Primate Locomotion. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1420-0_17

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