Video: Octopuses have unique way to control their 'odd' forms
Researchers analyzed octopus arm coordination in crawling and found that the animals have a unique motor control strategy to match their
Animal Locomotion
Articles tagged with Animal Locomotion
University of Tennessee study: Crocodiles just wanna have fun, too
A University of Tennessee study finds crocodiles engage in play-like behavior, including locomotor play, play with objects and social play. They have been observed playing with other animals and forming strong bonds with humans.
Why some geckos lose their ability to stick to surfaces
A UC Riverside study found that geckos without an adhesive system evolved faster in terms of morphology and locomotion. This suggests that losing adaptations can be beneficial for the species, allowing it to occupy a new niche.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2015
Has car manufacturer taken the corner too fast with the boxfish design?
Researchers at the University of Groningen have resolved the 'boxfish swimming paradox' by showing that the fish's triangular shape and body design actually promote manoeuvrability. The study, published in the online journal Interface, challenges a previous American research group's claims about the magical properties of boxfish ridges.
An eel-lectrifying future for autonomous underwater robots
Researchers have developed a robotic fish prototype with advanced flexibility, inspired by Anguilliform fish. The device can swim forward, backward, and turn using artificial intelligence and torques applied to its joints.
These roos were 'made' for walking, study suggests of extinct enigmas
Researchers found sthenurine kangaroos, an extinct family, had a sturdy spine and broad pelvis, ideal for weight-bearing on one leg. This contradicts the modern kangaroo's hopping habit, suggesting bipedal walking as their slow-speed locomotion.
What goes up must come down
Biologists at UC Riverside found that geckos reverse hind foot position to use the adhesive system as a brake and stabilizer when moving downhill. The study, published in Biology Letters, sheds light on gecko locomotion on non-level terrain and has applications in robotics.
Walking fish reveal how our ancestors evolved onto land
Researchers at McGill University studied a living fish, Polypterus, to understand the evolution of tetrapods. The fish showed significant anatomical changes, including modified fins and increased support during walking.
Salmon forced to 'sprint' less likely to survive migration
New research by University of British Columbia scientists found that sockeye salmon forced to 'sprint' through fast-moving waters are more likely to die during their upstream migration. The study, published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, suggests that excessive burst swimming creates stress and impairs survival.
Ancient arachnid brought back to life
Researchers used exceptionally preserved fossils and computer graphics to recreate the most likely walking gait of a 410-million-year-old arachnid. The study, published in the Journal of Paleontology, provides new insights into the evolution of early land animals.
New study involving CU-Boulder tells the tale of a kangaroo's tail
A new study involving CU-Boulder reveals that red kangaroos use their tails as a powerful fifth leg to support and propel motion while grazing on all fours. The study, published in Biology Letters, shows that the kangaroo tail performs as much mechanical work as one of its legs.
How do ants get around? Ultra-sensitive machines measure their every step…
Researchers developed an elastic polycarbonate material to produce a miniature force plate, enabling forces to be measured in the micro-Newton range. Ants were found to adopt a 'grounded running' strategy, increasing stride length and number of steps to improve stability at higher speeds.
Fish-eating spiders discovered around the world
Research reveals eight spider families preying on fish worldwide, with diverse species adapting to aquatic environments to catch fish even larger than themselves. Semi-aquatic spiders possess powerful neurotoxins and enzymes to kill and digest their prey.
Balancing strategy to lateral impact in a rat Rattus norregicus
Researchers studied a rat's balancing strategy to lateral impact, finding it bends flexible body to absorb energy and resists force through side-sway. The study reveals key mechanisms for animal stability during locomotion and inspires improvements in bionic robots.
Salk scientists reveal circuitry of fundamental motor circuit
Researchers identified key neurons in the spinal cord responsible for controlling rhythmic walking movements. V2b interneurons were found to be essential for flexor-extensor alternation, a fundamental component of locomotion.
Motion and muscles don't always work in lockstep, researchers find in surprising new study
A study on wild green anole lizards reveals that the link between muscle function and movement is more complicated than previously thought. The researchers found that changes in motion do not always correspond to changes in muscle activity, leading to new questions about animal ecology, evolution, and adaptation.
A fish that pushes in the wrong direction solves a mystery of animal locomotion
Researchers discovered that fish use a counterintuitive fin arrangement to increase both stability and maneuverability. By analyzing slow-motion videos and mathematical models, the team found that the opposing forces generated by the fin movements create stabilizing forces while improving velocity change.
SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 7, 2013
Scientists study 'fishy' behavior to solve an animal locomotion mystery
A research team led by Johns Hopkins engineers discovered that animals use opposing forces in their movements to increase both stability and maneuverability. This biomimetic approach is found in fish, hummingbirds, and bees, and could simplify designs for small robots that fly, swim, or move on mechanical legs.
SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2013
Scientists digitally reconstruct giant steps taken by dinosaurs for the first time
Researchers from the University of Manchester successfully recreated the walking and running movements of Argentinosaurus using computer simulations. The study provides new insights into the dinosaur's locomotion ability, dispelling previous suggestions that it was inflated in size.
Treadmill training after spinal cord injury promotes recovery when inflammation is controlled
Researchers found that controlling inflammation in the lower spinal cord is critical to the success of treadmill training after a spinal cord injury. Early training with minimal inflammation led to significant improvements in walking, lasting up to 42 days, while late training failed to produce similar results.
Rubber slat mats could improve animal well-being
Researchers found that pregnant sows housed on rubber slat mats had a reduced risk of swelling and wounds on the limbs, but an increased risk of sole and heel lesions. The study suggests that rubber slat mats could improve animal well-being by reducing locomotory problems in swine.
The evolution of fins to limbs in the land invasion race
Researchers analyzed terrestrial locomotion in tiger salamanders and mudskipper fish, finding that pectoral fins experience more medial forces than forelimbs. This suggests that early amphibious fish with fins may not have been capable of supporting their weight on land.
Different neuronal groups govern right-left alternation when walking
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified two genetically-defined groups of nerve cells in the spinal cord that control limb alternation at different speeds of locomotion. The study found that these cell populations are essential for normal gait, and their removal disrupts the animals' ability to walk.
Northwestern researchers examine mechanical bases for the emergence of undulatory swimmers
The study reveals that species with low muscle activation frequency and high body stiffness are most successful in swimming. The researchers found the optimal values for each property, including a predicted stiffness similar to that of undulatory swimmers with a backbone.
Detour ahead: Cities, farms reroute animals seeking cooler climes
Researchers found that the southeastern US region could experience heavier animal movements in response to a warming climate, with estimates up to 2.5 times higher than average species movement across North and South America. The study identified natural corridors and human-made barriers that will affect animal migration patterns.
A robot that runs like a cat
The 'cheetah-cub robot' boasts excellent auto-stabilization characteristics and can run nearly seven times its body length in one second. Its design is based on the meticulous observation of feline leg morphology, featuring springs to reproduce tendons and actuators to replace muscles.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·DateJun 17, 2013
Cavemen were better at drawing animals than modern artists
Researchers found that prehistoric artwork showed a significantly lower rate of incorrect leg positioning compared to modern art, highlighting the accuracy of cavemen's animal depictions.
Turning down the dial: Ocean energy development with less sound
Scientists developed the first laboratory system to evaluate pile driving's effect on fish, finding individual blows above a certain sound level can irreparably harm them. The recommended sound threshold aims to minimize harm to marine animals while permitting ocean development.
Hitch-hiking with birds for life
Studies by University of Gothenburg researcher Daniel Gustafsson reveal that body lice can spread more easily than wing lice, defying expectations. Genetic data shows that almost identical body lice are found on most sandpipers worldwide, highlighting the importance of migration patterns and host bird size.
Skin deep
Researchers from Harvard University found that shark skin's denticles create a low-pressure zone that enhances propulsion, reducing drag. Swimsuits with similar surface properties have no effect on swim speed.
Snakes improve search-and-rescue robots
A new search-and-rescue robot, Scalybot 2, is designed to use less energy and navigate tight spaces like snakes. The robot replicates rectilinear locomotion, a efficient movement method that allows snakes to crawl through crevices with minimal energy expenditure.
A small step for lungfish, a big step for the evolution of walking
African lungfish demonstrates unique walking behavior using its thin pelvic limbs, propelling itself forward and lifting its body off the bottom surface. This discovery suggests that many developments necessary for the transition from water to land could have occurred in lobe-finned ancestors of the lungfish long before early tetrapods.
SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 12, 2011
Pristine reptile fossil holds new information about aquatic adaptations
A newly discovered fossil of a mosasaur, with well-preserved soft tissue, is providing scientists with unique insights into the biology of an extinct marine lizard. The study found that the mosasaur was able to minimize its frictional drag in the water and relied on its tail for propulsion.
University of Tennessee microbiologist to develop biofilter to clean-up toxic water
A University of Tennessee microbiologist is working on a biofilter to remove harmful algal toxins from water. The project aims to reduce the risk of toxins passing into water distribution systems and restore safe water resources.
How early reptiles moved
Researchers are studying early reptiles' movement using a fast X-ray video system and comparing it with modern animals. The goal is to create animated studies of the early saurians and gain insights into their movements.
New UF study shows some sharks follow 'mental map' to navigate seas
Researchers tracked three shark species and found tiger and thresher sharks can swim directly to targeted locations, suggesting a 'mental map' of the area. The study suggests these animals use magnetic fields as landmarks to navigate.
Shark tracking reveals impressive feats of navigation
Researchers found that tiger sharks can navigate long distances using directed walks, while thresher sharks also exhibit this behavior. Blacktip reef sharks, on the other hand, swim randomly within their small home ranges.
Roaches inspire robotics
Researchers at Tel Aviv University are studying the neurological functioning of cockroaches to design more efficient robots with compact builds. The insects' stable tripod gate movement and ability to adapt to terrain inspire robotics engineers to create faster and more robust robots for future space exploration.
Barrow TRPV1 research highlighted in Journal of Neuroscience
A study led by Dr. Andrej Romanovsky found that mice with TRPV1-deficient receptors exhibited higher locomotor activity, especially during the day, suggesting a suppressive effect of TRPV1 on physical movement.
Unique means of animal locomotion reported for first time
Biologists at Tufts University have discovered a novel 'two-body' system of locomotion in the crawling tobacco hawkmoth caterpillar, where its gut moves independently of the surrounding body wall. This finding may offer valuable insights for designing soft-bodied robots and re-examining the role of soft tissues in human biomechanics.
For speediest athletes, it's all in the center of gravity
Researchers argue that differences in body types among blacks and whites, including the location of their center of gravity, contribute to racial disparities in athletic performance. The study found black sprinters are 1.5% faster than whites due to a higher center of gravity.
SourceDuke University·JournalInternational Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics·DateJul 12, 2010
Feathered friends: Ostriches provide clues to dinosaur movement
Research suggests that ostriches' wing-use and hindlimb function may help reconstruct locomotor techniques in bipedal dinosaurs. The study found that ostriches efficiently channel aerodynamic forces during rapid breaking, turning, and zigzag manoeuvres.
Reinventing the wheel -- naturally
A Duke University engineer, Adrian Bejan, argues that animal movement is like a natural wheel, distributing stresses uniformly. As animals evolve to move better, they develop fewer legs, allowing them to rise higher with each stride and increase their speed.
Parallel brainstem circuit discovery suggests new path in Parkinson's research
Researchers identified a previously unknown brainstem pathway in vertebrates, which stimulates neural activity and locomotion. This finding suggests new research directions for treating Parkinson's disease, particularly targeting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Flightless mosquitoes developed to help control dengue fever
A new strain of mosquitoes, where females cannot fly, may help curb the spread of dengue fever. The genetic approach is expected to reduce or eliminate disease transmission in six to nine months.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2010
Are high speed elephants running or walking?
Researchers measure forces exerted on elephants to determine their movement patterns, finding that high-speed elephants exhibit characteristics of both running and walking. The study reveals that elephants' cost of transport is low due to efficient energy conversion, with a step frequency higher than expected.
Scientists shed new light on walking
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have created a genetically modified mouse that can walk when exposed to blue light. The study provides insight into the neural control of locomotion and has potential implications for treating spinal cord injuries.
Robot fish could monitor water quality
Scientists at Michigan State University are developing robotic fish that use advanced materials to swim like fish and monitor water quality. The robots will carry sensors recording temperature, dissolved oxygen, pollutants, and harmful algae, providing a high spatial and temporal resolution of data.
Why winning athletes are getting bigger
A new analysis by Duke University engineers found that elite athletes are getting bigger and faster, with the fastest swimmers growing 4.5 inches and the swiftest runners growing 6.4 inches taller since 1900. This trend can be predicted by the constructal theory of design in nature.
Study reveals sandfish tucks legs and swims like a snake through desert sand
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology studied sandfish locomotion, finding they use wave motion to propel themselves through granular media. The animals' speed depends only on wave frequency, not density.
Discovery of a water snake that startles fish in a way that makes them flee into its jaws
A water snake from South East Asia has developed an unusual hunting technique that startles fish into fleeing towards its head. The snake uses sound waves to trigger the fish's 'C-start' response, driving them to swim directly into its jaws.
How does a dog walk? Surprisingly, many of us don't really know
A recent study published in Current Biology found that anatomists and others incorrectly depict quadruped walking in half of their depictions. The correct gait involves alternating legs, with animals differing only in timing. This mistake is often due to carelessness or reliance on incorrect models.
Angular observation of joints of geckos moving on horizontal and vertical surfaces
The study analyzed the angular rotation of gecko joints during locomotion on horizontal surfaces, revealing spatio-temporal rotation trajectories. It also compared the movement patterns of geckos on vertical walls, showing differences in joint angles and limb phases.
A fine balance
V3 neurons play a vital role in maintaining balance between both sides of the body, ensuring robust stepping rhythms. The discovery provides an important milestone in understanding neural circuitry that coordinates walking movements.
Elephant legs are much bendier than Shakespeare thought
Research reveals that elephant legs are much bendier than Shakespeare's depiction, with joints flexing significantly during locomotion. Studies also show that the animals' mobility range is comparable to that of trotting horses.
Stroke survivors walk better after human-assisted rehab
A recent study found that walking therapy for stroke survivors is significantly more effective when conducted by a physical therapist, improving walking speed and symmetry. Human-assisted interventions allow for patient error and harder work, leading to better outcomes.
New fish has a face even Dale Chihuly could love
A newly found fish in Indonesian waters has sparked excitement among scientists due to its unique appearance and possible connection to an unknown family. The fish, resembling a glass sculpture, can burrow into crevices with its soft and pliable body, and its eyes appear to be directed forward.
Reconstructing the biology of extinct species: A new approach
A research team has discovered a fundamental adaptive mechanism linking an animal's locomotion to its sensory systems. The study found that the dimensions of the three semicircular canals in the inner ear are linked to the type of movement produced by an animal's limbs.
'Electric' fish shed light on ways the brain directs movement
Using tropical fish, researchers discovered the brain processes sensory information to control movement. The study sheds light on the communication between the brain and body, potentially contributing to medical advances in humans.
Trotting with emus to walk with dinosaurs
Researchers used emus to decipher dinosaur tracks at the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite in Wyoming. The birds' behavior revealed that dinosaurs likely stopped and observed their environment while walking, resolving a mysterious 'crossing over' track pattern.