Publications by authors named "Nicholas D Flaim"
Center of mass (COM) mechanics, often used as an energetic proxy during locomotion, has primarily focused on level movement and hardly explores climbing scenarios. This study examines three-dimensional COM movements across five phylogenetically distinct species to test theoretical expectations of climbing costs, explore how interspecific variation (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcross tetrapods, the proportional lengths of the manual and pedal phalanges are highly constrained, following a generalized blueprint of shortening in a proximodistal gradient. Despite this, several lineages of both mammals (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrachiation is a form of suspensory locomotion observed only in Primates. The non-human hominoids (e.g.
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- In this study, researchers examined how Australian green tree frogs (Ranoidea caerulea) move both horizontally and vertically, focusing on their climbing mechanics and energy use.
- The frogs exhibited slow, careful movements while climbing, relying on both their forelimbs and hindlimbs for propulsion, while horizontal walking involved different dynamics with a braking forelimb.
- Findings suggest that the frogs' climbing efficiency aligns closely with theoretical predictions, showing only slightly higher energy costs than the minimum required, which indicates effective locomotion despite the mechanical challenges of climbing.
No vertebrate, living or extinct, is known to have possessed an odd number of limbs. Despite this 'forbidden phenotype', gaits that use odd numbers of limbs (e.g.
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