Locomotion in Nocturnal Prosimians

Abstract

Notes taken on dissertation notebook. All limbs same length = ideal for quadrupedalism but this efficiency can also be reached by animals w/ longer legs by reducing hindlimb lenght by flexion and placing sole flat on substrate and/or increasing forelimb length by moving scapula fore and aft. Cheirogalids and Otolemur do this. Another solution to bridging is to elongate trunk even if short limbs like lorises. Permanentely flexed joints advantages: 1) can accelerat very quickly without first having to flex the joints, 2) ability to accomodate locomotion to depressions in the substrate w/out lowering the body mass 3) center of gravity close to substrate. Elongation of hindlimbs is not necessary in large animals as they already possess enough acceleration distance. Mechanism by which leapers rotate mid air (tails, changing shape), etc. From mechanical point of view slow climbing nearly identical to walking and VC should be taken away from VCL and lumped w/vertical climbing.