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Variation in the leaping of lemurs
Author(s) -
Terranova Carl J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1098-2345
pISSN - 0275-2565
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2345(1996)40:2<145::aid-ajp3>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - lemur , arboreal locomotion , kinematics , context (archaeology) , lemur catta , jumping , physical medicine and rehabilitation , biology , ecology , primate , medicine , physics , habitat , paleontology , physiology , classical mechanics
Locomotor diversity among lemurids has been ignored by placing most species into a category of arboreal quadrupeds. Recent field studies have shown that leaping behaviors comprise a relatively large amount of their travel. In this contribution I detail a study of captive lemurs locomoting on a designed support network and/or in outdoor enclosures. Associations between support context, leaping behaviors, and landing kinematics are detailed for Hapalemur griseus, Eulemur rubriventer, Eulemur fulvus, Eulemur mongoz , and Varecia variegata . In‐air body position, including the amount and location of trunk flexion, coupled with the extent of shoulder and hip flexion dictates limb use at landing. Limb strike pattern when landing onto the same support type varies interspecifically. The kinematic variation in leaping behaviors may well have implications for functional analyses of the postcranium. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.