The Effect of Substrate Unevenness and Irregularity on Locomotor Performance and Kinematics of Curly-Tailed Lizards
Date of Award
6-2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Chief Instructor
Philip J. Bergmann
Second Reader
John A. Baker
Third Reader
Deborah L. Robertson
Keywords
Biology, Biomechanics
Abstract
Uneven surfaces are ubiquitous in nature and animals must frequently move across them, yet their effects on locomotion are not well understood. I studied how surface unevenness and irregularity of substrates made of large particles affect the locomotor performance and kinematics of the terrestrial generalist sprinter, the Northern Curly-Tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus). I compared a flat surface (even), three sizes of spheres (regular but uneven surfaces), and three sizes of natural rocks (irregular and uneven surfaces). As the size of the particles increased, the unevenness of the surface increased. The lizards ran at similar speeds on all substrates, but compensated for different substrates with changes in kinematics. Substrate irregularity only affected hind limb retraction angle. Overall, I found that substrate unevenness affects kinematics but not performance and that unevenness matters more than irregularity.
Recommended Citation
Crockett, Marian E., "The Effect of Substrate Unevenness and Irregularity on Locomotor Performance and Kinematics of Curly-Tailed Lizards" (2017). Biology. 13.
https://commons.clarku.edu/biology_masters_papers/13