Three toes and three modes: Dynamics of terrestrial, suspensory, and vertical locomotion in brown‐throated three‐toed sloths (Bradypodidae, Xenarthra)

Author:

Young Melody W.1ORCID,McKamy Andrew J.2,Dickinson Edwin1ORCID,Yarbro Johnathan3ORCID,Ragupathi Ashwin4ORCID,Guru Navjot4ORCID,Avey‐Arroyo Judy A.5,Butcher Michael T.2ORCID,Granatosky Michael C.16ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Anatomy New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury New York USA

2. Department of Biological Sciences Youngstown State University Youngstown Ohio USA

3. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Jonesboro Arkansas USA

4. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury New York USA

5. The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica Penshurst Limon Costa Rica

6. Center for Biomedical Innovation New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury New York USA

Abstract

AbstractLiving sloths exhibit numerous anatomical specializations towards inverted quadrupedalism, however, previous studies have noted a more varied locomotor repertoire than previously anticipated. In this study, we present spatiotemporal gait characteristics and triaxial kinetic data from the brown‐throated three‐toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) across three locomotor modes: terrestrial quadrupedal “crawling”, suspensory walking, and vertical climbing. Compared to quadrupedal crawling and suspensory walking, B. variegatus adopted longer contact times and stride durations, larger duty factors, and greater speed during vertical climbing. Net fore‐aft impulses were significantly greater during vertical climbing in both limb pairs than in quadrupedal crawling and suspensory walking. Functionally, during quadrupedal crawling and vertical climbing, both limb pairs served propulsive roles, while differentiation between a propulsive forelimb and braking hindlimb was observed during suspension. Net tangential forces differentiated vertical climbing kinetics from the other modes of locomotion, with the introduction of bidirectional pulling and pushing forces in the forelimb and hindlimb, respectively. The net mediolateral impulses were similar in vertical climbing and quadrupedal crawling as both limb pairs directed forces in one direction, whereas during suspensory walking, the laterally dominant forelimb was opposed by the medially dominant hindlimb. In total, this study provides novel data on the diverse locomotor dynamics in a slow‐moving arboreal tetrapod and posits new testable hypotheses about the neuroplasticity and ease of transitioning between locomotor behaviors. The strikingly similar kinetic profiles of quadrupedal crawling and suspensory walking compared to vertical climbing suggest shared neuromuscular and mechanical demands between these mirrored locomotor modes.

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Genetics,Molecular Biology,Animal Science and Zoology,Physiology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Reference77 articles.

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