PRIMATE LIMB CONFORMATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR MECHANICAL ENERGY CONSERVATION*

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn order to understand the energy implications of primate limb conformation, the biomechanics of swing phase and the vertical movements of limb center of gravity were examined in the arboreal rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and the semi-terrestrial long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The objective was to better understand the potential variation in locomotor adaptations in these two macaque species within different ecological environments. In particular, the objective of this study was to identify the implications that these movements have on the internal energy costs of locomotion. I show that the biomechanics of swing phase for these two species have important effects on their limb center of gravity, although they may have similar limb segment mass distributions. This study suggests that mechanical energy conservation during swing phase is important in mammalian locomotion.