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Consequences of abiotic and biotic factors on limbless locomotion

Gerald, Gary Wayne, II
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1218208497

Abstract Details

2008, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Zoology.
Snakes have the ability to move in a variety of ways depending on the habitat in which they are moving. All of these modes require some sort of lateral bending of the elongate body to generate the required force necessary for propulsion. However, the biomechanical mechanisms of each mode of limbless movement differ substantially among each other. Despite the potential importance of using multiple modes of movement in different ecological situations, we know very little about the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on multiple locomotor modes in these animals. The goal of this dissertation was to examine how temperature, habitat usage, and morphology affect four of the most common modes of limbless locomotion (lateral undulation, concertina, swimming, and arboreal) and shed light on the question of what ecological conditions most likely contributed to limb reduction in the early snake ancestor. The first chapter assessed the influence of temperature on different modes of locomotion. Decreasing temperature limits performance of each mode differently because of differences in the underlying physiological mechanisms governing each mode. The second chapter closely examined the combined effects of temperature and perch diameter on the speed and balance of limbless arboreal locomotion. Movement on perches was greatly limited by temperature, but not by decreasing perch diameter suggesting that snakes have a size-relative advantage compared to lizards when moving on narrow perches. The final chapter deals with assessing the relationships among microhabitat use, morphology, and locomotor performance of various modes. I found that species tend to perform better during modes they use most often in nature and perform more poorly during rarely-used modes suggesting that snakes do possess adaptations to enhance movement in preferred habitats. Moreover, morphological variables (mass, length, shape) significantly influenced each locomotor mode in somewhat similar ways. As a result, performance across various modes was either positively or not related to each other in most instances. My results suggest that morphological and physiological adaptations that promote movement via different modes do not conflict suggesting that a limbless body is beneficial in a number of different ecological situations.
Dennis Claussen, L (Advisor)
Alan Cady (Committee Member)
Nancy Solomon (Committee Member)
Phyllis Callahan (Committee Member)
Robert Schaefer (Committee Member)
128 p.
Ecology; Zoology
snakes; temperature; arboreal; locomotor modes; habitat

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gerald, II, G. W. (2008). Consequences of abiotic and biotic factors on limbless locomotion [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1218208497

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gerald, II, Gary. Consequences of abiotic and biotic factors on limbless locomotion. 2008. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1218208497.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gerald, II, Gary. "Consequences of abiotic and biotic factors on limbless locomotion." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1218208497

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1218208497
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.