Keep calm and hang on: EMG activation in the forelimb musculature of three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus).

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Marissa A GorvetMichael T Butcher

Abstract

Sloths exhibit below branch locomotion whereby their limbs are loaded in tension to support the body weight. Suspensory behaviors require both strength and fatigue resistance from the limb flexors; however, skeletal muscle mass of sloths is reduced compared with other arboreal mammals. Although suspensory locomotion demands that muscles are active to counteract the pull of gravity, it is possible that sloths minimize muscle activation and/or selectively recruit slow motor units to maintain support, thus indicating neuromuscular specializations to conserve energy. Electromyography (EMG) was evaluated in a sample of three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus; N=6) to test this hypothesis. EMG was recorded at 2000 Hz via fine-wire electrodes implanted into two suites of four muscles in the left forelimb while sloths performed suspensory hanging (SH), suspensory walking (SW) and vertical climbing (VC). All muscles were minimally active for SH. During SW and VC, sloths moved slowly (duty factor: 0.83) and activation patterns were consistent between behaviors; the flexors were activated early and for a large percentage of limb contact, whereas the extensors were activated for shorter burst durations on average and showed biphasic (contac...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1974·Journal of Neurophysiology·E HennemanR D Skinner
Feb 1, 1981·The American Journal of Anatomy·D W Sickles, C A Pinkstaff
Feb 1, 1981·The American Journal of Anatomy·D W Sickles, C A Pinkstaff
Jan 1, 1982·Annual Review of Physiology·C R Taylor, N C Heglund
Mar 1, 1980·Journal of Neurophysiology·J L SmithR F Zernicke
Jul 1, 1994·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·B C Jayne, G V Lauder
Feb 21, 1997·Science·T J RobertsC R Taylor
Nov 24, 1999·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·F K JouffroyS G Larson
Dec 5, 2000·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·V von Tscharner
Feb 1, 2002·European Journal of Applied Physiology·J M WakelingV von Tscharner
Oct 29, 2002·Muscle & Nerve·James M Wakeling, Douglas A Syme
May 1, 1960·Scientific American·M HILDEBRAND
Jun 1, 1965·Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology·E S BARRATT
Oct 9, 2004·The Journal of Experimental Biology·James M Wakeling
Jan 26, 2007·American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology·Luana TonioloFrancesco Mascarello
Jun 19, 2007·The Journal of Experimental Biology·E F Hodson-Tole, J M Wakeling
May 20, 2008·Science·Jandy B HannaTimothy M Griffin
Aug 13, 2010·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·M T ButcherJ E A Bertram
Feb 22, 2012·Annals of Biomedical Engineering·James M WakelingAndrew A Biewener
Aug 10, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Simon M HarrisonMarcus G Pandy
Aug 12, 2014·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Ollie M Blake, James M Wakeling
Jul 16, 2016·The American Naturalist·Jonathan N PauliWilliam H Karasov
Jun 18, 2017·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Jandy B HannaDaniel Schmitt
Sep 15, 2017·ELife·James R Usherwood, Zoe T Self Davies
Aug 22, 2018·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Michael C GranatoskyDionisios Youlatos
Sep 28, 2018·PeerJ·Rebecca Naomi CliffeRory Paul Wilson
Dec 5, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Michael C GranatoskyJandy Hanna
Feb 8, 2019·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Christine Merlin, Miriam Liedvogel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 20, 2020·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Kyle B SpainhowerMichael T Butcher
Apr 3, 2021·Integrative Organismal Biology·A M MossorM T Butcher
Jan 18, 2022·Journal of Anatomy·Michael T ButcherRebecca N Cliffe

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Journal of Comparative Neurology
J F Toole, T H Bullock
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Alex GreenwoodS Pääbo
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Alexandre ArenalesRenato Lima Santos
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved