Mechanisms of hind foot reversal in climbing mammals

Journal of Morphology
F A Jenkins, Deedra McClearn

Abstract

Many climbing mammals are able to reverse normal hind foot posture to effect the grip necessary to descend headfirst or to hang upside down. Such hind foot reversal is known in sciurids, procyonids, felids, viverrids, tupaiids, prosimians, and marsupials. The joint movements involved, however, have never been documented unequivocally although various interpretations (some contradictory) have been made. We report here radiographic data from species of the genera Didelphis, Felis, Nasua, Nycticebus, Potos, Sciurus, and Tupaia. In the six eutherians studied, three joints are involved, and there is a common pattern in the mechanism: crurotalar plantarflexion, subtalar inversion, and transverse tarsal supination. Hind foot reversal represents the development of an unusual degree of excursion at these joints, rather than the appearance of any new type of movement. In Didelphis the mechanism is quite different: a bicondylar, spiral tibiotalar joint is the principal site of inversion/abduction movements. This specialization is characteristic of didelphids and phalangerids, and occurs in the extinct multituberculates as well; it is not found in macropodids (which are like eutherians in crurotalar joint structure) or other marsupial fami...Continue Reading

References

Feb 26, 1976·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·F A Jenkins, F R Parrington

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 1, 1997·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·D J MeldrumJ White
Nov 2, 2011·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Jason M Organ, Pierre Lemelin
Jan 1, 2014·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Rachel H DunnWilliam L Jungers
Jun 13, 2017·Journal of Morphology·Elsa PanciroliAlberto Martín-Serra
Aug 29, 2012·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology·Sara E HyamsGuy N Cameron
Jan 23, 2010·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology·Pierre Lemelin, Matt Cartmill
Jul 12, 2002·American Journal of Primatology·Elissa KrakauerDaniel Schmitt
Oct 17, 2014·Biology Letters·Aleksandra V Birn-Jeffery, Timothy E Higham
Sep 7, 2017·Journal of Human Evolution·Doug M BoyerMarc Godinot
Apr 2, 2021·American Journal of Primatology·Bernadette Perchalski
May 2, 2021·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Gabriel S Yapuncich, Michael C Granatosky
Jan 7, 2022·Anatomia, histologia, embryologia·Liz Melissa Enciso García, Juan Fernando Vélez García
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.