Journal article
Surface friction alters the agility of a small Australian marsupial
Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.221(6), pp.1-43
2018
Abstract
Movement speed can underpin an animal's probability of success in ecological tasks. Prey often use agility to outmanoeuvre predators, however faster speeds increase inertia and reduce agility. Agility is also constrained by grip, as the foot must have sufficient friction with the ground to apply the forces required for turning. Consequently, ground surface should affect optimum turning speed. We tested the speed-agility trade-off in buff-footed antechinus (Antechinus mysticus) on two different surfaces. Antechinus used slower turning speeds over smaller turning radii on both surfaces, as predicted by the speed-agility trade-off. Slipping was 64% more likely on the low-friction surface, and had a higher probability of occurring the faster the antechinus were running before the turn. However, antechinus compensated for differences in surface friction by using slower pre-turn speeds as their amount of experience on the low-friction surface increased, which consequently reduced their probability of slipping. Conversely, on the high-friction surface, antechinus used faster pre-turn speeds in later trials, which had no effect on their probability of slipping. Overall, antechinus used larger turning radii (0.733±0.062 vs 0.576±0.051 m) and slower pre-turn (1.595±0.058 vs 2.174±0.050 ms-1) and turning speeds (1.649±0.061 vs 2.01±0.054 ms-1) on the low-friction surface. Our results demonstrate the interactive effect of surface friction and the speed-agility trade-off on speed choice. To predict wild animals' movement speeds, future studies should examine the interactions between biomechanical trade-offs and terrain, and quantify the costs of motor mistakes in different ecological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR], Copyright of Journal of Experimental Biology is the property of Company of Biologists Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
Details
- Title
- Surface friction alters the agility of a small Australian marsupial
- Authors
- R Wheatley (Author) - University of QueenslandChristofer J Clemente (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringAmanda C Niehaus (Author) - University of QueenslandDiana O Fisher (Author) - University of QueenslandRobbie S Wilson (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.221(6), pp.1-43
- Publisher
- Company of Biologists Ltd.
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1242/jeb.172544
- ISSN
- 0022-0949
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451364102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Biology
- Zoology
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Source: InCites