The primate semicircular canal system and locomotion.

Bibliographic Collection: 
MOCA Reference, APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Spoor, F.; Garland, T.; Krovitz, G.; Ryan, T. M.; Silcox, M. T.; Walker, A.
Year of Publication: 2007
Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume: 104
Issue: 26
Pagination: 10808-12
Date Published: 06/2007
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1091-6490
Keywords: Animals, Ear Canal, Head, Locomotion, Motion, Phylogeny, Primates
Abstract:

The semicircular canal system of vertebrates helps coordinate body movements, including stabilization of gaze during locomotion. Quantitative phylogenetically informed analysis of the radius of curvature of the three semicircular canals in 91 extant and recently extinct primate species and 119 other mammalian taxa provide support for the hypothesis that canal size varies in relation to the jerkiness of head motion during locomotion. Primate and other mammalian species studied here that are agile and have fast, jerky locomotion have significantly larger canals relative to body mass than those that move more cautiously.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704250104
Alternate Journal: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
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