Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards
Abstract Small cursorial birds display remarkable walking skills and can negotiate complex and unstructured terrains with ease. The neuromechanical control strategies necessary to adapt to these challenging terrains are still not well understood. Here, we analyzed the 2D- and 3D pelvic and leg kinem...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20247-y |
| _version_ | 1828111659685642240 |
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| author | Emanuel Andrada Oliver Mothes Heiko Stark Matthew C. Tresch Joachim Denzler Martin S. Fischer Reinhard Blickhan |
| author_facet | Emanuel Andrada Oliver Mothes Heiko Stark Matthew C. Tresch Joachim Denzler Martin S. Fischer Reinhard Blickhan |
| author_sort | Emanuel Andrada |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Small cursorial birds display remarkable walking skills and can negotiate complex and unstructured terrains with ease. The neuromechanical control strategies necessary to adapt to these challenging terrains are still not well understood. Here, we analyzed the 2D- and 3D pelvic and leg kinematic strategies employed by the common quail to negotiate visible steps (upwards and downwards) of about 10%, and 50% of their leg length. We used biplanar fluoroscopy to accurately describe joint positions in three dimensions and performed semi-automatic landmark localization using deep learning. Quails negotiated the vertical obstacles without major problems and rapidly regained steady-state locomotion. When coping with step upwards, the quail mostly adapted the trailing limb to permit the leading leg to step on the elevated substrate similarly as it did during level locomotion. When negotiated steps downwards, both legs showed significant adaptations. For those small and moderate step heights that did not induce aerial running, the quail kept the kinematic pattern of the distal joints largely unchanged during uneven locomotion, and most changes occurred in proximal joints. The hip regulated leg length, while the distal joints maintained the spring-damped limb patterns. However, to negotiate the largest visible steps, more dramatic kinematic alterations were observed. There all joints contributed to leg lengthening/shortening in the trailing leg, and both the trailing and leading legs stepped more vertically and less abducted. In addition, locomotion speed was decreased. We hypothesize a shift from a dynamic walking program to more goal-directed motions that might be focused on maximizing safety. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:38:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a278b89fe7d44dd7a82faaf78cf7390f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:38:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a278b89fe7d44dd7a82faaf78cf7390f2022-12-22T04:25:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-09-0112111710.1038/s41598-022-20247-yLimb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwardsEmanuel Andrada0Oliver Mothes1Heiko Stark2Matthew C. Tresch3Joachim Denzler4Martin S. Fischer5Reinhard Blickhan6Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaComputer Vision Group, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaInstitute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaDepartment of Physiology, Northwestern UniversityComputer Vision Group, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaInstitute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaScience of Motion, Friedrich-Schiller-University JenaAbstract Small cursorial birds display remarkable walking skills and can negotiate complex and unstructured terrains with ease. The neuromechanical control strategies necessary to adapt to these challenging terrains are still not well understood. Here, we analyzed the 2D- and 3D pelvic and leg kinematic strategies employed by the common quail to negotiate visible steps (upwards and downwards) of about 10%, and 50% of their leg length. We used biplanar fluoroscopy to accurately describe joint positions in three dimensions and performed semi-automatic landmark localization using deep learning. Quails negotiated the vertical obstacles without major problems and rapidly regained steady-state locomotion. When coping with step upwards, the quail mostly adapted the trailing limb to permit the leading leg to step on the elevated substrate similarly as it did during level locomotion. When negotiated steps downwards, both legs showed significant adaptations. For those small and moderate step heights that did not induce aerial running, the quail kept the kinematic pattern of the distal joints largely unchanged during uneven locomotion, and most changes occurred in proximal joints. The hip regulated leg length, while the distal joints maintained the spring-damped limb patterns. However, to negotiate the largest visible steps, more dramatic kinematic alterations were observed. There all joints contributed to leg lengthening/shortening in the trailing leg, and both the trailing and leading legs stepped more vertically and less abducted. In addition, locomotion speed was decreased. We hypothesize a shift from a dynamic walking program to more goal-directed motions that might be focused on maximizing safety.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20247-y |
| spellingShingle | Emanuel Andrada Oliver Mothes Heiko Stark Matthew C. Tresch Joachim Denzler Martin S. Fischer Reinhard Blickhan Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards Scientific Reports |
| title | Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards |
| title_full | Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards |
| title_fullStr | Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards |
| title_full_unstemmed | Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards |
| title_short | Limb, joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards |
| title_sort | limb joint and pelvic kinematic control in the quail coping with steps upwards and downwards |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20247-y |
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