spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Glasheen, J.
Right arrow Articles by Mcmahon, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Glasheen, J.
Right arrow Articles by Mcmahon, T.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 199, Issue 12 2611-2618, Copyright © 1996 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Size-dependence of water-running ability in basilisk lizards (Basiliscus basiliscus)

J Glasheen and T Mcmahon

In the past, it has been proposed that basilisk lizards (Basiliscus basiliscus) are able to reach high population densities because the juveniles and adults have differing water-running abilities and therefore live in different habitats. However, there is no a priori reason to expect juveniles to be better able to run on water than adults. To determine the causal relationship between body size and water-running ability, we made three types of measurements: (1) direct morphological measurements on preserved specimens; (2) hydrodynamic measurements on physical models of the lizards' feet; and (3) kinematic measurements on basilisk lizards running on water. The information gathered from these investigations was used to develop an allometric model which predicted the maximum upward force impulses that the lizards could generate. We find that small lizards have a capacity to generate large force surpluses. A 2 g lizard can generate a maximum upward impulse that is more than twice that needed to support its body weight (225 %). In contrast, a 200 g lizard, under optimal conditions, can just barely support its body weight (111 %).


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
S. T. Hsieh and G. V. Lauder
Running on water: Three-dimensional force generation by basilisk lizards
PNAS, November 30, 2004; 101(48): 16784 - 16788.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
S. T. Hsieh
Three-dimensional hindlimb kinematics of water running in the plumed basilisk lizard (Basiliscus plumifrons)
J. Exp. Biol., December 1, 2003; 206(23): 4363 - 4377.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
R. Suter and H Wildman
Locomotion on the water surface: hydrodynamic constraints on rowing velocity require a gait change
J. Exp. Biol., January 10, 1999; 202(20): 2771 - 2785.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
D. Irschick and B. Jayne
Comparative three-dimensional kinematics of the hindlimb for high-speed bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion of lizards
J. Exp. Biol., January 5, 1999; 202(9): 1047 - 1065.
[Abstract] [PDF]


© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1996