Comparative Energetics - Cost of Locomotion Publications

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The economy of locomotion (gas mileage - gal/mile) is remarkably similar for animals that differ in leg architecture, leg number, skeletal type, and body temperature when the effects of size are removed. A 4-legged mouse, 4-legged lizard, and 8-legged crab and a 42-legged centipede of the same size have similar economies. Size alone can explain much of the variation we see. Ideas that attempt to explain the similarity in metabolic cost which are restricted to mammals or humans will most likely be inadequate because we see this general trend. Equally impressive is the variation in metabolic cost observed at a given body mass. Differences in metabolic cost can exceed 6-fold, but the reasons for such variation remain largely unknown.

Weinstein, R. and Full, R.J. 1998. Performance limits of low-temperature, continuous locomotion are exceeded when locomotion is intermittent in the ghost crab. Physiol. Zool. 71, 274-284.

Autumn, K., Farley, C. Emshwiller, M. and Full, R.J. 1997. Low cost of locomotion in the banded gecko: a test of the nocturnality hypothesis. Physiol. Zool. 70, 660-669

Full, R.J. 1997. Invertebrate locomotion systems. In The Handbook of Comparative Physiology. (Ed. W. Dantzler). Oxford University Press, 853-930. Full Text PDF

Weinstein, R., Full, R.J. and Ahn, A.N. 1994. Dehydration decreases locomotor performance of the ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata. Physiol. Zool. 67, 873-891.

Weinstein, R. and Full, R.J. 1994. Thermal dependence of locomotor energetics and endurance capacity in the ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata. Physiol. Zool. 67, 855-872.

Autumn, K., Weinstein, R. and Full, R.J. 1994. Low cost of locomotion increases performance at low temperature in a nocturnal lizard. Physiol. Zool. 67, 238-262.

Full, R.J. and Weinstein, R.B. 1992. Integrating the physiology, mechanics and behavior of rapid running ghost crabs: slow and steady doesn't always win the race. Amer. Zool. 32, 382-395.

Weinstein, R.B. and Full, R.J. 1992. Intermittent locomotion alters endurance in an eight-legged ectotherm. Amer. J. Physiol. 262, R852-859.

Gatten, R., Miller, K. and Full, R.J. 1992. Energetics at rest and during locomotion. In Environmental Physiology of Amphibians. (eds. M.E. Feder and W. Burggren). University of Chicago Press. New York. pp. 314-377.

Full, R.J. 1991. The concepts of efficiency and economy in land locomotion. In Efficiency and Economy in Animal Physiology. (ed. R.W. Blake). Cambridge University Press, New York. pp. 97-131.

Full, R.J. 1991. Animal motility and gravity. Physiologist 34, S15-18.

Anderson, B.D, Feder, M.E. and Full, R.J. 1991. Energetic consequence of a gait change during locomotion in toads (Bufo Woodhousii Fowleri). J. exp Bio. 158, 133-148.

Full, R.J. Zuccarello, D.A. and Tullis, A. 1990. Effect of variation in form on the cost of terrestrial locomotion. J. exp. Bio. 150, 233-246.

Full, R.J. and Tullis, A. 1990. Energetics of ascent: insects on inclines. J. exp. Bio. 149, 307-317.

Full, R.J. 1989. Mechanics and energetics of terrestrial locomotion: From bipeds to polypeds. In Energy Transformations in Cells and Organisms. (ed. W. Wieser and E. Gnaiger). Thieme, Stuttgart, NY. pp. 175-182.

Full, R.J., Caldwell, R.L. and Chow, S. 1989. Smashing energetics: prey selection and feeding efficiency of the stomatopod, Gonodactylus bredini. Ethology 82, 134-147.

Full, R.J., Anderson, B.D., Finnerty, C.M. and Feder, M.E. 1988. Exercising with and without lungs: I. The effects of metabolic cost, maximal oxygen transport and body size on terrestrial locomotion in salamander species. J. exp Bio. 138, 471-485.

Herreid, C.F. and R.J. Full. 1988. Energetics and locomotion. In Biology of the Land Crab. (eds. W. Burggren and B.R. McMahon). pp. 333-377. Cambridge University Press. New York.

Full, R.J. 1987. Locomotion energetics of the ghost crab: I. Metabolic cost and endurance. J. exp. Bio. 130, 137-153.

Full, R.J. 1986. Locomotion without lungs: energetics and performance of a lungless salamander, Plethodon jordani. Am. J. Physiol. 251, R775-R780.

Herreid II, C.F. and R.J. Full. 1986. Energetics of hermit crabs during locomotion: the cost of carrying a shell. J. exp. Bio. 120, 297-308.

Full, R.J., C.F. Herreid II and J.A. Assad. 1985. Energetics of the exercising wharf crab, Sesarma cinereum. Physiol. Zool. 58, 605-615.

Full, R.J. and C.F. Herreid II. 1984. Fiddler crab exercise: the energetic cost of running sideways. J. exp. Bio. 109, 141-161.

Herreid II, C.F. and R.J. Full. 1984. Cockroaches on a treadmill: aerobic running. J. Insect Physiol. 30, 395-403.

Full, R.J. and C.F. Herreid II. 1983. Aerobic response to exercise of the fastest land crab. Am. J. Physiol. 244, R530-R536.

Herreid II, C.F., R.J. Full and D.A. Prawel. 1981. Energetics of cockroach locomotion. J. exp. Bio. 94, 189-202.

Herreid II, C.F., D.A. Prawel and R. J. Full. 1981. Energetics of running cockroaches. Science 212, 331-333.