Mammalian Spinal Biomechanics: II. Intervertebral Lesion Experiments and Mechanisms of Bending Resistance

Gal, J.

doi:10.1242/jeb.174.1.281

Cited by 37 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In crocodylians, more horizontal zygapophyses are found in regions of the spine that predominantly experience lateral movements [ 16 ] and are correlated with decreased intervertebral joint stiffness in lateral flexion [ 12 ]. Because different axial structures limit movement in different animals [ 37 ], caution should be used when generalizing relationships between morphology and function broadly across clades.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphological and functional regionalization of trunk vertebrae as an adaptation for arboreal locomotion in chameleons

Molnár

Watanabe

2023

R. Soc. open sci.

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Regionalization of the vertebral column can help animals adapt to different kinds of locomotion, including arboreal locomotion. Although functional axial regionalization has been described in both chameleons and arboreal mammals, no morphological basis for this functional regionalization in chameleons has been proposed. However, recent studies have described regionalization in the presacral vertebral column of other extant squamates. To investigate possible morphological regionalization in the vertebral column of chameleons, we took morphometric measurements from the presacral vertebrae of 28 chameleon species representing all extant chameleon genera, both fully arboreal and ground-dwelling, and performed comparative analyses. Our results support chameleons exhibiting three or four presacral morphological regions that correspond closely to those in other sauropsids, but we detected evolutionary shifts in vertebral traits occurring in only arboreal chameleons. Specifically, the anterior dorsal region in arboreal chameleons has more vertically oriented zygapophyseal joints, predicting decreased mediolateral flexibility. This shift is functionally significant because stiffening of the anterior thoracic vertebral column has been proposed to help bridge gaps between supports in primates. Thus, specialization of existing morphological regions in the vertebral column of chameleons may have played an important role in the evolution of extreme arboreal locomotion, paralleling the adaptations of arboreal primates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10: 221509 and are correlated with decreased intervertebral joint stiffness in lateral flexion [12]. Because different axial structures limit movement in different animals [37], caution should be used when generalizing relationships between morphology and function broadly across clades.…”

Section: A Morphological Basis For Evolution Of Extreme Arborealism I...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and functional regionalization of trunk vertebrae as an adaptation for arboreal locomotion in chameleons

Molnár

Watanabe

2023

R. Soc. open sci.

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“…It is characterized by the longest lumbar region among all carnivorans and ungulates we have studied (Figure 6). Gál, 1993) is also lower than in the domestic cat (~26°; Jones et al, 2020). Both the lumbar region's elongation and high flexibility of the vertebral column are ways to increase the path of the animal's center of gravity when the lumbar region extends from the maximally flexed position to the straight position, for instance, before a jump.…”

Section: Felidsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…So‐called in vitro (actually ex vivo) studies are based on the study of specially prepared syndesmological specimens, cleared of muscles but retaining ligaments. In early in vitro studies (Gál, 1993 ; Pylypchuk, 1975 ), the aROM values of the specimens were estimated using X‐ray. The lumbosacral region was bent as a whole, not segmented into functional spinal units (FSU – pairs or triples of vertebrae used in such experiments today).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Running, jumping, hunting, and scavenging: Functional analysis of vertebral mobility and backbone properties in carnivorans

Belyaev,

Nikolskaia,

Bushuev

et al. 2023

Journal of Anatomy

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Carnivorans are well‐known for their exceptional backbone mobility, which enables them to excel in fast running and long jumping, leading to them being among the most successful predators amongst terrestrial mammals. This study presents the first large‐scale analysis of mobility throughout the presacral region of the vertebral column in carnivorans. The study covers representatives of 6 families, 24 genera and 34 species. We utilized a previously developed osteometry‐based method to calculate available range of motion, quantifying all three directions of intervertebral mobility: sagittal bending (SB), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). We observed a strong phylogenetic signal in the structural basis of the vertebral column (vertebral and joint formulae, length proportions of the backbone modules) and an insignificant phylogenetic signal in most characteristics of intervertebral mobility. This indicates that within the existing structure (stabilization of which occurred rather early in different phylogenetic lineages), intervertebral mobility in carnivorans is quite flexible. Our findings reveal that hyenas and canids, which use their jaws to seize prey, are characterized by a noticeably elongated cervical region and significantly higher SB and LB mobility of the cervical joints compared to other carnivorans. In representatives of other carnivoran families, the cervical region is very short, but the flexibility of the neck (both SB and LB) is significantly higher than that of short‐necked odd‐toed and even‐toed ungulates. The lumbar region of the backbone in carnivorans is dorsomobile in the sagittal plane, being on average ~23° more mobile than in artiodactyls and ~38° more mobile than in perissodactyls. However, despite the general dorsomobility, only some representatives of Canidae, Felidae, and Viverridae are superior in lumbar flexibility to the most dorsomobile ungulates. The most dorsomobile artiodactyls are equal or even superior to carnivorans in their ability to engage in dorsal extension during galloping. In contrast, carnivorans are far superior to ungulates in their ability to engage ventral flexion. The cumulative SB in the lumbar region in carnivorans largely depends on the mode of running and hunting. Thus, adaptation to prolonged and enduring pursuit of prey in hyenas is accompanied by markedly reduced SB flexibility in the lumbar region. A more dorsostable run is also a characteristic of the Ursidae, and the peculiar maned wolf. Representatives of Felidae and Canidae have significantly more available SB mobility in the lumbar region. However, they fully engage it only occasionally at key moments of the hunt associated with the direct capture of the prey or when running in a straight line at maximum speed.

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“…Unfortunately, however, the behavior of each vertebra in non‐human primates during trunk rotation is not yet fully understood, both in vivo and in vitro (Shapiro & Russo, 2019). An exception to this is a biomechanical study that evaluated cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis ) in order to compare the lumbar function of mammals (Gál, 1993a, 1993b). According to Gál (1993a), the lumbar vertebrae of cynomolgus macaques showed greater mechanical resistance and less mobility in flexion and extension in the sagittal plane than did the lumbar vertebrae of wallabies, tigers, jaguars, and seals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Range of rotation of thoracolumbar vertebrae in Japanese macaques

Kinoshita

Hirasaki

2023

The Anatomical Record

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In humans, the range of thoracic vertebral rotation is known to be greater than that of the lumbar vertebrae due to their zygapophyseal orientation and soft tissue structure. However, little is known regarding vertebral movements in non‐human primate species, which are primarily quadrupedal walkers. To understand the evolutionary background of human vertebral movements, this study estimated the range of axial rotation of the thoracolumbar spine in macaque monkeys. First, computed tomography (CT) was performed while passively rotating the trunk of whole‐body cadavers of Japanese macaques, after which the motion of each thoracolumbar vertebra was estimated. Second, to evaluate the influence of the shoulder girdle and surrounding soft tissues, specimens with only bones and ligaments were prepared, after which the rotation of each vertebra was estimated using an optical motion tracking system. In both conditions, the three‐dimensional coordinates of each vertebra were digitized, and the axial rotational angles between adjacent vertebrae were calculated. In the whole‐body condition, the lower thoracic vertebrae had a greater range of rotation than did the other regions, similar to that observed in humans. In addition, absolute values for the range of rotation were similar between humans and macaques. However, in the bone–ligament preparation condition, the upper thoracic vertebrae had a range of rotation similar to that of the lower thoracic vertebrae. Contrary to previous speculations, our results showed that the mechanical restrictions by the ribs were not as significant; rather, the shoulder girdle largely restricted the rotation of the upper thoracic vertebrae, at least, in macaques.

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Mammalian Spinal Biomechanics: II. Intervertebral Lesion Experiments and Mechanisms of Bending Resistance

Cited by 37 publications

References 14 publications

Morphological and functional regionalization of trunk vertebrae as an adaptation for arboreal locomotion in chameleons

Morphological and functional regionalization of trunk vertebrae as an adaptation for arboreal locomotion in chameleons

Running, jumping, hunting, and scavenging: Functional analysis of vertebral mobility and backbone properties in carnivorans

Range of rotation of thoracolumbar vertebrae in Japanese macaques

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