Mechanical analysis of avian feet: multiarticular muscles in grasping and perching

摘要: The grasping capability of birds' feet is a hallmark their evolution, but the mechanics avian foot function are not well understood. Two evolutionary trends that contribute to mechanical complexity variation in relative lengths phalanges and subdivision digital flexor musculature observed among taxa. We modelled behaviour simplified bird response downward upward forces imparted by carrying perching tasks, respectively. Specifically, we compared performance various geometries performing these tasks when actuated distally inserted flexors only, versus both proximally flexors. Our analysis demonstrates most species possess phalanx conducive grasps only single tendon per digit. Furthermore, often required during perching, sufficient objects. These results reflected differences development ‘perching’ ‘grasping’ Thus, our shed light on roles length digit muscle distribution an integrative, context.