Graduation Year
2020
Graduation Month
May
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
School or Department
Biological Sciences, Division of
Major
Biology – Human Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences, Division of
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Bret Tobalske
Faculty Reader(s)
Dr. Bret Tobalske
Keywords
Slope, Hind Limb Kinematics, Chukar, Ground-dwelling, Galliformes
Subject Categories
Biomechanics | Ornithology | Poultry or Avian Science
Abstract
Ground dwelling birds must scale all kinds of complex terrain in order to survive in their natural environments. For instance, Alectoris chukar live on steep hillsides with slopes of up to 60° or 172.3% slope. We undertook the present study to improve understanding of how birds successfully traverse such complex terrain. Using a high speed camera, we analyzed the hind limb kinematics of chukars during normal locomotion on a 10° and 35° incline, decline, and level slope. We compared the data collected from the video recordings, which we had used to identify and digitize the bony landmarks, between all conditions. We discovered that the kinematics of the hind limbs of chukars differed significantly depending on the angle of slope being traversed during normal locomotion. Compared to the other conditions, during descent at 35°, the maximum and minimum knee angles and the maximum angles within the foot demonstrate significant differences. This result suggests a correlation between the steepness of the slope being traversed and the muscular activity required to acquire the specific body positions necessary to accomplish locomotion on the various, demanding slopes found in their habitats.
Honors College Research Project
Yes
Recommended Citation
Kenney, Anna T., "Effects of Slope upon Hind Limb Kinematics in Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar)" (2020). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 183.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/183
© Copyright 2020 Anna T. Kenney