- 1.
A simple optical method was used to observe speed, stride length and stepping frequency in undisturbed walking or running wild animals. Most measurements were made on the gnu (adult and young calf) and Thomson's gazelle.
- 2.
The hypothesis that stepping frequency is independent of speed is not tenable for any gait.
- 3.
The data are discussed in terms of N, the average number of feet in contact with the ground. It is suggested that the value required of N by the animal is the main consideration determining its choice of gait.
- 4.
The height of the vertical jumps in galloping does not need to increase indefinitely with speed, and the power needed for the jumps is not likely to limit the maximum galloping speed.
- 5.
Stepping frequency observations in the walk, trot and canter were analysed for 14 mammal species plus the gnu calf. Stepping frequency was found to vary with about the - 0.5 power of the linear dimensions in all three gaits.
- 6.
It is suggested that only three gaits should be recognized, the walk, trot and canter, and that they should be distinguished on the basis of (a) the symmetry or otherwise of the stepping pattern, (b) the range of N over which the gait can be used, and (c) the nature of the energy transformations which occur at each step.
In the field: an interview with Harald Wolf
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In our new Conversation, Harald Wolf talks about his fieldwork experiences working with desert ants in Tunisia to understand their navigation.
Propose a new Workshop
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Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Julian Dow steps down and John Terblanche joins the JEB team
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After 15 years with the journal, Julian Dow from University of Glasgow, UK, is stepping down as a Monitoring Editor. We wish Julian all the best for the future and welcome John Terblanche, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, who is joining the team. Julian talks about his long association with The Company of Biologists and the journal and John tells us about his life and career in this News article.
An accelerometer-derived ballistocardiogram method for detecting heart rate in free-ranging marine mammals
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Max Czapanskiy and co show how the resting heart rates of blue whales are immortalized in the accelerometry traces collected by motion sensing data tags.
Global change and physiological challenges for Amazonian fish
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In their Review, Adalberto Luis Val and Chris Wood discuss the physiological threats to the unique and diverse fish fauna of Amazonia.
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