The complex relationships between host-adaptation, carriage of antimicrobial resistance and probability of cure among S. aureus strains warrants continued study [ 16].
We hypothesised that the ptarmigan will possess adaptations toward efficient load carriage in order to minimise the cost of locomotion during winter, when energy conservation may be critical for survival.
This difference in MRSA prevalence found between horse farms and intensive food production animal facilities seems unlikely to be due to differences in host adaptation given the substantial MRSA carriage found in equine clinics [ 7, 26].
Previous research into the energetic consequences of the Svalbard ptarmigan's seasonal fat gain demonstrated remarkable adaptations towards efficiency of load carriage whilst walking in the winter (Lees et al., 2010).
The barnacle goose and tufted duck are both Anseriform birds meaning that any differences between these closely related species, such as the relatively inexpensive load carriage in the tufted duck, are likely to be caused by specific locomotor adaptations.
But when one looks at the mechanics of the horse-and-buggy era, it quickly becomes clear that carriage makers and carriage parts makers would serve as much better case studies of attempted technological adaptation.
The carriage slowed down.
LIZADONNELLY: The carriage indeed.
