The basic features of locomotion in annelids are most easily observed in the earthworm because it lacks appendages and parapodia.
The study has been carefully conducted and provides new and useful tools for measuring and analyzing specific features of locomotion and ataxia with unprecedented accuracy.
Symmetry is generally assumed to be a characteristic feature of normal locomotion [ 18, 41- 44], whereas a substantial lack of symmetry usually correlates with the presence of pathology/lameness [ 23, 24, 45].
These authors conclude that some basic features of tetrapod locomotion, including pelvic limb gait patterns, probably arose in sacopterygians before the origin of digital limbs and the invasion of land.
Our models assume two features of legged locomotion: (i) legs resist only compressive loads during stance (no tension or torque); and (ii) a minimum swing duration governed by a maximum leg angular velocity.
Subsequently, FIMtrack was employed to extract a large number of locomotion features to analyze the data34,35.
Consequently, much effort has been devoted to understanding the energy expenditure of locomotion and the features that affect locomotor efficiency.
These features point to a slow, graviportal mode of locomotion.
Species with indexes lying between those of clearly recognizable locomotor types represent transitional types, whose style of locomotion really does manifest features of both of the bracketing categories.
Briefly, BMS is a 9-point scale providing a gross indication of locomotion and its different features.
