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Canopy Science |
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The Mechanical Behaviour of Trees in Relation to Orangutan Locomotion and Nest Building
Scientist: Adam van Casteren
Contact Email: adam.vancasteren@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Institution: University of Manchester
Project Description:
Recent studies have suggested that the stiff-legged bipedalism characteristic of humans and orangutans may have evolved initially as an adaptation to move safely and efficiently on thin, flexible (compliant) branches in the canopy of tropical forest. This study will investigate this hypothesis by gathering and analysing quantitative kinematic (movement) data of orangutans locomoting on compliant branches, whilst also determining the dynamic mechanical properties of these branches and a range of other tropical tree trunks and branches. This data should provide information on living branches used for locomotion and branches utilised in orangutan nest building. Our aims are 1) to obtain a greater understanding of the role of compliant branches in the locomotion of orangutans and other arboreal mammals, 2) to shed light on the origins of human bipedalism and 3) to obtain an insight into orangutan nest building and associated branch manipulations.
Participants:
Adam van Casteren
Dr Roland Ennos
Dr Susannah Thorpe
Project Location: Republic of Indonesia
Added Date: 29-Oct-2009
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