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They seem to glide. Are there aerodynamic effects in leaping prosimian primates?
Zeitschrift Fur Morphologie Und Anthropologie
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Aerodynamic forces significantly influence primate leaping, with limb spreading potentially aiding flight. Calculations suggest these forces are comparable to blunt bodies, impacting smaller and larger species differently.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Aerodynamics
- Primate Locomotion
Background:
- Leaping primates adopt horizontal aerial postures, exposing skin folds between limbs and trunk.
- This posture suggests potential use of aerodynamic forces for gliding, steering, or braking during leaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate aerodynamic lift and drag coefficients for leaping primates.
- To assess the potential influence of aerodynamic forces on primate leaping distance and flight path.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical calculation of lift and drag coefficients.
- Analysis based on achieving a 5% gain or loss in leaping distance.
- Comparison of calculated coefficients to those of known blunt bodies.
Main Results:
- Calculated coefficients fall within the range of cylinder-shaped blunt bodies, indicating significant aerodynamic influence.
- Smaller primates (e.g., galagos) are more affected due to larger relative surface areas.
- Larger primates (e.g., sifakas) are influenced by airspeed, with greater distances and takeoff velocities.
Conclusions:
- Aerodynamic forces likely play a significant role in primate leaping dynamics.
- The influence of aerodynamics varies with species size and airspeed.
- Experimental validation is required to confirm the precise impact of lift and drag.