Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Limb Synovial Joints

Development of the Limb Synovial Joints

Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the neck...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Evaluation of mammalian endurance using accelerometry in natura: bridging exercise physiology and ecology.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

Same author

Geographic Patterns of Head Morphology in Syngnathus typhle Across Marine Regions.

Integrative zoology·2026

Same author

Sleep-dependent infraslow rhythms are evolutionarily conserved across reptiles and mammals.

Nature neuroscience·2025

Same author

The Importance of Sleep in Animals and Its Potential Vulnerability to Climate Change.

Annual review of animal biosciences·2025

Same author

Body Design or Behavior? What Explains the Performance of Slender-Billed Gulls (<i>Chroicocephalus genei</i>) Feeding on Brine Shrimp (<i>Artemia</i> sp.) in Salt Pans?

Biology·2025

Same author

Bridging the gap between lab and field sleep studies: a proof-of-concept for studying wild rats in semi-captive environments.

Sleep advances : a journal of the Sleep Research Society·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling

Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling

Published on: September 16, 2013

Hindlimb interarticular coordinations in Microcebus murinus in maximal leaping.

Pierre Legreneur¹, François-Régis Thévenet, Paul-Antoine Libourel

¹EA 647, CRIS, Université de Lyon, 27-29 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, Villeurbanne Cedex, France. pierre.legreneur@univ-lyon1.fr

The Journal of Experimental Biology

|March 30, 2010

Summary

The study analyzed hindlimb joint coordination in mouse lemurs during maximal leaps. Findings reveal muscle stretch-shortening cycles and sequential joint movements amplify jumping power in this primate.

More Related Videos

Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling

Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling

Published on: September 16, 2013

Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: March 24, 2023

Area of Science:

Primate locomotion
Biomechanics
Comparative anatomy

Background:

The mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) is the world's smallest primate.
Understanding their leaping mechanics provides insights into primate evolution and locomotion.
Limited research exists on the detailed joint coordination during leaping in small primates.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the coordination patterns of hindlimb joints in Microcebus murinus during maximal leaps.
To analyze the sequencing and timing of joint rotations contributing to leaping performance.
To identify biomechanical mechanisms underlying powerful jumps in this species.

Main Methods:

High-speed X-ray videography was used to capture sagittal plane joint kinematics.
Angular kinematics of hip, knee, ankle, and metatarso-phalangeal (MT) joints were analyzed.
Body mass center (BMC) velocity and orientation at take-off were calculated.

Main Results:

Lemurs achieved maximal airborne distances of 2.55 times their snout-vent length.
Take-off occurred rapidly (72 ms) with BMC velocity at 55 degrees.
Analysis identified stretch-shortening cycles and proximo-to-distal joint sequencing as power amplifiers.

Conclusions:

Microcebus murinus employs sophisticated hindlimb coordination for efficient leaping.
Muscle-tendon mechanisms and sequential joint action are crucial for maximizing jump performance.
These findings contribute to understanding the biomechanics of locomotion in primates.