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Prehension in the pigeon. II. Kinematic analysis
1Biopsychology Program, Hunter College (CUNY), NY.
Experimental Brain Research
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Pigeons adjust their jaw opening to pellet size during eating. Kinematic analysis reveals this scaling is pre-programmed, suggesting a "pulse-height" motor control strategy similar to humans.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Biomechanics
- Motor Control
Background:
- Pigeon jaw acts as a prehensile organ during feeding.
- Jaw opening movements are adjusted based on pellet size for Grasping and Mandibulation phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate motor control mechanisms for jaw opening adjustments.
- Analyze kinematic properties of jaw movements in relation to pellet size.
Main Methods:
- Kinematic analysis of pigeon jaw movements during eating.
- Evaluation using a "pulse-control" model framework.
- Examination of amplitude, derivatives, and rise time scaling to pellet size.
Main Results:
- Peak jaw opening amplitude, acceleration, and velocity scale with pellet size.
- These kinematic variables explain most of the variance in opening amplitude.
- Evidence suggests movement parameters are pre-programmed before initiation.
Conclusions:
- Pigeons utilize a "pulse-height" strategy for amplitude scaling in targeted jaw movements.
- This strategy is consistent with motor control mechanisms observed in cats and humans.
- Jaw movement control in pigeons demonstrates pre-programmed trajectory parameters.