title: Contribution to the analysis of gaits: practical elements to complement the Hildebrand method.
abstract: This paper suggests three additions to the Hildebrand method for gait-pattern specification. The first allows an extension of this method by the use of the forelimb as reference. Thus, dataset could be gathered indifferently from fore or hindlimbs cycles to identify a symmetrical gait or compare gaits of diverse species. On the basis of Hildebrand's definitions, the second suggestion permits to check the proportion of symmetrical and asymmetrical gaits adopted by different individuals of one or different species. The third addition makes a graphical clear-cut between four basic modes of gallops: rotary, transverse, half-bound and bound. These additions will facilitate extensive data comparison either to evaluate the range of variation within a single species or to specify the preferred gaits in diverse species.
authors.affiliation: UMR 8570 MNHN/CNRS, Adaptations et évolution des systèmes ostéomusculaires, Département d'écologie et de gestion de la biodiversité, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Anatomie comparée 55, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France. renous@mnhn.fr
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renous
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herbin
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gasc
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D013045:Species Specificity