title: GAIT ANALYSIS IN GIANT ANTEATER (MYRMECOPHAGA TRIDACTYLA) WITH THE USE OF A PRESSURE-SENSITIVE WALKWAY.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetic and temporospatial parameters of clinically healthy juvenile giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) by using a pressure-sensing walkway. Three free-ranging clinically healthy giant anteaters (M. tridactyla), two males and one female, aged 5-7 mo, were used. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left sides for the kinetic and temporospatial parameters for both forelimbs and hind limbs. Although the gait velocity was similar for all giant anteaters, the stride frequency was higher in the smaller anteaters. The difference in stride frequency is associated with body size, which also influenced other temporospatial parameters. The percentage of body distribution was higher on the forelimbs than the hind limbs. The contact surface and trajectory of the force of the forepaws differed from the hind paws. In conclusion, the anteaters have gait peculiarities associated with the anatomical differences between forelimbs and hind limbs.
authors.forename: Luís Guilherme
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: de Faria
authors.forename: Sheila Canevese
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Rahal
authors.forename: Luciane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: dos Reis Mesquita
authors.forename: Felipe Stefan
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Agostinho
authors.forename: Washington Takashi
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Kano
authors.forename: Carlos Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Frederico Ozanan Barros
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005552:Forelimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D004490:Xenarthra / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Anteater; gait; kinetic; locomotion; pressure-sensitive walkway; temporospatial