CJO - Abstract - Cautionary comments on the measurement of maximum locomotor capabilities

Journal of Zoology (2002), 258 : 57-61 Cambridge University Press

Copyright © 2002 The Zoological Society of London

doi:10.1017/S0952836902001206

Published online by Cambridge University Press 20 Aug 2002

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Cautionary comments on the measurement of maximum locomotor capabilities

Jonathan B. Losos ^a1^c1, Douglas A. Creer ^a1 and James A. Schulte II ^a1^p1
^a1 Department of Biology, Campus Box 1137, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130-4899, U.S.A.

Abstract

In recent years, laboratory measurements of locomotor performance of small organisms have been used increasingly to study questions in behavioural, physiological, and evolutionary ecology. Although a valuable tool that can provide insight into organismal function, behaviour, and adaptation, this approach is potentially limited by the quality of the data collected. Using the study of maximum sprint speed in lizards as an example, common problems in methodology that may confound interpretation of performance studies are discussed.

(Accepted October 1 2001)

Key Words: lizard; locomotion; performance; sprint speed; methodology.

Correspondence:
^c1 All correspondence to: J. B. Losos. E-mail: losos@biology.wustl.edu
^p1 Present address: Division of Amphibians & Reptiles, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A.