School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 10;12(1):431. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-04273-w.
Armoured, rigid bodied animals, such as Testudines, must self-right should they find themselves in an inverted position. The ability to self-right is an essential biomechanical and physiological process that influences survival and ultimately fitness. Traits that enhance righting ability may consequently offer an evolutionary advantage. However, the energetic requirements of self-righting are unknown. Using respirometry and kinematic video analysis, we examined the metabolic cost of self-righting in the terrestrial Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise and compared this to the metabolic cost of locomotion at a moderate, easily sustainable speed. We found that self-righting is, relatively, metabolically expensive and costs around two times the mass-specific power required to walk. Rapid movements of the limbs and head facilitate successful righting however, combined with the constraints of breathing whilst upside down, contribute a significant metabolic cost. Consequently, in the wild, these animals should favour environments or behaviours where the risk of becoming inverted is reduced.
装甲、坚硬的身体动物，如龟鳖目动物，如果发现自己处于倒置的位置，必须自我纠正。自我纠正的能力是一个重要的生物力学和生理过程，它影响着生存，最终影响着适应性。因此，增强自我纠正能力的特征可能会带来进化优势。然而，自我纠正的能量需求尚不清楚。我们使用呼吸测量法和运动学视频分析，研究了陆地地中海刺龟在自我纠正过程中的代谢成本，并将其与以适度、易于维持的速度运动的代谢成本进行了比较。我们发现，自我纠正相对来说是非常耗费代谢的，其成本约为步行所需的比质量功率的两倍。四肢和头部的快速运动有助于成功地自我纠正，但同时也受到在倒置状态下呼吸的限制，这会带来显著的代谢成本。因此，在野外，这些动物应该更喜欢那些可以降低倒置风险的环境或行为。
