The role of tendon elasticity in the locomotion of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

  1. R. McN. Alexander1,
  2. G. M. O. Maloiy2,
  3. R. F. Ker1,
  4. A. S. Jayes1,
  5. C. N. Warui3

Article first published online: 20 AUG 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1982.tb02077.x

Issue

Journal of Zoology

Journal of Zoology

Volume 198, Issue 3, pages 293–313, November 1982

Additional Information

How to Cite

Alexander, R. McN., Maloiy, G. M. O., Ker, R. F., Jayes, A. S. and Warui, C. N. (1982), The role of tendon elasticity in the locomotion of the camel (Camelus dromedarius). Journal of Zoology, 198: 293–313. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1982.tb02077.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    *Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.

  2. 2

    **Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya

  3. 3

    ‡Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 AUG 2009
  2. Article first published online: 20 AUG 2009
  3. Accepted 13 Apri 1982)

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Several ofthe distal leg muscles ofcamels have very short or even rudimentary muscle fibres. This makes it possible to calculate the elastic extensions of tendons that occur in running, from the leg positions observed in films. A series of experiments have been performed for this purpose on the dissected legs of a camel. The initial conclusions derived from them are modified in the light of estimates of the forces that act on the tendons, and of measurements of the elastic properties of one tendon. Evidence for movement at the intertarsal and tarso-metatarsal joints. and the corresponding joints of the fore leg, is examined. The importance of the various tendons as elastic energy stores in running is assessed.

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