Madison Bradley-Cronkwright, Sarah Moore, Lily Hou, Susanne Cote, Campbell Rolian
Distantly related mammals (e.g. jerboa, tarsiers, kangaroos) have convergently evolved elongated hindlimbs relative to body size. Limb elongation is hypothesized to make these species more effective jumpers by increasing their kinetic energy output (through greater forces or acceleration distances), thereby increasing take-off velocity and jump distance. This hypothesis, however, has rarely been tested at the population level, where natural selection operates. We examined the relationship between limb length, muscular traits, and dynamics using Longshanks mice, which were selectively bred over 22 generations for longer tibiae...
April 18, 2024: Journal of Experimental Biology