Symmetrical gaits of primates

TLDR

Primates typically perform walking trot or diagonal‑sequence walks, with occasional lateral‑sequence gaits, and human children exhibit a similar spectrum from lateral‑sequence to walking trot, while non‑primates rarely use diagonal‑sequence walks. The study analyzed walking and symmetrical running gaits of 26 primate genera using numerical and graphical techniques on 1701 feet of 16‑mm film recorded at 64 fps. An infant macaque progressed from a lateral‑sequence to a diagonal‑sequence gait, and the study mapped typical support sequences and subtle foot‑placement asymmetries.

Abstract

Abstract Walking and symmetrical running gaits of 26 genera of primates are analyzed using numerical and graphical methods described previously. The raw data are 1701 feet of 16 mm motion picture film mostly exposed at 64 frames per second. Adult monkeys and apes usually use the walking trot or diagonal‐sequence walks. Individual monkeys occasionally use lateral‐sequence walks resembling those that are usual for human infants. Human children moving on hands and feet use gaits ranging from the walking pace through the lateral‐sequence walks to the walking trot. An infant macaque studied from age 17 hours to 96 days first walked with a lateral‐sequence, diagonal‐couplets gait and then gradually shifted to the diagonal‐sequence, diagonal‐couplets gait of the adult. Few non‐primates use the diagonal‐sequence walks which are typical of primates. Typical support sequences are figured. Relative placement of feet and consequent slight asymmetry are described.