Ontogenesis of contractile properties of skeletal muscle and sprint performance in the lizard Dipsosaurus dorsalis

Abstract

Ontogenetic allometries of running performance in 3- to 4-m burst runs (sprints) and of the contractile properties of the fast-twitch, glycolytic region of the iliofibularis muscle (FG-IF) were measured in Dipsosaurus dorsalis. This iguanid lizard hatches at a body mass of about 4 g and reaches adult masses of 40-70 g. Running velocity was little influenced by changes in body mass during development. Stride frequency (f) declines ontogenetically and was proportional to body mass (Mb) to approximately the -0.2 power (determined by regression analysis). Stride length (Ls) appeared to be related to the allometry of hindlimb length (LHL); both Ls and LHL were proportional to about Mb0.28. Intrinsic shortening velocity of the FG-IF decreased only slightly with increasing body mass, and was consequently not proportional to f as has been assumed by various models of running dynamics. In contrast, twitch time lengthened markedly with increasing body mass, and the ratio of twitch time to stride time remained approximately constant. These results suggest that the intrinsic velocity of the muscles does not directly or solely determine maximal f, but instead limb kinematics are determined in part by other biomechanical constraints related to body dimensions. Further, the allometry of twitch kinetics supports the idea that the properties of the muscles are adjusted to allow ample time for full activation and deactivation within the biomechanically determined stride time.