Central Pattern Generators for Quadrupedal Arboreal Locomotion of Chipmunks [Tamias Sibiricus]

Locomotion requires to coordinated periodic movements of muscles and ligaments, which in turn requires periodic firings of neurons. The patterns are self-generated and do not depend on external stimulus. The corresponding oscillators are known as central pattern generators [CPG]. The CPGs for fore- and hind limb movement have been studied quite extensively in the literature. We focus on CPGs for the motion of the trunk, head, and tail of chipmunks. We observe wave-like behavior, which generates the angular momentum about the mediolateral axis necessary for dynamic, rather than static, stability.