SIMULATION OF CHELONIAN HIND-LIMB REFLEX MOVEMENTS

A model of the hind limb of the terrapin, devoid of sensory feedback, but which is capable of producing realistic reflex movements is presented. It is shown that very small adjustments of the activation pattern of the muscles (the input of the model) are sufficient to correct the movement for different starting positions or to different targets. Mechanical disturbances of the movement can also be simulated. Comparisons with experimental tests with the same sorts of disturbance were done to try and determine if the real system possesses feedback which tries to adjust to the disturbance. Since the simulations of disturbed movements predict fairly well the experimental movements we are drawn to the conclusion that the movement takes place by means of a pattern generator and no compensation against disturbances is present. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.