Comparative Biomechanics: Lifestyles and Phylogeny

Comparative biomechanics studies how different animals move and function based on their physical structures, lifestyles, and evolutionary history. It examines how muscles, bones, and movement techniques are shaped by an animal’s way of life—such as running, flying, or swimming—and how these traits have evolved over time. For example, a cheetah's body is optimized for speed, while a dolphin's is for swimming efficiently. By comparing these features across species, scientists learn how evolution influences physical design and how different lifestyles drive adaptations within related groups.