My research interest is at the interface between evolution and fluid dynamics. I use aerodynamics or hydrodynamics to make testable predictions about the designs of flying or swimming animals. I then use experimental and comparative techniques to explore the pathways of evolution under constraints imposed by the physical environment and biomechanics. Publications since 2001
Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2011). Operation of the alula as an indicator of gear change in hoverflies, J. Roy. Soc. Interface. Published online before print November 9, 2011. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2011.0617
Carruthers, A. C., Thomas, A. L. R., Walker, S. M. & Taylor, G. K. (2010). Mechanics and aerodynamics of perching manoeuvres in a large bird of prey. Aero. J. 114, 673-680.
Carruthers, A. C., Walker, S. M., Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2010). Aerodynamics of aerofoil sections measured on a free-flying bird. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part G - J. Aerosp. Eng. 224, 855-864. doi:10.1243/09544100JAERO737
Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2010). Deformable wing kinematics in free-flying hoverflies. J. Roy. Soc. Interface. 7, 131-142. Published online before print May 15, 2009. doi:10.1098/rsif.2009.0120
Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2009). Deformable wing kinematics in the desert locust: how and why do camber, twist and topography vary through the stroke?. J. Roy. Soc. Interface 6, 735-747. Published online before print December 16, 2008, 10.1098/rsif.2008.0435
Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2009). Photogrammetric reconstruction of high-resolution surface topographies and deformable wing kinematics of tethered locusts and free-flying hoverflies. J. Roy. Soc. Interface 6, 351-366. Published online before print August 5, 2008, 10.1098/rsif.2008.0245
Taylor, G. K., Bacic, M., Bomphrey, R. J., Carruthers, A. C., Gillies, J., Walker, S. M. & Thomas, A. L. R. (2008). New experimental approaches to the biology of flight control systems. J. Exp. Biol. 211, 258-266. doi: 10.1242/jeb.012625
Carruthers, A. C., Thomas, A. L. R. & Taylor, G. K. (2007). Automatic aeroelastic devices in the wings of a Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis. J. Exp. Biol. 210, 4136-4149. doi: 10.1242/jeb.011197
Bomphrey, R. J., Lawson, N. J., Taylor, G. K., & Thomas, A. L. R. (2005). Digital particle image velocimetry measurements of the downwash distribution of a desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. J. Roy. Soc. Interface Published Online doi:10.1098/rsif.2005.0090
Bomphrey, R. J., Harding, N. J., Lawson, N. J., Taylor, G. K., & Thomas, A. L. R. (2005). The aerodynamics of Manduca sexta: digital particle image velocimetry of the leading-edge vortex, J. Exp. Biol., 208, 1079–1094. doi:10.1242/jeb.01471
Nudds, R. L., Taylor, G. K. and Thomas, A. L. R. (2004). Tuning of Strouhal number for high propulsive efficiency predicts how wingbeat frequency and stroke amplitude relate and scale with size and flight speed in birds, Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B, 271, 2071–2076. doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2838
Thomas, A. L. R., Taylor, G. K., Srygley, R. B., Nudds, R. L. & Bomphrey, R. J. (2004). Dragonfly flight: free-flight and tethered flow visualizations reveal a diverse array of unsteady lift-generating mechanisms, controlled primarily via angle of attack. J. Exp. Biol. 207, 4299-4323. doi:10.1242/jeb.01262
Thomas, A. L. R. & Srygley, R. B. (2002). Unconventional lift-generating mechanisms in free-flying butterflies. Nature 420, 660-664. doi:10.1038/nature01223
Taylor, G. K. and Thomas, A. L. R. (2002). Animal flight dynamics II. Longitudinal stability in flapping flight, J. theor. Biol., 214, 351–370. doi:10.1006/jtbi.2001.2470
Thomas, A. L. R. and Taylor, G. K. (2001). Animal flight dynamics I. Stability in gliding flight, J. theor. Biol., 212, 399–324. doi:10.1006/jtbi.2001.2387
