scholarly journals Mechanosensation is evolutionarily tuned to locomotor mechanics

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (17) ◽  
pp. 4459-4464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett R. Aiello ◽  
Mark W. Westneat ◽  
Melina E. Hale
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Sensory Nerve ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Sensory Physiology ◽  
Fish Family ◽  
Phenotypic Characters ◽  
Behavioral Diversity ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Ray Bending

The biomechanics of animal limbs has evolved to meet the functional demands for movement associated with different behaviors and environments. Effective movement relies not only on limb mechanics but also on appropriate mechanosensory feedback. By comparing sensory ability and mechanics within a phylogenetic framework, we show that peripheral mechanosensation has evolved with limb biomechanics, evolutionarily tuning the neuromechanical system to its functional demands. We examined sensory physiology and mechanics of the pectoral fins, forelimb homologs, in the fish family Labridae. Labrid fishes exhibit extraordinary morphological and behavioral diversity and use pectoral fin-based propulsion with fins ranging in shape from high aspect ratio (AR) wing-like fins to low AR paddle-like fins. Phylogenetic character analysis demonstrates that high AR fins evolved independently multiple times in this group. Four pairs of species were examined; each included a plesiomorphic low AR and a high AR species. Within each species pair, the high AR species demonstrated significantly stiffer fin rays in comparison with the low AR species. Afferent sensory nerve activity was recorded during fin ray bending. In all cases, afferents of stiffer fins were more sensitive at lower displacement amplitudes, demonstrating mechanosensory tuning to fin mechanics and a consistent pattern of correlated evolution. We suggest that these data provide a clear example of parallel evolution in a complex neuromechanical system, with a strong link between multiple phenotypic characters: pectoral fin shape, swimming behavior, fin ray stiffness, and mechanosensory sensitivity.

PECTORAL FIN ASYMMETRY, DIMORPHISM AND FECUNDITY IN THE BROOK STICKLEBACK, CULAEA INCONSTANS

Behaviour ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 137 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 999-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Population ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Brook Stickleback ◽  
The Difference

AbstractSexual dimorphism in the pectoral fins of a C. inconstans population produces males whose fins are relatively larger than those of females. This difference may result from the unique demands placed on the fins during the male's courtship dance and fanning behaviour during the parental phase. Males and females are also dimorphic in terms of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of pectoral fin ray number, which is lowest in females. Females with symmetric fin ray counts averaged about 15% more eggs per clutch than females with asymmetric fin ray counts. The ovaries of symmetric females were an average 6.5% heavier than those of asymmetric fish. The difference in fecundity is statistically significant and similar in two samples collected from the same site and separated by a time span of 19 years. This is the first report of a correlation between FA and fecundity in a fish population.

scholarly journals Anatomy and Development of the Pectoral Fin Vascular Network in the Zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Paulissen ◽  
Daniel M. Castranova ◽  
Shlomo Krispin ◽  
Margaret C. Burns ◽  
Brant M. Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Network Formation ◽  
Vascular Network ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Vascular Plexuses ◽  
Stepwise Assembly

The pectoral fins of teleost fish are analogous structures to human forelimbs, and the developmental mechanisms directing their initial growth and patterning are conserved between fish and tetrapods. The forelimb vasculature is critical for limb function, and it appears to play important roles during development by promoting development of other limb structures, but the steps leading to its formation are poorly understood. In this study, we use high-resolution imaging to document the stepwise assembly of the zebrafish pectoral fin vasculature. We show that fin vascular network formation is a stereotyped, choreographed process that begins with the growth of an initial vascular loop around the pectoral fin. This loop connects to the dorsal aorta to initiate pectoral vascular circulation. Pectoral fin vascular development continues with concurrent formation of three elaborate vascular plexuses, one in the distal fin that becomes the fin ray vasculature and two near the base of the fin in association with the developing fin musculature. Our findings detail a complex yet highly choreographed series of steps involved in the development of a complete, functional organ-specific vascular network.

Design and Dynamic Modeling of a Flexible Feathering Joint for Robotic Fish Pectoral Fins

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaz Bazaz Behbahani ◽  
Xiaobo Tan
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Model ◽  
Robotic Fish ◽  
Power Stroke ◽  
Hydrodynamic Drag ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Flexible Joint ◽  
Blade Element Theory ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Flexible Part ◽  
Recovery Stroke

In this paper, we propose a novel design for a pectoral fin joint of a robotic fish. This joint uses a flexible part to enable the rowing pectoral fin to feather passively and thus reduce the hydrodynamic drag in the recovery stroke. On the other hand, a mechanical stopper allows the fin to maintain its motion prescribed by the servomotor in the power stroke. The design results in net thrust even when the fin is actuated symmetrically for the power and recovery strokes. A dynamic model for this joint and for a pectoral fin-actuated robotic fish involving such joints is presented. The pectoral fin is modeled as a rigid plate connected to the servo arm through a pair of torsional spring and damper that describes the flexible joint. The hydrodynamic force on the fin is evaluated with blade element theory, where all three components of the force are considered due to the feathering degree of freedom of the fin. Experimental results on robotic fish prototype are provided to support the effectiveness of the design and the presented dynamic model. We utilize three different joints (with different sizes and different flexible materials), produced with a multi-material 3D printer, and measure the feathering angles of the joints and the forward swimming velocities of the robotic fish. Good match between the model predictions and experimental data is achieved, and the advantage of the proposed flexible joint over a rigid joint, where the power and recovery strokes have to be actuated at different speeds to produce thrust, is demonstrated.

scholarly journals How (and why) fins turn into limbs: insights from anglerfish

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 87-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake V. DICKSON ◽  
Stephanie E. PIERCE
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Functional Significance ◽  
Vertebrate Evolution ◽  
Underlying Structure ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Musculoskeletal Anatomy

ABSTRACTThe fin-to-limb transition is heralded as one of the most important events in vertebrate evolution. Over the last few decades our understanding of how limbs evolved has significantly increased; but, hypotheses for why limbs evolved are still rather open. Fishes that engage their fins to ‘walk' along substrate may provide some perspective. The charismatic frogfishes are often considered to have the most limb-like fins, yet we still know little about their underlying structure. Here we reconstruct the pectoral fin musculoskeletal anatomy of the scarlet frogfish to identify adaptations that support fin-assisted walking behaviours. The data are compared to three additional anglerfish species: the oval batfish, which represents an independent acquisition of fin-assisted walking; and two pelagic deep-sea swimmers, the triplewart seadevil and ghostly seadevil. Our results clearly show broad musculoskeletal differences between the pectoral fins of swimming and walking anglerfish species. The frogfish and batfish have longer and more robust fins; larger, differentiated muscles; and better developed joints, including a reverse ball-and-socket glenoid joint and mobile ‘wrist'. Further, the frogfish and batfish show finer-scale musculoskeletal differences that align with their specific locomotor ecologies. Within, we discuss the functional significance of these anatomical features in relation to walking, the recurring evolution of similar adaptations in other substrate locomoting fishes, as well as the selective pressures that may underlie the evolution of limbs.

Gaidropsarus mauli a new species of three-bearded rockling (Gadiformes, Gadidae) from the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) and the Biscay Slope (Northeastern Atlantic)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4459 (2) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
MANUEL BISCOITO ◽  
LUIZ SALDANHA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Lucky Strike ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Mid Atlantic Ridge ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Northeastern Atlantic

Gaidropsarus mauli, new species, is described from the Lucky Strike Hydrothermal vent site (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) and from the Bay of Biscay. It is distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters such as the number of vertebrae, the size of the first dorsal-fin ray, the profile of the head and the shape of the snout, in dorsal view, the size and the position of the eyes, the length of the pelvic fins, the shape of the pectoral fins, and the length of the lateral line. A comparison with the other 13 valid species of the genus is presented. 

scholarly journals Development and Motion Testing of a Robotic Ray

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhui He ◽  
Yonghua Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Morphological Parameters ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Motion Patterns ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Control ◽  
Undulating Fin ◽  
Fin Shape

Biomimetics takes nature as a model for inspiration to immensely help abstract new principles and ideas to develop various devices for real applications. In order to improve the stability and maneuvering of biomimetic fish like underwater propulsors, we selected bluespotted ray that propel themselves by taking advantage of their pectoral fins as target. First, a biomimetic robotic undulating fin driven propulsor was built based on the simplified pectoral structure of living bluespotted ray. The mechanical structure and control circuit were then presented. The fin undulating motion patterns, fin ray angle, and fin shape to be investigated are briefly introduced. Later, the kinematic analysis of fin ray and the whole fin is discussed. The influence of various kinematic parameters and morphological parameters on the average propulsion velocity of the propulsor was analyzed. Finally, we conclude that the average propulsion velocity generally increases with the increase of kinematic parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and wavelength, respectively. Moreover, it also has a certain relationship with fin undulating motion patterns, fin ray angle, fin shape, and fin aspect ratio.

Thrust Production in Highly Flexible Pectoral Fins: A Computational Dissection

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas Ramakrishnan ◽  
Meliha Bozkurttas ◽  
Rajat Mittal ◽  
George V. Lauder
Keyword(s):  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Bluegill Sunfish ◽  
Robust Performance ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Thrust Production ◽  
Computational Dissection

AbstractBluegill sunfish pectoral fins represent a remarkable success in evolutionary terms as a means of propulsion in challenging environments. Attempts to mimic their design in the context of autonomous underwater vehicles have overwhelmingly relied on the analysis of steady swimming. Experimental observations of maneuvers reveal that the kinematics of fin and wake dynamics exhibit characteristics that are distinctly different from steady swimming. We present a computational analysis that compares, qualitatively and quantitatively, the wake hydrodynamics and performance of the bluegill sunfish pectoral fin for two modes of swimming: steady swimming and a yaw turn maneuver. It is in this context that we comment on the role that flexibility plays in the success of the pectoral fin as a versatile propulsor. Specifically, we assess the performance of the fin by conducting a “virtual dissection” where only a portion of fin is retained. Approximately 90% of peak thrust for steady swimming is recovered using only the dorsal half. This figure drops to 70% for the yaw turn maneuver. Our findings suggest that designs based on fin analysis that account for various locomotion modes can lead to more robust performance than those based solely on steady swimming.

VIII.—On the Pectoral Fin of Cœlacanthus

1901 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar D. Wellburn
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Geological Survey ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Anterior Border ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Anterior Half ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Fin Rays ◽  
Distal Border

Among the fossil fishes of the Talbragar Beds (Jurassic?) described by Dr. A. Smith Woodward in a memoir of the Geological Survey of New South Wales (1895), there is the ventral portion of the abdominal region of a Cœlacanth fish, having one of the pectoral fins well shown. The fin is shown in counterpart, and is thus described:— “It exhibits, as usual, the characteristic obtuse lobation and the large fringe of articulated attenuated dermal rays, and is unique in displaying some of the eudoskeletal supporting bones. These elements seem to have been well ossified, though with persistent cartilage internally. At the base of the fin there occurs a broken fragment of bone1 incapable of determination; but in the lobe of the fin itself there is a series of four well-defined, hourglass-shaped supports. Of these bones the anterior three are much elongated, and nearly equally slender, while the fourth is much more robust and expanded at its distal end. The four elements radiate from the anterior half of the base of the fin; and it seems very probable that some smaller cartilage behind and near the distal border of the lobe have disappeared from lack of ossification. The fin-rays gradually increase in length from the anterior border to the middle of the lobe, whence they decrease again backwards, and finally become extremely delicate.”

scholarly journals Scorpaena decemradiata new species (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea, a species distinct from Scorpaena porcus

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Ronald Fricke ◽  
Daniel Golani ◽  
Brenda Appelbaum-Golani ◽  
Uwe Zajonz
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Gulf Of Aqaba ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Lower Jaw ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Fin Rays ◽  
Northern Red Sea ◽  
Scorpaena Porcus

The scorpionfish Scorpaena decemradiata n. sp. is described from off the coast of Israel in the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea. The new species is similar to S. porcus Linnaeus, 1758, but is characterized by dorsal fin spines XII, soft dorsal fin rays 10 (the last divided at base); pectoral fin rays 16, uppermost branched pectoral fin ray is the second; lacrimal with 2 spines over maxilla that point at nearly right angle from each other, the posterior pointing ventrally and slightly anteriorly; occipital pit well developed; anteriormost mandibular lateral-line pores small, separated; scales ctenoid; 59-62 scale rows in longitudinal series; scales absent on chest and pectoral fin base; and cirri developed over entire head and body, but no cirri on lower jaw. An updated checklist of the species of the genus Scorpaena Linnaeus, 1758 and a key to the species of the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea are presented.

Quebecius quebecensis (Whiteaves), a porolepiform crossopterygian (Pisces) from the Late Devonian of Quebec, Canada

1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2351-2361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Peter Schultze ◽  
Marius Arsenault
Keyword(s):  
Ventral Side ◽  
The Body ◽  
Late Devonian ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Median Fins ◽  
Pelvic Fin

Quebecius quebecensis (Whiteaves 1889) is a porolepiform crossopterygian related to Glyptolepis. A large nariodal, a large tabular, a separate intertemporal, and a large fused nasosupraorbital are features of Quebecius that characterize it as a porolepiform. The small size of the operculum, median extrascapular larger than the lateral one, small lower squamosals, and deep maxilla are additional features separating Quebecius from Glyptolepis. As in Glyptolepis, the median fins are not lobed. The pectoral fin possesses a long fleshy lobe. The internal, ventral side of the broadly based pelvic fin suggests that the internal axis has shifted towards the body. Pectoral fins with a long fleshy lobe are a common feature of porolepiforms, but lobed bases in the pelvic and unpaired fins are a feature found in Holoptychius, and not in Glyptolepis and Quebecius. Quebecius quebecensis is conspecific with Quebecius williamsi Schultze 1973, mistakenly described as an onychodont crossopterygian.

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