Accelerometer-derived activity correlates with volitional swimming speed in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 645-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Thiem ◽  
J.W. Dawson ◽  
A.C. Gleiss ◽  
E.G. Martins ◽  
A. Haro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Storage ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Body Acceleration ◽  
Data Storage Tags ◽  
Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration ◽  
Tail Beat

Quantifying fine-scale locomotor behaviours associated with different activities is challenging for free-swimming fish. Biologging and biotelemetry tools can help address this problem. An open channel flume was used to generate volitional swimming speed (Us) estimates of cultured lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817) and these were paired with simultaneously recorded accelerometer-derived metrics of activity obtained from three types of data-storage tags. This study examined whether a predictive relationship could be established between four different activity metrics (tail-beat frequency (TBF), tail-beat acceleration amplitude (TBAA), overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), and vectorial dynamic body acceleration (VeDBA)) and the swimming speed of A. fulvescens. Volitional Us of sturgeon ranged from 0.48 to 2.70 m·s−1 (0.51–3.18 body lengths (BL)·s−1). Swimming speed increased linearly with all accelerometer-derived metrics, and when all tag types were combined, Us increased 0.46 BL·s−1 for every 1 Hz increase in TBF, and 0.94, 0.61, and 0.94 BL·s−1 for every 1g increase in TBAA, ODBA, and VeDBA, respectively. Predictive relationships varied among tag types and tag-specific parameter estimates of Us are presented for all metrics. This use of acceleration data-storage tags demonstrated their applicability for the field quantification of sturgeon swimming speed.

Kinematics of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, at cruising speeds

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 2137-2141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Critical Swimming Speed ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Median Fins ◽  
Swimming Kinematics ◽  
Tail Beat

Lake sturgeon, 15.7 cm in total length, have a 2-min critical swimming speed of 38.6 ± 4.2 cm∙s−1 (2.45 body lengths∙s−1) at 15 °C. Tail beat frequency (ƒ, Hz), amplitude (a, cm), and propulsive wavelength (λ, cm) increased linearly with swimming speed (U, cm∙s−1), according to the following equations: ƒ = 1.67 + 0.07 U, a = 3.2 + 0.020 U, and λ = 11.0 + 0.039 U. Tail depth and the cosine of the angle of the tail with the axis of motion were independent of swimming speed with mean values of 1.96 ± 0.08 cm and 0.7 ± 0.08, respectively. Swimming kinematics were generally similar to those of teleosts and anuran larvae, implying that body and caudal fin propulsive movements are conservative among actinopterygians and tetrapods. Swimming patterns did not provide for interactions between median fins that are considered to be important to shark swimming. The thrust generated by swimming sturgeon averages 82% that of trout of similar size, although the surface area of sturgeon is substantially lower. Therefore, drag per unit area of sturgeon is 3.5 times that of other actinopterygians, presumably because of the presence of scutes.

Treading water: respirometer choice may hamper comparative studies of energetics in fishes

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karissa O. Lear ◽  
Nicholas M. Whitney ◽  
Lauran R. Brewster ◽  
Adrian C. Gleiss
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Lower Stress ◽  
Free Swimming ◽  
Negaprion Brevirostris ◽  
Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration ◽  
Tail Beat

Measuring the metabolic rate of animals is an essential part of understanding their ecology, behaviour and life history. Respirometry is the standard method of measuring metabolism in fish, but different respirometry methods and systems can result in disparate measurements of metabolic rate, a factor often difficult to quantify. Here we directly compare the results of two of the most common respirometry systems used in elasmobranch studies, a Steffensen-style flume respirometer and an annular static respirometer. Respirometry trials with juvenile lemon sharks Negaprion brevirostris were run in both systems under the same environmental conditions and using the same individuals. Relationships between metabolic rate, swimming speed, overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) and tail beat frequency (TBF) were compared between the two systems. The static respirometer elicited higher TBF and ODBA for a given swimming speed compared with the flume respirometer, although it produced relationships between kinematic parameters that were more similar to those observed in free-swimming animals. Metabolic rates and swimming speeds were higher for the flume respirometer. Therefore, although flume respirometers are necessary for many types of controlled laboratory studies, static respirometers may elicit lower stress and produce results that are more applicable to fish in wild systems.

scholarly journals Validating Star-Oddi heart rate and acceleration data storage tags for use in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Amanda Zrini ◽  
A. Kurt Gamperl
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Diurnal Rhythms ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Axial Acceleration ◽  
Data Storage Tags ◽  
Response To Temperature

Abstract Background Data storage tags (DSTs) record and store information about animals and their environment, and can provide important data relevant to fish culture, ecology and conservation. A DST has recently been developed that records heart rate (fH), electrocardiograms (ECGs), tri-axial acceleration and temperature. However, at the time of this study, no research using these tags had been performed on fish or determined the quality of the data collected. Thus, our research asked: do these DSTs provide reliable and meaningful data? To examine this question, Atlantic salmon (1.4 ± 0.7 kg) were implanted with DSTs, then swam at increasing speeds in a swim tunnel after 1 week of recovery. Further, in two separate experiments, salmon (2.4 ± 0.1 kg) were implanted with DSTs and held in a large tank with conspecifics for 1 week at 11 °C or 6 weeks at 8–12 °C. Results External acceleration (EA) and variation in EA (VAR) increased exponentially with swimming speed and tail beat frequency. The quality index (QI) assigned to ECG recordings (where QI0 means very good quality, and QI1, QI2 and QI3 are of reduced quality) did not change significantly with increasing swimming speed (QI0 ~ 60–80%). However, we found that the accuracy of the tag algorithm in estimating fH from ECGs was reduced when QI>0. Diurnal patterns of fH and EA were evident from the time the salmon were placed in the tank. Heart rate appeared to stabilize by ~ 4 days post-surgery in the first experiment, but extended holding showed that fH declined for 2–3 weeks. During extended holding, the tag had difficulty recording low fH values < 30 bpm, and for this reason, in addition to the fact that the algorithm can miscalculate fH, it is highly recommended that ECGs be saved when possible for quality control and so that fH values with QI>0 can be manually calculated. Conclusions With these DSTs, parameters of acceleration can be used to monitor the activity of free-swimming salmon. Further, changes in fH and heart rate variability (HRV) due to diurnal rhythms, and in response to temperature, activity and stressors, can be recorded.

THE EFFECT OF SOLID AND POROUS CHANNEL WALLS ON STEADY SWIMMING OF STEELHEAD TROUT ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Regression Coefficients ◽  
Steelhead Trout ◽  
Wall Effects ◽  
Fish Swimming ◽  
Wide Channel ◽  
Solid Walls ◽  
Tail Beat

Kinematics and steady swimming performance were recorded for steelhead trout (approximately 12.2 cm in total length) swimming in channels 4.5, 3 and 1.6 cm wide in the centre of a flume 15 cm wide. Channel walls were solid or porous. Tail-beat depth and the length of the propulsive wave were not affected by spacing of either solid or porous walls. The product of tail-beat frequency, F, and amplitude, H, was related to swimming speed, u, and to harmonic mean distance of the tail from the wall, z. For solid walls: FH = 1.01(+/−0.31)u0.67(+/−0.09)z(0.12+/−0.02) and for grid walls: FH = 0.873(+/−0.302)u0.74(+/−0.08)z0.064(+/−0.024), where +/−2 s.e. are shown for regression coefficients. Thus, rates of working were smaller for fish swimming between solid walls, but the reduction due to wall effects decreased with increasing swimming speed. Porous grid walls had less effect on kinematics, except at low swimming speeds. Spacing of solid walls did not affect maximum tail-beat frequency, but maximum tail-beat amplitude decreased with smaller wall widths. Maximum tail-beat amplitude similarly decreased with spacing between grid walls, but maximum tail-beat frequency increased. Walls also reduced maximum swimming speed. Wall effects have not been adequately taken into account in most studies of fish swimming in flumes and fish wheels.

The Kinematics of Swimming in Larvae of the Clawed Frog, Xenopus Laevis

1986 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
KARIN VON SECKENDORFF HOFF ◽  
RICHARD JOEL WASSERSUG
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Anuran Larvae ◽  
Tail Beat

The kinematics of swimming in larval Xenopus laevis has been studied using computer-assisted analysis of high-speed (200 frames s−1) ciné records. The major findings are as follows. 1. At speeds below 6 body lengths (L) per second, tail beat frequency is approximately 10 Hz and, unlike for most aquatic vertebrates, is not correlated with specific swimming speed. At higher speeds, tail beat frequency and speed are positively correlated. 2. Xenopus tadpoles show an increase in the maximum amplitude of the tail beat with increasing velocity up to approximately 6Ls−1. Above that speed amplitude approaches an asymptote at 20 % of body length. 3. Anterior yaw is absent at velocities below 6Ls−1, unlike for other anuran larvae, but is present at higher speeds. 4. At speeds below 6Ls−1 there is a positive linear relationship between length of the propulsive wave (λ) and specific swimming speed. At higher speeds wavelength is constant at approximately 0.8L. 5. There is a shift in the modulation of wavelength and tail beat frequency with swimming speed around 5.6Ls−1, suggesting two different swimming modes. The slower mode is used during open water cruising and suspension feeding. The faster, sprinting mode may be used to avoid predators. 6. Froude efficiencies are similar to those reported for fishes and other anuran larvae. 7. Unlike Rana and Bufo larvae, the axial muscle mass of Xenopus increases dramatically with size from less than 10% of total mass for the smallest animals to more than 45% of total mass for the largest animals. This increase is consistent with maintaining high locomotor performance throughout development.

Effects of longitudinal body position and swimming speed on mechanical power of deep red muscle from skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

2002 ◽  
Vol 205 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-200
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Syme ◽  
Robert E. Shadwick
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Skipjack Tuna ◽  
Cycle Frequency ◽  
Katsuwonus Pelamis ◽  
Red Muscle ◽  
Tail Beat ◽  
Work Loop

SUMMARY The mechanical power output of deep, red muscle from skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) was studied to investigate (i) whether this muscle generates maximum power during cruise swimming, (ii) how the differences in strain experienced by red muscle at different axial body locations affect its performance and (iii) how swimming speed affects muscle work and power output. Red muscle was isolated from approximately mid-way through the deep wedge that lies next to the backbone; anterior (0.44 fork lengths, ANT) and posterior (0.70 fork lengths, POST) samples were studied. Work and power were measured at 25°C using the work loop technique. Stimulus phases and durations and muscle strains (±5.5 % in ANT and ±8 % in POST locations) experienced during cruise swimming at different speeds were obtained from previous studies and used during work loop recordings. In addition, stimulus conditions that maximized work were determined. The stimulus durations and phases yielding maximum work decreased with increasing cycle frequency (analogous to tail-beat frequency), were the same at both axial locations and were almost identical to those used by the fish during swimming, indicating that the muscle produces near-maximal work under most conditions in swimming fish. While muscle in the posterior region undergoes larger strain and thus produces more mass-specific power than muscle in the anterior region, when the longitudinal distribution of red muscle mass is considered, the anterior muscles appear to contribute approximately 40 % more total power. Mechanical work per length cycle was maximal at a cycle frequency of 2–3 Hz, dropping to near zero at 15 Hz and by 20–50 % at 1 Hz. Mechanical power was maximal at a cycle frequency of 5 Hz, dropping to near zero at 15 Hz. These fish typically cruise with tail-beat frequencies of 2.8–5.2 Hz, frequencies at which power from cyclic contractions of deep red muscles was 75–100 % maximal. At any given frequency over this range, power using stimulation conditions recorded from swimming fish averaged 93.4±1.65 % at ANT locations and 88.6±2.08 % at POST locations (means ± s.e.m., N=3–6) of the maximum using optimized conditions. When cycle frequency was held constant (4 Hz) and strain amplitude was increased, work and power increased similarly in muscles from both sample sites; work and power increased 2.5-fold when strain was elevated from ±2 to ±5.5 %, but increased by only approximately 12 % when strain was raised further from ±5.5 to ±8 %. Taken together, these data suggest that red muscle fibres along the entire body are used in a similar fashion to produce near-maximal mechanical power for propulsion during normal cruise swimming. Modelling suggests that the tail-beat frequency at which power is maximal (5 Hz) is very close to that used at the predicted maximum aerobic swimming speed (5.8 Hz) in these fish.

Advances in Fisheries Bioengineering

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Shovelnose Sturgeon ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Fish Ladder ◽  
Juvenile Sturgeon ◽  
Sturgeon Species

<em>Abstract</em>.—Fish ladder designs that pass adult sturgeons are poorly studied. This is partly due to difficulties associated with obtaining and testing large adults. To learn about behavior and swimming of sturgeons in fish ladder environments, we observed juvenile lake sturgeon <em>Acipenser fulvescens </em>to determine the type of ladder opening that fish passed best. We also constructed a short fish ladder (6% slope) using the best opening type and determined the general usefulness of the ladder design to pass juvenile lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon <em>Scaphirhynchus albus </em>and shovelnose sturgeon <EM>S</EM>. <em>platorynchus</em>. Lake sturgeon swam upstream through orifice and vertical openings better than through surface weir or weir and orifice openings. Because 37% of the fish hit the orifice when swimming upstream, and also, sturgeon could be damaged passing downstream through an orifice, we focused on testing a ladder design with vertical openings. A side-baffle ladder design that created vertical openings that alternated from side to side showed promise at passing the three species of sturgeons. All lake sturgeons (<EM>N </EM>= 15), most pallid sturgeons (12 of 22 fish, 55%), and 1 of 3 shovelnose sturgeons ascended the side-baffle design. Also, all sturgeon species moved safely downstream in the side-baffle ladder by passively drifting tail-first. Mean velocity in side-baffle openings was 60–75 cm/s, so sturgeons could use prolonged swimming speed to swim upstream. Vertical openings were wide enough for fish to partially erect their pectoral fins, likely a critical factor for maintaining balance. Our observations suggest that a ladder for adults should have vertical openings, enable fish to swim continuously and not stop at cross-channel barriers, have resting areas, enable fish to safely drift downstream, and enable fish to swim upstream using prolonged swim speed. The study of juvenile sturgeon behavior and swimming ability can contribute to developing a fish ladder for adults. This approach to fish ladder development can be used for other species with large adults.

The Kinematics of Swimming in Anuran Larvae

1985 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD J. WASSERSUG ◽  
KARIN VON SECHENDORF HOFF
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Lateral Movement ◽  
Posterior Portion ◽  
Tadpole Tail ◽  
Axial Musculature ◽  
Tail Beat

The kinematics of swimming in tadpoles from four species of anurans (Rana catesbeiana Shaw, Rana septentrionalis Baird, Rana clamitans Latreille and Bufo americanus Holbrook) was studied using computer-assisted analysis of high speed (≥200 frames s−1) ciné records. 1. Tadpoles exhibit the same positive, linear relationship between tail beat frequency and specific swimming speed commonly reported for subcarangiform fishes. 2. Tadpoles show an increase in the maximum amplitude of the tail beat with increasing swimming speed up to approximately 4 lengths s−1. Above 4 lengths s−1, amplitude approaches an asymptote at approximately 25 % of length. 3. Tadpoles with relatively longer tails have lower specific amplitudes. 4. Froude efficiencies for tadpoles are similar to those reported for most subcarangiform fishes. 5. Bufo larvae tend to have higher specific maximum amplitude, higher tail beat frequencies, lower propeller efficiencies (at least at intermediate speeds) and substantially less axial musculature than do comparable-sized Rana larvae. These differences may relate to the fact that Bufo larvae are noxious to many potential predators and consequently need not rely solely on locomotion for defence. 6. Tadpoles exhibit larger amounts of lateral movement at the snout than do most adult fishes. 7. The point of least lateral movement during swimming in tadpoles is at the level of the semi-circular canals, as assumed in models on the evolution of the vertebrate inner ear. 8. Passive oscillation of anaesthetized and curarized tadpoles at the base of their tail produces normal kinematics in the rest of the tail. This supports the idea that muscular activity in the posterior, tapered portion of the tadpole tail does not serve a major role in thrust production during normal, straightforward swimming at constant velocity. 9. The angle of incidence and lateral velocity of the tail tip as it crosses the path of motion are not consistent with theoretical predictions of how thrust should be generated. The same parameters evaluated at the high point of the tail fin (approximately midtail) suggest that that portion of the tail generates thrust most effectively. 10. Ablation of the end of the tail in passively oscillated tadpoles confirms that the terminal portion of the tadpole tail serves to reduce excessive amplitude in the more anterior portion of the tail, where most thrust is generated. 11. The posterior portion of the tail is important in reducing turbulence around a tadpole. It may also function to produce thrust during irregular, intricate movements, such as swimming backwards. 12. Tadpoles are comparable to subcarangiform fishes of similar size in their maximum swimming speed and mechanical efficiency, despite the fact that they have much less axial musculature and lack the elaborate skeletal elements that stiffen the fins in fishes. The simple shape of the tadpole tail appears to allow these animals efficient locomotion over short distances and high manoeuvrability, while maintaining the potential for rapid morphological change at metamorphosis.

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