The effect of size on the kinematics and performance of angelfish (Pterophyllum eimekei) escape responses

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 2319-2326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Domenici ◽  
Robert W. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Escape Responses ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Strike Angle

Angelfish (Pterophyllum eimekei) employ two types of fast-starts, single bend (SB) and double bend (DB). Higher performance (distance travelled, velocity, acceleration) and smaller angles of turn are found in DB responses than in SB responses. The percentage of DB responses is inversely related to body size. Small fish employ DB responses for all escape angles, whereas larger fish commonly show SB responses. This is due to a decrease in maximum DB escape angles for larger fish. Escape angles for pooled SB and DB responses are size-independent. Distance covered within a given time, maximum velocity, and maximum acceleration for pooled SB and DB responses are size-independent. With the exception of the smallest fish, angelfish show submaximal performance when making large turns. We suggest that angelfish employ a particular type of response depending on their predators' strike angle. Extremely small and large fish use principally DB and SB responses, respectively. The employment of SB and DB responses in small and large fish, respectively, may be restricted to a narrow range of predator strike angles.

Pectoral fin locomotion in the striped surfperch. II. Scaling swimming kinematics and performance at a gait transition

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (10) ◽  
pp. 2243-2252 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Drucker ◽  
J Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Maximal Velocity ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Gait Transition ◽  
Transition Speed ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
And Performance

In this study, we report the first allometric equations relating gait parameters and swimming speed to body size for fish employing pectoral fin locomotion. Comparisons of locomotor kinematics and performance among striped surfperch (Teleostei: Embiotocidae) are made at the pectoral­caudal gait transition speed (Up-c). Up-c is considered to elicit physiologically equivalent levels of exercise in animals varying over 100-fold in body mass (Mb) by virtue of dynamically similar pectoral fin movements (constant duty factor, length-specific stride length and fin-beat amplitude) and size-independent propulsive efficiency. At Up-c, pectoral fin-beat frequency scales in proportion to Mb-0.12±0.03, a size-dependence consistent with that observed for stride frequency in fishes swimming by axial undulatory propulsion and in many running tetrapods. It is proposed that the similarity in the scaling of frequency in these vertebrate groups reflects an underlying similarity in the allometry of the maximal velocity of muscle shortening. Absolute Up-c (m s-1) generally increases with body size, but the fastest speeds are not exhibited by the largest animals. A pattern of declining performance in fish 23 cm in standard length and longer may be related to their disproportionately small fin areas and aspect ratios. The pronounced negative allometry of Up-c expressed as standard body lengths per second indicates that a given length-specific speed does not induce comparable levels of activity in large and small fish. Thus, normalization of swimming speed to body length may not be a sufficient correction for kinematic comparisons across size.

Pectoral fin locomotion in the striped surfperch. I. Kinematic effects of swimming speed and body size

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (10) ◽  
pp. 2235-2242 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Drucker ◽  
J Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Pectoral Fin ◽  
Transition Speed ◽  
Speed Up

Swimming trials at increasing velocity were used to determine the effects of steady swimming speed on pectoral fin kinematics for an ontogenetic series of striped surfperch Embiotoca lateralis, ranging from 6 to 23 cm in standard length (SL). The fin stroke cycle consisted of a propulsive period, the duration of fin abduction and adduction, and a 'refractory' period, during which the fin remained adducted against the body. Pectoral fin-beat frequency (fp) measured as the inverse of the entire stride period, as in past studies, increased curvilinearly with speed. Frequency, calculated as the reciprocal of the propulsive period alone, increased linearly with speed, as shown previously for tail-beat frequency of fishes employing axial undulation. Fin-beat amplitude, measured as the vertical excursion of the pectoral fin tip during abduction, increased over a limited range of low speeds before reaching a plateau at 0.35­0.40 SL. Pectoral fin locomotion was supplemented by intermittent caudal fin undulation as swimming speed increased. At the pectoral­caudal gait transition speed (Up-c), frequency and amplitude attained maxima, suggesting that the fin musculature reached a physiological limit. The effects of body size on swimming kinematics differed according to the method used for expressing speed. At a given absolute speed, small fish used higher stride frequencies and increased frequency at a faster rate than large fish. In contrast, the relationship between fp and length-specific speed (SL s-1) had a greater slope for large fish and crossed that for small fish at high speeds. We recommend that comparisons across size be made using speeds expressed as a percentage of Up-c, at which kinematic variables influencing thrust are size-independent.

scholarly journals The relation between concentrations of ovarian trace elements and the body size of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1191-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bang ◽  
P. Grønkjær ◽  
B. Lorenzen
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Size Category ◽  
Linear Discriminant

Abstract Bang, A., Grønkjær, P., and Lorenzen, B. 2008. The relation between concentrations of ovarian trace elements and the body size of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1191–1197. Trace metals in the ovaries of fish are transferred from the female via the yolk to the offspring, which makes the early life stages susceptible to deleterious effects of potentially toxic elements contained in the ovaries. Here, the concentrations of 13 elements from the ovaries of 133 ripe female North Sea cod Gadus morhua weighing 0.2–18 kg were correlated with female size, accounting for differences in maturity and condition. Most elements were negatively correlated with the size variables weight, length and, especially, ovarian dry weight. Further, they were negatively correlated with maturity and condition. Many of the trace elements showed true size-dependence, but the correlations were generally weak. A linear discriminant analysis separated “small” and “large” fish at a length of 85 cm based on concentrations of Co, Mn, Se, and Zn, and correctly assigned 78 of 102 small fish and 23 of 31 large fish to their respective size category. This corresponds to an overall classification success of 75.9%. The results suggest that embryos and early larvae from small females are exposed to higher levels of potentially harmful metals. If the differences in trace element concentration influence survival success, this will add to the negative effects of size distribution truncation and declines in size-at-maturity experienced by many populations of cod.

The kinematics and performance of escape responses of the knifefish Xenomystus nigri

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Kasapi ◽  
P. Domenici ◽  
R. W. Blake ◽  
D. Harper
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Longitudinal Axis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Morphological Specialization ◽  
Escape Responses ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Stage 1

The kinematics and performance of the escape responses of the knifefish Xenomystus nigri, a fish specialized for low-speed, undulatory median-fin propulsion, were recorded by means of high-speed cinematography. Two types of escape were observed, one involving the formation of a C-shape along the longitudinal axis of the fish (stage 1), followed by a slow recoil of the body (single bend); the other (double bend) involved stage 1 followed by a contralateral bend (stage 2). The pectoral fins were extended throughout escapes of both types. The average maximum acceleration for double bend escapes was 127.98 m∙s−2; acceleration was usually greatest in stage 1. In double bend escapes, turning angles for stages 1 and 2 were not correlated. Pitch and roll orientations change during escapes. In stage 1, the average roll and average pitch were linearly correlated, suggesting that roll was partly responsible for establishing pitch. Knifefish achieved high maximum acceleration relative to other fish. Therefore, performance was not compromised by morphological specialization for low-speed swimming; however, a negative correlation of pitch with acceleration in stage 1 suggested that escapes involve a trade-off between acceleration and confusing a predator by changing planar orientation.

Fast-start Performance and Body Form in Seven Species of Teleost Fish

1978 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. WEBB
Keyword(s):  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Body Form ◽  
Fast Start ◽  
Major Variable ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Depth Enhancement

Fast-start kinematics and performance were determined for Etheostoma caeruleum, Cottus cognatus, Notropis cornutus, Lepomis macrochirus, Perca flavescens, Salmo gairdneri and a hybrid Esox sp. at an acclimation and test temperature of 15 °C. Normal three-stage kinematic patterns were observed for all species. Fast-start movements were similar in all species, except Lepomis, which had slightly higher amplitudes than expected for its length. The duration of kinematic stages was a major variable among the seven species but was a linear function of length. Acceleration rates were not functions of size. Maximum acceleration rates ranged from 22-7 to 39-5 m. s−2 with mean rates from 6.1 to 12.3 m.s−2 averaged to the completion of kinematic stage 2. Maximum velocity and distance covered in each fast-start stage varied among species but were related to length. Fast-start performance depended primarily on compromise between muscle mass as a percentage of body mass, and lateral body and fin profile. Optimal profiles provide large depth distant from the centre of mass to maximize thrust, and anterior depth enhancement to minimize recoil. The body form of Lepomis is considered optimal for multiple swimming modes.

The Kinematics and Performance of the Escape Response in the Angelfish (Pterophyllum Eimekei)

1991 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAOLO DOMENICI ◽  
ROBERT W. BLAKE
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Subsequent Stage ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Turning Angle ◽  
Time Performance ◽  
Escape Angle ◽  
Escape Responses ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
Direction Opposite

The kinematics of turning manoeuvres and the distance-time performance in escape responses of startled angelfish (Pterophyllum eimekei) are investigated employing high-speed cinematography (400 Hz). All escape responses observed are C-type fast-starts, in which the fish assumes a C shape at the end of the initial body contraction (stage 1). Kinematic analysis of the subsequent stage (stage 2) allows the response to be classified into two types: single bend (SB), in which the tail does not recoil completely after the formation of the C, and double bend (DB), in which it does. The two types of response have different total escape angles (measured from the subsequent positions of the centre of mass, SB 120.0°; DB 73.3°, P<0.005), different stage 2 turning angles (in the same direction as stage 1 for SB, 11.0°; in the direction opposite to stage 1 for DB, −21.9°: P<0.0005) and different maximum angular velocities in the direction opposite to the initial one (SB −8.08 rad s−1; DB −56.62 rad s−1: P<0.001). There are no significant differences in stage 1 kinematics for the two types of escape. Stage 1 turning angle is linearly correlated to stage 2 turning angle for DB only (P<0.01; r2=0.60) and to total escape angle for both types of response (P<0.0001; r2=0.80). Stage 1 duration is linearly correlated to stage 1 turning angle (P<0.0001; r2=0.83) and to total escape angle (P<0.0001; r2=0.72) for both types of escape. Distance-time performance is also different in the two response types, mainly because of differences in stage 2 (maximum velocity for SB 0.99 ms−1; maximum velocity for DB 1.53 ms−1: maximum acceleration for SB 34.1 ms−2; maximum acceleration for DB 74.7 ms−2: P<0.0001 in both cases). As a result, there are significant differences in the performance throughout the whole response (maximum velocity 1.02 ms−1 and 1.53 ms−1 for SB and DB fast-starts, respectively; maximum acceleration 63.2 ms−2 and 91.9 ms−2 for SB and DB fast-starts, respectively) as well as within a fixed time (0.03 s). Overall, higher distance-time performances associated with smaller angles of turn are found in DB than in SB responses. Comparison with previous studies reveals that angelfish have a good fast-start performance despite specializations for low-speed swimming. In addition, the angelfish turning radius (0.065±0.0063 L, where L is body length; mean±2 S.E.) is lower than that previously reported for any fish.

Size Changes, Mortality, and Equilibrium Yields in an Exploited Stock of American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

1969 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1205-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Powles
Keyword(s):  
Mesh Size ◽  
Food Competition ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Otter Trawl ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Age Composition ◽  
Instantaneous Rate ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ecological Dominance

Records from research surveys and commercial landings for American plaice from the Magdalen Shallows, or the southwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence, showed decreases in percentage of old, large fish and in catch per unit of effort from 1955 to 1962. The changes in age composition were clearly relatable to the fishery, which was mainly by otter trawl. Ricker models indicated that wastage of deck-exposed subcommercial plaice is currently a greater mortality factor than predation by cod. Increased landings in particular years were associated with successful year-classes. Other factors affecting landings were annual differences in fleet dispersal, which were related to movements of cod, a cohabiting species. No clear decrease or increase in absolute recruitment of plaice was demonstratable because quantitative comparisons of research surveys by different vessels using different gears and with different skippers, would be misleading.Mortality estimates of adult plaice by three methods showed agreement, indicating that instantaneous rate of natural mortality was between 0.09 and 0.13. The instantaneous rate of fishing for 1957–62 was 0.46. Increasing mesh-size would reduce cod catches and have little effect in conserving plaice, but marketing small fish would increase plaice landings. Voluntary release of small plaice promptly on capture would help maintain the stock, as would reduction in numbers of large cod, the main predator of small plaice. Increased numbers of small cod since 1959, as reported by other workers, could result in greater food competition with small plaice, effectively reinforcing the ecological dominance of cod over plaice.

Kinematics of Tongue Projection in Chamaeleo Oustaleti

1991 ◽  
Vol 159 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER C. WAINWRIGHT ◽  
DAVID M. KRAKLAU ◽  
ALBERT F. BENNETT
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Florida State University ◽  
State University ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Related Family ◽  
High Speed Cinematography ◽  
Tongue Movements

The kinematics of prey capture by the chamaeleonid lizard Chamaeleo oustaleti were studied using high-speed cinematography. Three feeding sequences from each of two individuals were analyzed for strike distances of 20 and 35 cm, at 30°C. Ten distances and angles were measured from sequential frames beginning approximately 0.5 s prior to tongue projection and continuing for about 1.0 s. Sixteen additional variables, documenting maximum excursions and the timing of events, were calculated from the kinematic profiles. Quantified descriptions of head, hyoid and tongue movements are presented. Previously unrecognized rapid protraction of the hyobranchial skeleton simultaneously with the onset of tongue projection was documented and it is proposed that this assists the accelerator muscle in powering tongue projection. Acceleration of the tongue occurred in about 20ms, reaching a maximum acceleration of 486 m s−2 and maximum velocity of 5.8m s−1 in 35 cm strikes. Deceleration of the tongue usually began within 5 ms before prey contract and the direction of tongue movement was reversed within 10 ms of prey contact. Retraction of the tongue, caused by shortening of the retractor muscles, reached a maximum velocity of 2.99 ms−1 and was complete 330 ms after prey contact. Projection distance influences many aspects of prey capture kinematics, particularly projection time, tongue retraction time and the extent of gape and head movements during tongue retraction, all of which are smaller in shorter feedings. Though several features of the chameleon strike have apparently been retained from lizards not capable of ballistic tongue projection, key differences are documented. Unlike members of a related family, the Agamidae, C. oustaleti uses no body lunge during prey capture, exhibits gape reduction during tongue projection and strongly depresses the head and jaws during tongue retraction. Note: Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.

Comparison of the fast-start performances of closely related, morphologically distinct threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp.)

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (12) ◽  
pp. 2595-2604 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Law ◽  
R Blake
Keyword(s):  
Angular Velocity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Biomechanical Study ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Fast Start

Fast-start escape performances for two species of threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus spp., were investigated using high-speed cinematography (400 Hz). The two fishes (not yet formally described, referred to here as benthic and limnetic) inhabit different niches within Paxton Lake, British Columbia, Canada, and are recent, morphologically distinct species. All escape responses observed for both species were double-bend C-type fast-starts. There were no significant differences between the species for any linear or angular parameter (pooled averages, both species: duration 0.048 s, distance 0.033 m, maximum velocity 1.10 m s-1, maximum acceleration 137 m s-2, maximum horizontal angular velocity 473.6 rad s-1 and maximum overall angular velocity 511.1 rad s-1). Benthics and limnetics have the greatest added mass (Ma) at 0.3 and 0.6 body lengths, respectively. The maximum Ma does not include the fins for benthics, but for limnetics the dorsal and anal fins contribute greatly to the maximum Ma. The deep, posteriorly placed fins of limnetics enable them to have a fast-start performance equivalent to that of the deeper-bodied benthics. Both the limnetic and benthic fishes have significantly higher escape fast-start velocities than their ancestral form, the anadromous threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, suggesting that the high performance of the Paxton Lake sticklebacks is an evolutionarily derived trait. In this biomechanical study of functional morphology, we demonstrate that similar high fast-start performance can be achieved by different suites of morphological characteristics and suggest that predation might be the selective force for the high escape performance in these two fishes.

scholarly journals Microgeographic variation in locomotor traits among lizards in a human-built environment

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Donihue
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Vertical Structure ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Novel Habitat ◽  
Microgeographic Variation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Locomotor Capacity

Microgeographic variation in fitness-relevant traits may be more common than previously appreciated. The fitness of many vertebrates is directly related to their locomotor capacity, a whole-organism trait integrating behavior, morphology, and physiology. Because locomotion is inextricably related to context, I hypothesized that it might vary with habitat structure in a wide-ranging lizard, Podarcis erhardii, found in the Greek Cyclade Islands. I compared lizard populations living on human-built rock walls, a novel habitat with complex vertical structure, with nearby lizard populations that are naive to human-built infrastructure and live in flat, loose-substrate habitat. I tested for differences in morphology, behavior, and performance. Lizards from built sites were larger and had significantly (and relatively) longer forelimbs and hindlimbs. The differences in hindlimb morphology were especially pronounced for distal components – the foot and longest toe. These morphologies facilitated a significant behavioral shift in jumping propensity across a rocky experimental substrate. I found no difference in maximum velocity between these populations, however females originating from wall sites potentially accelerated faster over the rocky experimental substrate. The variation between these closely neighboring populations suggests that the lizards inhabiting walls have experienced a suite of trait changes enabling them to take advantage of the novel habitat structure created by humans.

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