scholarly journals Heterocercal tail function in leopard sharks: a three-dimensional kinematic analysis of two models

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (10) ◽  
pp. 2253-2268 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Ferry ◽  
G Lauder

Two different models have been proposed to explain the function of the heterocercal tail in shark locomotion. The classical model proposes that, as a result of lift generated by the tail as it beats, the net force acting on the tail is directed dorsally and anteriorly. In contrast, Thomson's model suggests that the tail generates a net force directed through the shark's center of gravity, i.e. ventrally and anteriorly. In this study, we evaluate these two models by describing the three-dimensional kinematics of the heterocercal tail in the leopard shark Triakis semifasciata during swimming. Lateral and posterior views of the tail were examined from four individuals swimming in a flow tank at 1.2 L s-1 (where L is total length) using two high-speed video cameras filming simultaneously at 250 fields s-1. These two simultaneous views allowed eight landmarks on the tail to be followed in three dimensions through time. These landmarks allowed the tail to be divided into separate surfaces whose orientation over time was calculated. Points located anteriorly on the tail go through significantly smaller excursions and reach their maximum lateral excursion significantly earlier in the beat cycle than points on the trailing edge of the tail. Three-dimensional angle calculations show that the terminal lobe leads the ventral lobe through a beat, as predicted by the classical model. Dye-stream visualizations confirmed that this pattern of movement deflects water ventrally and posteriorly to the moving tail, providing strong support for the classical model. Additionally, our results show that a three-dimensional analysis is critical to understanding the function of the heterocercal tail.

1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (16) ◽  
pp. 2433-2444 ◽  
Author(s):  
LA Ferry-Graham

Recent work on teleosts suggests that attack behaviors or kinematics may be modified by a predator on the basis of the size of the prey or the ability of the prey to sense predators and escape capture (elusivity). Sharks are generally presumed to be highly visual predators; thus, it is reasonable to expect that they might also be capable of such behavioral modulation. In this study, I investigated the effect of prey item size and type on prey-capture behavior in leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) that had been acclimated to feeding in the laboratory. Using high-speed video, sharks were filmed feeding on two sizes of the same prey item (thawed shrimp pieces) and two potentially more elusive prey items (live earthworms and live mud shrimp). In leopard sharks, little effect of prey elusivity was found for kinematic variables during prey capture. However, the large proportion of successful captures of the live prey suggests that they did not prove to be truly elusive prey items for the leopard shark. There were significant size effects on prey-capture kinematics, with the larger non-elusive items inducing greater head expansion during prey capture. Ram-suction index values also indicated that strikes on large, non-elusive prey had a significantly larger suction component than strikes on similar small prey items. This finding is interesting given that the two sizes of non-elusive prey item offered no differential challenge in terms of a performance consequence (reduced capture success).


1984 ◽  
Vol 247 (3) ◽  
pp. E412-E419 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Hibbard ◽  
R. A. Hawkins

Quantitative autoradiography is a powerful method for studying brain function by the determination of blood flow, glucose utilization, or transport of essential nutrients. Autoradiographic images contain vast amounts of potentially useful information, but conventional analyses can practically sample the data at only a small number of points arbitrarily chosen by the experimenter to represent discrete brain structures. To use image data more fully, computer methods for its acquisition, storage, quantitative analysis, and display are required. We have developed a system of computer programs that performs these tasks and has the following features: 1) editing and analysis of single images using interactive graphics, 2) an automatic image alignment algorithm that places images in register with one another using only the mathematical properties of the images themselves, 3) the calculation of mean images from equivalent images in different experimental serial image sets, 4) the calculation of difference images (e.g., experiment-minus-control) with the option to display only differences estimated to be statistically significant, and 5) the display of serial image metabolic maps reconstructed in three dimensions using a high-speed computer graphics system.


1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Cailliet

Demographic analyses can be quite useful for effectively managing elasmobranch fisheries. However, they require valid estimates of age-specific mortality and natality rates, in addition to information on the distribution, abundance, habits and reproduction of the population, to produce reliable estimates of population growth. Because such detailed ecological information is usually unavailable, complete demographic analyses have been completed for only four shark species: the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias; the soupfin shark, Galeorhinus australis; the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris; and most recently the sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus. In California, reliable estimates of age, growth, mortality, age at maturity, and fecundity are available only for the leopard shark, Triakis semifasciata. A demographic analysis of this species yielded a net reproductive rate (Ro) of 4.467, a generation time (G) of 22.35 years, and an estimate of the instantaneous population growth coefficient (r) of 0.067. If the mean fishing pressure over 10 years (F= 0.084) is included in the survivorship function, Ro and r are reduced considerably, especially if leopard sharks first enter the fishery at early ages. A size limit of 120 cm TL (estimated age 13 years), especially for female sharks, is tentatively proposed for the leopard shark fishery.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Chinn ◽  
Peter Ostendorp ◽  
Mike Haugh ◽  
Russell Kershmann ◽  
Thomas Kurfess ◽  
...  

Nickel and nickel-alloy microparts sized on the order of 5–1000 microns have been imaged in three dimensions using a new microscopic technique, Digital Volumetric Imaging (DVI). The gears were fabricated using Sandia National Laboratories’ LIGA technology (lithography, molding, and electroplating). The images were taken on a microscope built by Resolution Sciences Corporation by slicing the gear into one-micron thin slices, photographing each slice, and then reconstructing the image with software. The images were matched to the original CAD (computer aided design) model, allowing LIGA designers, for the first time, to see visually how much deviation from the design is induced by the manufacturing process. Calibration was done by imaging brass ball bearings and matching them to the CAD model of a sphere. A major advantage of DVI over scanning techniques is that internal defects can be imaged to very high resolution. In order to perform the metrology operations on the microcomponents, high-speed and high-precision algorithms are developed for coordinate metrology. The algorithms are based on a least-squares approach to data registration the {X,Y,Z} point clouds generated from the component surface onto a target geometry defined in a CAD model. Both primitive geometric element analyses as well as an overall comparison of the part geometry are discussed. Initial results of the micromeasurements are presented in the paper.


2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balaji Gopalan ◽  
Edwin Malkiel ◽  
Joseph Katz

We study the diffusion of slightly buoyant droplets in isotropic turbulence using High Speed Digital Holographic PIV. Droplets (Specific Gravity 0.85) are injected in the central portion of an isotropic turbulence facility with weak mean flow. Perpendicular digital inline holograms are recorded in a 37 × 37 × 37 mm3 region of interest using two high speed cameras. Data are recorded at 250 frames per second (2000 frames per second is the maximum possible frame rate). An automated program is developed to obtain two dimensional tracks of the droplets from two orthogonal images and match them to get three dimensional tracks. Cross correlation of droplet images are used for measuring their velocities. The time series are low pass filtered to obtain accurate time history of droplet velocities. Data analysis determines the PDF of velocity and acceleration in three dimensions. The time history also enables us to calculate the three dimensional Lagrangian velocity autocorrelation function for different droplet radii. Integration of these functions gives us the diffusion coefficients. For shorter time scales, when the diffusion need not be Fickian we can use the three dimensional trajectories to calculate the generalized dispersion tensor and measure the time elapsed for diffusion to become Fickian.


Author(s):  
R. van Son ◽  
S. W. Jaw ◽  
J. Yan ◽  
V. Khoo ◽  
R. Loo ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> To optimise the use of limited available land, land-scarce cities such as Singapore are increasingly looking towards the underground in search of more space. A good understanding of what already exists underground is essential for the planning of underground spaces. In particular, utility services make up a significant part of what exists underground. To meet planning needs, the Singapore government has initiated efforts towards bringing records of existing utility networks together in a single database and share its contents to support planning, design, and construction of underground developments. However, these records can not be relied on to support these critical processes: They are not guaranteed to represent today’s state of the underground, are not accurate or of unknown accuracy, are inconsistently modelled, and may indicate as-design information instead of as-built information. This lack of reliability leads to an increase in cost and a loss in efficiency caused by the need to repeatedly survey to locate existing utility services on-site, and can have potentially disastrous outcomes when an excavation would damage existing services. Technological advances in utility surveying and mapping devices such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and gyroscopic pipeline mapping devices offer the potential of accurately mapping utilities in three dimensions (3D) at a large scale and high speed. However, a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of these technologies in a practical context is needed, as well as their suitability for mapping to support applications such as urban planning and land administration. The Digital Underground project is a collaboration between Singapore-ETH Centre, Singapore Land Authority and the City of Zürich that aims to develop a roadmap towards a reliable 3D utility map of Singapore. To enable the development of utility mapping standards and guidelines, the 3D mapping workflow for underground utilities is studied extensively based on market research, literature study, and case studies. This work presents the beginnings of a framework for 3D mapping of underground utilities as one of the initial results of the Digital Underground project as it is in progress. From these experiences, it can be concluded that, together with existing data, data captured using various surveying methods can indeed contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a consolidated and reliable utility map. To this end, a multi-sensor, multi-data 3D mapping workflow is proposed to integrate data captured using different surveying techniques during different moments in the development lifecycle of utilities. Based on this framework, this work also identifies areas for improvement and critical gaps to be bridged that will ultimately form part of the roadmap.</p>


Author(s):  
M. Zarzecki ◽  
F. J. Diez

Holographic particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a novel application of holography that allows for tracking of small particle sized objects in a small volume. Whereas regular PIV allows for the two in-plane components of the velocity field to be measured, and stereoscopic PIV allows for the three-components of the velocity field to be measured in a thin plane, holographic PIV allows for the three-components of the velocity to be measured for each individual particle present in the measuring volume, thus allowing to fully resolve fluid flows that are inherently 3D in nature. There are many examples of three dimensional flows in nature including turbulence flows, but another very interesting application very well suited for this technique involves tracking living microorganisms in order to study their motion and their means of propulsion. As part of this research a micro organism was tracked in three dimensions using a high speed microscopic holographic imaging method. The ability to track organisms in 3D allows better understanding and characterizing of their behavior including their propulsion methods, their feeding methods and their interaction with each other. The time resolved holograms were reconstructed in Matlab using Fast Fourier Transforms. A laser pointer was used as a source of coherent light, and a high speed PIV camera (Photron APX Ultima) was used to capture the images. A beam expander was used to increase the diameter of the laser beam allowing for a larger tracking area. Results with this system will show the trajectories in 3D of microorganisms as well as the three components of the velocity field showing the interaction of the organisms with their environment.


1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1167-1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Snider

A method was devised for estimating relative contributions to atom recombination from the bound complex and triple collision mechanisms. The method is based on three assumptions: a collinear model is valid, recrossings of a suitably chosen transition state surface equally affect both contributions to the recombination rate, and the two contributions correspond to crossings of parts of the transition state surface which differ only in total energy. Ratios of the rate constants for recombination by the two mechanisms were calculated for a classical model of Br and I atom recombination in rare gases. The ratios had already been obtained for the model from three-dimensional trajectory calculations. The results disagreed by as much as a factor of ten for helium as the third body, but they were within 50% or better for xenon. It was argued that the discrepancies are largely due to a breakdown of the second of the foregoing assumptions. The formula for the rate constant for recombination by both mechanisms together was extended to three dimensions at the expense of introducing an adjustable parameter. The extended formula was found to give results in agreement with the trajectory calculation to within 30% or better.


The study of type A crystals of sperm-whale has now been extended to three dimensions by using the method of isomorphous replacement to determine the phases of all the general X-ray reflexions having d > 6 Å, and a three-dimensional Fourier synthesis of the electron density in the unit cell has been computed. Data were obtained from the same derivatives which had been used in the previous two-dimensional study (Bluhm, Bodo, Dintzis & Kendrew 1958), in the course of which the x and z co-ordinates of the heavy atoms had been determined. Several methods were used to determine the y co-ordinates from the three-dimensional data; with a knowledge of all three co-ordinates of each heavy atom it was possible to establish the phases of nearly all the reflexions by a graphical method. The three-dimensional Fourier synthesis was evaluated on a high-speed computer from these phases and from the observed amplitudes of the reflexions. A resolution of 6 Å was chosen because it should clearly reveal polypeptide chains having a compact configuration such as a helix. The electron-density map was in fact found to contain a large number of dense rod-like features which are considered to be polypeptide chains, probably helically coiled. In addition, a very dense flattened disk is believed to be the haem group with its central iron atom. Finally it was possible to identify the boundaries of the protein molecules by locating the intermolecular regions containing salt solution. An isolated myoglobin molecule has dimensions about 45 x 35 x 25 Å and within it the polypeptide chain is folded in a complex and irregular manner. For the most part the course of the chain can be followed, but there are some doubtful stretches, presumably where the helical configuration breaks down; a crude measurement of the total visible length of chain suggests that about 70% of it may be in a helical or some similarly compact configuration. The haem group is near the surface of the molecule.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Doane ◽  
Colton Johnson ◽  
Shaili Johri ◽  
Emma N. Kerr ◽  
Megan M. Morris ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The epidermis of Chondrichthyan fishes consists of dermal denticles with production of minimal but protein rich mucus that influence the attachment and biofilm development of microbes, facilitating a unique epidermal microbiome. Here, we use metagenomics to provide the taxonomic and functional characterization of the epidermal microbiome of the Triakis semifasciata (leopard shark) across three time-points to identify links between microbial groups and host metabolism. Our aims include 1) describing the variation of microbiome taxa over time and identify those members which are recurrent (present across all time-points, 2) investigating the relationship between the recurrent and flexible taxa (those which are not found consistently across time-points, 3) describing the functional compositions of the microbiome which may suggest links with the host metabolism; and 4) identifying whether the metabolisms are share across microbial genera or found in specific taxa. Results: Microbial members of the microbiome showed high similarity between all individuals (average similarity: 82.74) with relative abundance of those members varying across years, suggesting flexibility of taxa in the microbiome. One hundred and eighty-eight genera were identified as recurrent, including Pseudomonas, Erythrobacter, Alcanivorax, Marinobacter and Sphingopxis being consistently abundance across time-points, while Limnobacter and Xyella exhibited switching patterns with high relative abundance in 2013, Sphingobium and Sphingomona in 2015, and Altermonas, Leeuwenhoekiella, Gramella and Maribacter in 2017. Of the 188 genera identified as recurrent, the top 19 relative abundant genera forming three recurrent groups. The microbiome also displayed high functional similarity between individuals (average similarity: 97.65) with gene function composition being consistent across time-points. Conclusion: These results show that while presence of microbial genera exhibit consistency across time-points, their abundances do fluctuate. Functions however remain stable across time points; thus, we suggest the leopard shark microbiomes exhibit functional redundancy. We hypothesize this may be the result of the host’s epidermal attributes structuring the microbiome. In addition, we show the co-existence of many microbial genera that carry genes which may enable the microbes to use the nutrients provided by the elasmobranch’s metabolism.


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