Convergent evolution of locomotor morphology but not performance in gymnotiform swimmers

Whitlow, Katrina R.; Santini, Francesco; Oufiero, Christopher E.

doi:10.1111/jeb.13399

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…This is characterized by the ribbon-like motion of elongate ventral/anal fin, while the body remains relatively stiff ( Akanyeti et al, 2017 ). Such swimming is facilitated by their lean bodies and reduced dorsal fins and is also observed in C. chitala ( Whitlow, Santini & Oufiero, 2019 ). C. chitala swim in the sub-carangiform mode ( Webb, 1975 ; Blake, 1983b ), where the caudal fin undergoes large movements that generate substantial side forces or recoil forces ( Lighthill, 1970 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Phenotypic variation of Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) from Indian rivers using truss network and geometric morphometrics

Chandran

Singh

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) is an economically important food fish species occurring throughout Indian rivers, which also has ornamental value. This study focuses on morphological variations in C. chitala from seven river basins across India namely; Son, Tons, Ken, Brahmaputra, Ganga, Gomti and Gandak. A truss network was constructed by interconnecting nine landmarks to generate 36 morphometric variables extracted from digital images of specimens sampled from the study locations. Transformed truss measurements were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), canonical discriminant function analysis (CDFA) and discriminant analyses of principal components (DAPC). DAPC function coefficients performed much better in capturing the variation pattern and discrimination between the rivers which was not achieved using CDFA. Eight truss variables were identified with significant and highest loading for truss variables on principal components and coefficients on discriminant function from DAPC contributing to maximum variation between the rivers. Performance graph and functional distribution of identified truss variables clearly indicated distinction between the rivers. Thin plate spline analysis and procrustes shape analysis further showed the variation in morphology between specimens across the rivers. The significant parameters differentiating specimens from different rivers were linked to dorsal fin origin, the base of the pectoral fin and the perpendicular point on the anal fin from the dorsal fin origin. Variation in the hydrodynamics of the rivers studied might be possibly affecting the fin kinematics and consequently leading to adaption seen as phenotypic variation in C. chitala. The results showcased in the present study shall help in better understanding of intra-specific diversity which is significant for management and conservation of a species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Phenotypic variation of Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) from Indian rivers using truss network and geometric morphometrics

Chandran

Singh

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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“…These studies have focused on the role of the ribbon fin to swim in any direction or even to stay still in mid water. Furthermore, a recent study suggested that fish using the ribbon fin for thrust production have similar sprint speeds and energetic costs to subcarangiform swimmers that use body-caudal fin undulations (Whitlow et al 2019). Here we found that wave frequency n Rf and wave speed V Rf of the ribbon fin increases with flow speed up to 5 Bl/s, which agrees with previous work of knifefish swimming forward up to ~2 Bl/s (Ruiz-Torres 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the Kármán gait: knifefish swimming in periodic and irregular vortex streets

Ortega-Jimenez

Sanford

2021

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Neotropical freshwater fishes such as knifefishes are commonly faced with navigating intense and highly unsteady streams. However, our knowledge on locomotion in apteronotids comes from laminar flows, where the ribbon fin dominates over pectoral fins or body bending. Here, we studied the 3D kinematics and swimming control of seven black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) moving in laminar flows (flow speed U∞∼1 – 5 Bl/s) and in periodic vortex streets (U∞∼2 – 4 Bl/s). Two different cylinders (∼2 and ∼3 cm diameter) were used to generate the latter. Additionally, fish were exposed to an irregular wake produced by a free oscillating cylinder (∼2 cm diameter; U∞∼2 Bl/s). In laminar flows knifefish mainly used their ribbon fin, with wave frequency, speed and acceleration increasing with U∞. In contrast, knifefish swimming behind a fixed cylinder increased the use of pectoral fins and resulted in changes in body orientation that mimicked steady backward swimming. Meanwhile, individuals behind the oscillating cylinder presented a combination of body bending, ribbon and pectoral fins movements that counteract the out-of-phase yaw oscillations induced by the irregular shedding of vortices. We corroborated passive out-of-phase oscillations by placing a printed knifefish model just downstream of the moving cylinder but, when placed one-cylinder diameter downstream, the model oscillated in phase. Thus, the wake left behind an oscillating body is more challenging than a periodic vortex shedding for an animal located downstream, which may have consequences on inter- and intra-specific interactions.

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“…Intriguingly, the two species with the highest recorded mass-specific suction power, sunfish and knifefish ( Fig. 2 C), rely substantially on their paired or median fins for locomotion, rather than body flexion ( Gibb et al, 1994 ; Whitlow et al, 2019 ). As suction power is measured in more species, future studies can pursue these exciting hypotheses on the relationships between suction power, body shape and axial muscle function.…”

Section: Using Power To Compare Suction Feeding Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new conceptual framework for the musculoskeletal biomechanics and physiology of ray-finned fishes

Camp

Brainerd

2022

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Suction feeding in ray-finned fishes requires substantial muscle power for fast and forceful prey capture. The axial musculature located immediately behind the head has been long known to contribute some power for suction feeding, but recent XROMM and fluoromicrometry studies found nearly all the axial musculature (over 80%) provides effectively all (90–99%) of the power for high-performance suction feeding. The dominance of axial power suggests a new framework for studying the musculoskeletal biomechanics of fishes: the form and function of axial muscles and bones should be analysed for power production in feeding (or at least as a compromise between swimming and feeding), and cranial muscles and bones should be analysed for their role in transmitting axial power and coordinating buccal expansion. This new framework is already yielding novel insights, as demonstrated in four species for which suction power has now been measured. Interspecific comparisons suggest high suction power can be achieved in different ways: increasing the magnitude of suction pressure or the rate of buccal volume change, or both (as observed in the most powerful of these species). Our framework suggests that mechanical and evolutionary interactions between the head and the body, and between the swimming and feeding roles of axial structures, may be fruitful areas for continued study.

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Convergent evolution of locomotor morphology but not performance in gymnotiform swimmers

Cited by 7 publications

References 80 publications

Phenotypic variation of Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) from Indian rivers using truss network and geometric morphometrics

Phenotypic variation of Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) from Indian rivers using truss network and geometric morphometrics

Beyond the Kármán gait: knifefish swimming in periodic and irregular vortex streets

A new conceptual framework for the musculoskeletal biomechanics and physiology of ray-finned fishes

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