Convergence of undulatory swimming kinematics across a diversity of fishes
Abstract
Swimming ability has contributed to the evolutionary success of fishes, and its mechanics have been studied extensively. Most fishes swim primarily through undulation of their body and caudal fin (BCF) and have been historically divided into four major kinematic modes based on their morphology. Here, we compare kinematics of BCF locomotion in 44 species. Contrary to expectations and despite considerable morphological diversity, fishes share major kinematic features during steady swimming and are placed on a continuum rather than in discrete categories. This suggests a unifying BCF mechanism to generate efficient aquatic propulsion. Our work reevaluates a well-established hypothesis in biomechanics, highlighting the importance of avoiding a priori partitioning of fishes into modes, to further our understanding of aquatic locomotion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2113206118
Entities
People
- Dylan K Wainwright
- Elsa Goerig
- George V. Lauder
- James C Liao
- Otar Akanyeti
- Theodore Castro-Santos
- Valentina Di Santo
Organizations
- Aberystwyth University
- Carl Trygger Foundation
- Fonds de Recherche du Québec Nature et technologies
- Harvard University
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- Stockholm University
- University of Florida
- Yale University