PUBLICATION

Biomechanics of swimming in developing larval fish

Authors
Voesenek, C.J., Muijres, F.T., van Leeuwen, J.L.
ID
ZDB-PUB-180113-13
Date
2018
Source
The Journal of experimental biology   221(Pt 1): (Journal)
Registered Authors
van Leeuwen, Johan
Keywords
Cost of transport, Energetics of locomotion, Escape manoeuvre, Fluid dynamics, Muscle development, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Fishes/growth & development
  • Fishes/physiology*
  • Larva/growth & development
  • Larva/physiology
  • Swimming*
PubMed
29326114 Full text @ J. Exp. Biol.
Abstract
Most larvae of bony fish are able to swim almost immediately after hatching. Their locomotory system supports several vital functions: fish larvae make fast manoeuvres to escape from predators, aim accurately during suction feeding and may migrate towards suitable future habitats. Owing to their small size and low swimming speed, larval fish operate in the intermediate hydrodynamic regime, which connects the viscous and inertial flow regimes. They experience relatively strong viscous effects at low swimming speeds, and relatively strong inertial effects at their highest speeds. As the larvae grow and increase swimming speed, a shift occurs towards the inertial flow regime. To compensate for size-related limitations on swimming speed, fish larvae exploit high tail beat frequencies at their highest speeds, made possible by their low body inertia and fast neuromuscular system. The shifts in flow regime and body inertia lead to changing functional demands on the locomotory system during larval growth. To reach the reproductive adult stage, the developing larvae need to adjust to and perform the functions necessary for survival. Just after hatching, many fish larvae rely on yolk and need to develop their feeding systems before the yolk is exhausted. Furthermore, the larvae need to develop and continuously adjust their sensory, neural and muscular systems to catch prey and avoid predation. This Review discusses the hydrodynamics of swimming in the intermediate flow regime, the changing functional demands on the locomotory system of the growing and developing larval fish, and the solutions that have evolved to accommodate these demands.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping