Swimming speed performance in coral reef fishes: field validations reveal distinct functional groups |
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Authors: | C J Fulton |
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Institution: | (1) ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia;(2) School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia |
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Abstract: | Central to our understanding of locomotion in fishes are the performance implications of using different modes of swimming.
Employing a unique combination of laboratory performance trials and field observations of swimming speed, this study investigated
the comparative performance of pectoral and body-caudal fin swimming within an entire assemblage of coral reef fishes (117
species 10 families). Field observations of swimming behaviour identified three primary modes: labriform (pectoral 70 spp.),
subcarangiform (body-caudal 29 spp.) and chaetodontiform (augmented body-caudal 18 spp.). While representative taxa from all
three modes were capable of speeds exceeding 50 cm s−1 during laboratory trials, only pectoral-swimmers maintained such high speeds under field conditions. Direct comparisons revealed
that pectoral-swimming species maintained field speeds at a remarkable 70% of their maximum (lab-tested) recorded speed; species
using body-caudal fin propulsion maintained field speeds at around 50% of maximum. These findings highlight a profound influence
of swimming mode on performance, with the relative mechanical and energetic efficiency of each swimming mode being of major
importance. Combining attributes of efficiency, maneuverability and speed in one mode of propulsion, pectoral swimming appears
to be a particularly versatile form of locomotion, well suited to a demersal lifestyle on coral reefs. |
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Keywords: | Gait Pectoral Body-caudal Habitat-use Energetic |
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