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Not So Fast: Swimming Behavior of Sailfish during Predator-Prey Interactions using High-Speed Video and
Stefano Marras1, Takuji Noda2, John F Steffensen1
1*IAMC-CNR, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09170 Oristano, Italy; Department of Social Informatics, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Yoshidahonmachi, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark; Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Mueggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany; Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6; **Department of Mathematics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 75106, Sweden; Department of Biological Sciences, Marine Sciences Program, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA.
Sailfish hunting evasive prey involves bursts of speed up to 7 m/s, not extreme speeds. Their elongated bills and dorsal fin aid in accuracy and prey capture, rather than relying solely on high-speed swimming.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biomechanics
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Billfishes, including sailfish, are known for their speed, but recent studies indicate they swim slowly most of the time.
- Predator-prey interactions are key contexts for observing maximal swimming speeds and unsteady maneuvers.
- Prey's agility contrasts with predators' need for effective capture strategies, potentially involving specialized morphology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the swimming speeds and behaviors of sailfish during predator-prey interactions.
- To determine if sailfish utilize high-speed bursts when hunting evasive prey.
- To analyze the role of the sailfish's bill and dorsal fin in hunting maneuvers.
Main Methods:
- High-frequency accelerometry and high-speed video observations were used to record sailfish swimming behavior.
- Tail beat frequencies were analyzed to estimate swimming speeds.
- Bill oscillations were measured with and without dorsal fin extension.
Main Results:
- Sailfish were observed to burst at speeds around 7 m/s, not exceeding 10 m/s during predator-prey encounters.
- These measured speeds are significantly lower than previous high-speed estimates for billfishes.
- Dorsal fin extension appears to enhance bill control and minimize yaw during swimming.
Conclusions:
- Sailfish hunting strategies prioritize accuracy and the use of specialized body extensions (bill, sail) over extreme speeds.
- The dorsal fin likely aids in stabilizing the bill for more precise prey manipulation.
- Sailfish, like other large predators, may rely on maneuverability and accuracy rather than sheer velocity for capturing agile prey.
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