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Biphasic burrowing in Atlantic hagfish (Myxine limosa)
Douglas S Fudge1, Joshua Lee1, Kennedy Guillen1
1Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|May 17, 2024
Summary
Myxine limosa, a burrowing hagfish, uses a two-phase thrash and wriggle behavior to create U-shaped burrows. This study visualizes the biomechanics of hagfish burrowing in gelatin.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Animal Behavior
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Myxine limosa is a burrowing hagfish species found in the western North Atlantic.
- Previous observations of M. limosa burrowing were limited, with little known about their in-substrate behavior or biomechanical mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the burrowing behavior and biomechanical mechanisms of Myxine limosa.
- To visualize stress development during burrowing using a photoelastic setup.
Main Methods:
- Observing M. limosa burrowing through transparent gelatin.
- Utilizing a photoelastic setup with crossed polarizers to visualize stress in the gelatin.
Main Results:
- M. limosa creates U-shaped burrows through a two-phase behavior: 'thrash' and 'wriggle'.
- The 'thrash' phase involves head-driven sinusoidal movements, while the 'wriggle' phase uses concertina-like body movements for propulsion.
- The entire burrowing process averaged 7.6 minutes, resulting in the hagfish's head protruding from the substrate.
Conclusions:
- Hagfish utilize a unique two-phase burrowing strategy involving distinct propulsive movements.
- Understanding hagfish burrowing can inform marine sediment dynamics, reproductive behavior studies, and bio-inspired robotics.
