Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Swimming activity in marine fish.

C S Wardle

    Symposia of the Society for Experimental Biology
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Marine fish exhibit diverse swimming behaviors, with size significantly impacting migration distances and high-speed performance. Muscle activity and structure, detected via electromyogram (EMG) electrodes, explain how fish generate forces for efficient swimming.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Myotomal slow muscle function of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during steady swimming.

    The Journal of experimental biology·1998
    Same author

    Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the motor activity of fish from shallow water and 900 m depths; some results of Challenger cruise 6B/85.

    Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology·1987
    Same author

    The effect of pressure on the lateral swimming muscle of the European eel Anguilla anguilla and the deep sea eel Histiobranchus bathybius; results of Challenger cruise 6B/85.

    Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology·1987
    Same author

    Non-release of lactic acid from anaerobic swimming muscle of plaice Pleuronectes platessa L.: a stress reaction.

    The Journal of experimental biology·1978
    Same author

    A blind fish can school.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·1976
    Same author

    Limit of fish swimming speed.

    Nature·1975
    JoVE
    x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
    ABOUT JoVE
    OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
    AUTHORS
    Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
    LIBRARIANS
    TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
    RESEARCH
    JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
    EDUCATION
    JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
    Terms & Conditions of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Policies

    Area of Science:

    • Marine Biology
    • Biomechanics
    • Fish Physiology

    Background:

    • Marine fish display varied swimming capabilities, from long migrations to rapid bursts.
    • Fish size is a critical factor influencing swimming speed and migratory distance.
    • Understanding swimming mechanics is vital for fish survival, especially during predator evasion or trawling.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between fish size, swimming speed, and muscle recruitment.
    • To analyze the role of myotomes in generating swimming forces at different speeds.
    • To predict muscle requirements for various swimming demands.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized electromyogram (EMG) electrodes to record muscle activity during swimming.
    • Related swimming drag force to muscle force to predict muscle cross-sectional area.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Examined the sequential activation and function of myotomes along the fish body.

    • Main Results:

    • Fish size significantly affects migration distance at slow speeds and performance during high-speed escapes.
    • EMG data revealed distinct muscle usage patterns correlating with swimming speed.
    • Myotome thickness and location are functionally linked to force generation and tail movement cycles.
    • Thicker anterior myotomes contribute to peak thrust, while thinner posterior myotomes aid in force transmission and tail repositioning.

    Conclusions:

    • Fish swimming performance is intricately linked to muscle physiology and body morphology.
    • Myotome function is specialized along the body, optimizing force production and efficiency across different swimming gaits.
    • These findings enhance our understanding of fish locomotion and its ecological implications.