Design of a closed system water tunnel for lamprey swimming analysis

This work presents a swim mill design that can be used to study locomotor behavior in intact awake lamprey. The design is constrained by the swimming characteristics and anatomy of young adult lamprey and allows for electrophysiological monitoring of muscle activity and imaging of motor behavior. The design has a test section for animal containment and monitoring of motor behavior, a water reservoir, a water pump, and equipment for biological adaptations (water purification, chilling, & aeration systems). The 36 sq. inch acrylic test section is preceded by a turbulence-reducing converging nozzle, while a 1400 gallon reservoir maintains the system's hydrostatic head and acts as a settling chamber. This swim mill design will be used to examine lamprey swimming behavior under different environmental conditions (e.g., water velocity, turbulence, external perturbations).