Kinematic comparison of bell contraction by four species of hydromedusae
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2000.64s147Keywords:
swiming, morphology, efficience, fluid flow, jet propulsion, foragingAbstract
Bell form strongly affects the hydrodynamic performance of swimming hydromedusae. Although the relationship between bell shape and hydrodynamic parameters has been documented for static models of different bell shapes, the dynamic differences in contraction characteristics of different bell shapes have not been described. This is an important issue in medusan motion because the way in which medusan bells contract may influence the effect of bell shape on swimming performance. We measured differences in bell morphologies and wake velocities during swimming by two prolate (streamlined) and two oblate (disc shaped) forms of hydromedusae. Our results indicate that propulsion by prolate medusae is fundamentally different than that of oblate forms. Prolate species were characterized by contraction over the entire length of the bell and produced a narrower, higher velocity jet. Oblate medusae contracted primarily near the bell margin, and produced a broader, lower velocity jet. Prolate medusae achieved higher velocities but lower Froude propulsion efficiencies than oblate medusae. The adaptive value of these patterns are interpreted in terms of foraging and life history patterns.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Downloads
Published
2000-12-30
How to Cite
1.
Ford MD, Costello JH. Kinematic comparison of bell contraction by four species of hydromedusae. scimar [Internet]. 2000Dec.30 [cited 2023May30];64(S1):47-53. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/791
Issue
Section
Articles
License
Copyright (c) 2000 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the printed and online versions of this Journal are the property of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International” (CC BY 4.0) License. You may read here the basic information and the legal text of the license. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 License must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the published by the Editor, is not allowed.