Meeting Abstract

P2.51  Saturday, Jan. 5  Biomechanics and behavior of anti-predator responses in squid Lolliguncula brevis SINDERBRAND, C.S.*; BARTOL, I.K.; Old Dominion University; Old Dominion University csind001@odu.edu

Squids have evolved a variety of anti-predator strategies, including having high sensory acuity, using adaptive coloration, generating ink clouds and pseudomorphs, and employing a powerful escape jet. To better understand the locomotory biomechanics and behavior of escape jetting, high-speed video and defocusing digital particle tracking velocimetry (DDPTV), a volumetric (3D) approach for flow visualization, were used to record body movements and jet flows produced by brief squid Lolliguncula brevis during escape responses. An artificial predator was used to elicit an escape response and all experiments were conducted in either a viewing chamber or water tunnel. Kinematic parameters, such as body orientation, swimming speed, response time, and response direction were studied, and 3D wake characteristics of the escape jet were visualized and quantified. The direction, point of release and shape of the inking response were also examined. Squid responded to the artificial predator by producing ink clouds at the beginning and throughout the escape response. Jets consisting of elongated regions of concentrated vorticity with high velocity cores were also generated, which propelled the squid rapidly away from the predator in a tail-first orientation.