Meeting Abstract

P1.116  Tuesday, Jan. 4  Turning Performance in Cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis WIGTON, R.A.*; SCOTT, L.E.; KRUEGER, P.K.; BARTOL, I.K.; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA rwigt001@odu.edu

Using complex motions of fins that extend along the length of the mantle and pulsed jets that are directed through a flexible funnel, cuttlefishes are capable of making frequent turns when hunting for prey, evading predators, and navigating complex habitats. While cuttlefish appear to be quite adept at making rapid, tight turns during these maneuvers based on field observations, turning performance has not been quantified to date in any species of cuttlefish. For this study, we recorded a variety of turns performed by cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis from lateral and ventral perspectives using two high-speed video cameras. Various landmarks on the cuttlefish mantle, funnel, arms, and fins were tracked and parameters, such as minimum radius of the turning path (a measure of maneuverability) and angular velocity of turns (a measure of agility) were calculated using Matlab routines. Arm movements, asymmetric fin motions, angle adjustments of the mantle and arms, and funnel movements all were employed to minimize the radius of the turning path, whereas vigorous jetting and/or rapid fin waves were closely correlated with the highest angular turning velocities. The extensive repertoire of mantle, funnel, fin, and arm movements displayed by cuttlefish facilitates their ability to achieve high levels of maneuverability and agility.