Meeting Abstract
Anatomy and functional design of organisms often exhibit strong correlation with how effectively and efficiently certain biological tasks are performed. Our study is conducted to test the hypothesis about the relationship between structural integrity of the vertebrae in the spine and their contribution to the functional performance of the spine in fishes. Using a material testing system, a series of force-bearing capacities of the vertebrae from different locations of the spine in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) was tested. The strength of vertebrae was equal for all the vertebrae tested. Young’s modulus was approximately 20% higher for the vertebrae from the caudal peduncle region than the vertebrae from other body regions. Using a highspeed videography, kinematics of the body during the predator evasion (C-start) behavior was analyzed and cross-referenced with the material property data of the vertebrae. We discuss the implication of our results for the pattern of propulsive force production through the body of the fish, as well as locomotor function and performance of fishes in different environmental contexts; more specifically, the impact of different mineral bioavailability as well as mining-related pollution on the functional morphology and survival of the fish.
