BRZEK, P.*; BIELAWSKA, K.; KSIAZEK, A.; KONARZEWSKI, M.; Univ. of Bialystok, Poland; Univ. of Bialystok, Poland; Univ. of Bialystok, Poland; Univ. of Bialystok, Poland: Anatomic and molecular correlates of divergent selection for basal metabolic rate in laboratory mice The question about the mechanisms of evolution of high level of basal metabolic rate (BMR) in endotherms […]

RIBAK, G.*; WEIHS, D.; ARAD, Z.; Technion, Haifa, Israel; Technion, Haifa, Israel: Underwater maneuverability of cormorants Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) forage by swimming underwater in search and pursuit of fish. As buoyant, foot-propelled, submerged swimmers cormorants generate hydrodynamic lift from their body and tail to overcome buoyancy during shallow dives. This implies that the […]

LAUDER*, G.V.*; MADDEN, P.; MITTAL, R.; DONG, H.; BOZKURTTAS, M.; DAVIDSON, N.; TANGORRA, J.; HUNTER, I.; Harvard Univ.; Harvard Univ.; George Washington Univ.; George Washington Univ.; George Washington Univ.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Pectoral fin function in sunfish: experimental hydrodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and construction of a […]

STANDEN, E.M.*; LAUDER, G.V.; Harvard University; Harvard University: Hydrodynamics function of dorsal and anal fins in trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) Fish fins produce moments around the fish�s body that potentially contribute to thrust and stability. The dorsal and anal median fins are located above and below the rolling axis of the fish and oscillate during […]

WIKTOROWICZ, Alexis M.*; GORDON, Malcolm S.; Univ. of California, Los Angeles; Univ. of California, Los Angeles: How Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) Swim: Biomechanics and Kinematics The Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus), is a circumtropically distributed marine fish that lives on coral reefs and in other shallow-water environments. It can reach a substantial size (50 cm+) and bears many […]

SCHAEFER, Justin T; LONG, JR., John H; KOOB, Thomas J*; Univ. of California, Irvine; Vassar College; Shriners Hospital for Children, Tampa: Biomimetic vertebral columns of variable structure and mechanical properties In order to analyze the mechanical design of vertebral columns (VCs), we built artificial VCs that mimic aspects of the morphology and mechanics of the […]

RIVERA, A.R.*; RIVERA, G.; BLOB, R.W.; Clemson University, SC: Aquatic Turning Performance of a Rigid-Bodied Vertebrate, the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) The rarity of rigid body designs among aquatic vertebrates suggests that such designs may carry costs that impair functional performance. Although rigid bodies are expected to incur less drag and are more stable during […]

STONE, M.D.**; HELLGREN, E.C.; Oklahoma State University; Southern Illinois University: Thermal Variation in the Microhabitat of the Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) Texas tortoises potentially experience harsh thermal regimes during summer months. It is therefore likely that environmental temperature significantly influences activity patterns. Although thermoregulatory and heat exchange studies have been conducted on Gopherus berlandieri, few […]

CONTRERAS, H*; TALBOT, C; Calif. State Univ. San Bernardino: Osmoregulatory Behaviors in Pacific and California Tree Frogs: Differences in ability to find water and species� salt concentration preferences. Amphibians are frequently faced with excessive dehydration through evaporative water loss across the skin. To counteract the effects of quick dehydration, many species have developed behavioral adaptations […]

BABONIS, L. S. *; LILLYWHITE, H.B.; HATCH, K. ; TU, M. C.; University of Florida; University of Florida; Brigham Young University, Provo, UT; National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei: Drinking of Fresh Water by Sea Snakes Recent field observations at Orchid Island, Taiwan, suggest that sea snakes are more abundant at sites having near-shore sources of […]