Meeting Abstract 15-3  Thursday, Jan. 5 10:45 – 11:00  Defenders of the reef: Impacts of damselfish territoriality on coral reef community structure SIMS, RJ*; SMITH, KM; CHILDRESS, MJ; Clemson University; Clemson University; Clemson University rsims@g.clemson.edu Herbivores play an important role in coral reef communities by preventing the overgrowth of coral by macroalgae. However the interactions of these […]

Meeting Abstract 15-5  Thursday, Jan. 5 11:15 – 11:30  Adaptive demographic pathways for Great Barrier Reef corals MATZ, MV*; DIXON, GB; TREML, EA; University of Texas at Austin; University of Texas at Austin; University of Melbourne matz@utexas.edu Global warming is expected to result in preferential survival of coral migrants from warmer to cooler locations as well as […]

Meeting Abstract 14-2  Thursday, Jan. 5 10:30 – 10:45  With every fiber: the effects of collagen fiber orientation on the body mechanics of six species of elongate fishes SANDERS, EK*; DONATELLI, CM; TYTELL, ED; Tufts University; Tufts University; Tufts University erin.sanders@tufts.edu Fish skin has many components that contribute to its protective, yet flexible structure. The dermis of […]

Meeting Abstract 14-1  Thursday, Jan. 5 10:15 – 10:30  Structural and Functional Differences in the Penile Tendons of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) KELLY, D.A.*; MOORE, B.C.; University of Massachusetts; Sewanee: The University of the South dianek@psych.umass.edu Two collagenous structures, the ventral penile tendon (VPT) and the ligamentum rami (LR), are critical to normal phallic eversion and […]

Meeting Abstract 14-7  Thursday, Jan. 5 11:45 – 12:00  Physical Properties and Anisotropy in the Central Tissue Layer of Cetacean Tail Flukes GOUGH, WT*; FISH, FE; LEWIS, GT; BART-SMITH, H; West Chester Univ., PA; West Chester Univ., PA; University of Virginia; University of Virginia wgough0788@gmail.com During swimming, cetaceans generate hydrodynamic thrust with dorso-ventral oscillations of flexible tail […]

Meeting Abstract 14-5  Thursday, Jan. 5 11:15 – 11:30  Mechanics of Fish Skin: Contrasting Material Properties Within and Between Functional Systems KENALEY, C*; SANIN, A; Boston College kenaley@bc.edu The skin of non-tetrapod fishes provides several important functions, including protection from the external environment, water balance, and gas exchange. The role skin plays in biomechanical systems such as […]

Meeting Abstract 14-3  Thursday, Jan. 5 10:45 – 11:00  It’s only a flesh wound! Puncture force scaling in flatfishes MINICOZZI, M*; PEREZ, J; SUMMERS, A; GIBB, A C; Northern Arizona University; University of Washington mrm539@nau.edu Fish scales interact with the external environment and have evolved to meet the physical demands of the animal, including attacks from predators. […]

Meeting Abstract 14-4  Thursday, Jan. 5 11:00 – 11:15  Hagfish Houdinis: Biomechanics and Behavior of Squeezing Through Small Openings FREEDMAN, C; FUDGE, DS*; University of Guelph; Chapman University fudge@chapman.edu Hagfishes are able to squeeze through small openings to gain entry to crevices, burrows, hagfish traps, and carcasses, but little is known about how they do this, or […]

Meeting Abstract 14-6  Thursday, Jan. 5 11:30 – 11:45  A Comparative Study on the Tensile Properties of Shark Skin CREAGER, SB; PORTER, ME*; Florida Atlantic University; Florida Atlantic University me.porter@fau.edu In sharks, the skin acts as an exotendon, controlled by internal muscular pressures produced during extension and relaxation enhancing body stiffness during swimming. The surface of shark […]

Meeting Abstract 13-7  Thursday, Jan. 5 11:45 – 12:00  Sources of Skull Variation Among ecologically Differentiated Species of Pupfish (Genus Cyprinodon( LENCER, E; Cornell University lencere@gmail.com Understanding the origins of novel phenotypic variation is fundamental to the study of biodiversity. Many studies have investigated the role of selection in driving phenotypic change, however equally important is how […]