EcoPhysioMechanics: Integrating Energetics and Biomechanics to Understand Fish Locomotion under Climate Change

Abstract

Ecological physiologists and biomechanists have investigated swimming performance in a diversity of fishes; however, the connection between form, function, and energetics of locomotion has been rarely evaluated in the same system and under climate change scenarios. In this perspective, I argue that working within the framework of “EcoPhysioMechanics,” i.e. integrating energetics and biomechanics tools, to measure locomotor performance and behavior under different abiotic factors, improves our understanding of the mechanisms, limits and costs of movement. To demonstrate how EcoPhysioMechanics can be applied to locomotor studies, I outline how linking biomechanics and physiology allows us to understand how fishes may modulate their movement to achieve high speeds or reduce the costs of locomotion. I also discuss how the framework is necessary to quantify swimming capacity under climate change scenarios. Finally, I discuss current dearth of integrative studies and gaps in empirical datasets that are necessary to understand fish swimming under changing environments.

Morphology and motor behavior of endemic fishes in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River basin

“…The positioning of the entrances of fish passage facilities in unsuitable locations has the potential to disorient fish. Fish tend to adopt the most efficient swimming mode during upstream migration to maintain optimal energy expenditure (Di Santo, 2022; Di Santo et al, 2017). Therefore, the optimal velocities identified in this study (Figure 11b) can be applied to predict fish migration routes in rivers using CFD (Computational fliud dynamics) modeling (Liao et al, 2022; Silva et al, 2020).…”

“…However, these three swimming speeds were too macroscopic for fish studies, which could miss some key points about fish swimming patterns. Some studies have shown that the kinematic consumption of fish shows a “j”‐ or “U”‐shaped curve from low to high flow velocity (Di Santo, 2022; Di Santo et al, 2017). This indicates that there may be two swimming patterns between the induced and critical swimming speeds.…”