Functional implications of variation in pectoral fin ray morphology between fishes with different patterns of pectoral fin use

Taft, Natalia K.

doi:10.1002/jmor.10970

Cited by 27 publications

(46 citation statements)

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“…The morphology and bending properties of the fin rays of pelagic fishes have been described in detail in a small number of studies (Goodrich, 1904;Geerlink and Videler, 1987;Alben et al, 2007;Taft, 2011). Lepidotrichia are made up of two segmented bony halves called hemitrichia (singular 'hemitrich') (Goodrich, 1904;Geerlink and Videler, 1987;Alben et al, 2007;Lauder et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The remainder of the length of each ray consists of crescent-shaped segments connected by collagenous joints (Geerlink and Videler, 1987;Alben et al, 2007). The segments of the sister hemitrichia are oriented with their concave surfaces facing each other, giving the fin ray the form of a hollow cylinder in cross-section for most of its length (Gosline, 1973;Gosline, 1994;Geerlink and Videler, 1987;Alben et al, 2007;Taft, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike the condition in many pelagic fishes, the pectoral fin rays in longhorn sculpin remain unbranched for their entire length. Among longhorn sculpin fin rays, the proportion of the total length of the rays that is unjointed and cylindrical proximally versus jointed and crescentshaped distally varies depending on the location of the ray within the fin (Taft, 2011). Specifically, the ventral rays are shorter and have relatively longer unjointed proximal regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The absence of joints and the presence of a cylindrical cross-sectional shape always occur together in this species, and we hypothesize that both features will contribute to greater resistance to bending in the proximal region compared with the distal region. The sizecorrected second moment of area varies along the length of the pectoral fin rays (Taft, 2011). The cylindrical shape of the hemitrichia proximally distributes more of the material away from the neutral plane between sister hemitrichia, which should increase the resistance to bending.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional implications of morphological specializations among the pectoral fin rays of the benthic longhorn sculpin

Taft

2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYFin ray structure in ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) largely defines fin function. Fin rays convert the muscle activity at the base of the fin to shape changes throughout the external fin web. Despite their critical functional significance, very little is known about the relationship between form and function in this key vertebrate structure. In this study we demonstrate that morphological specializations of the pectoral fin rays of the benthic longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus) have specific functional consequences both within and among individual rays. The fin rays of longhorn sculpin have an elongate unjointed region with a cylindrical shape in cross-section proximally, and are jointed with a crescent-shaped cross-section distally. Variation in the relative length of the proximal versus distal regions affects the location of maximum curvature as well as the mean curvature along the length of individual rays. We experimentally manipulated fin rays to mimic the differential muscle activity that generates curvature of fin rays in living animals. We found that the shape of the fin rays in cross-section affects their curvature. Among fin rays, the most ventral fin rays with relatively longer proximal unjointed regions have a more distal location of maximum curvature. These ventral rays also have higher mean curvature, likely because of a combination of features including the crosssectional shape, area and diameter of the distal segments as well as their relative size and number, which were not examined in detail here. Because these rays are used routinely for substrate contact, this higher curvature could contribute to increased flexibility for substrate contact behaviors such as clinging or gripping the substrate. These morphological and functional differences among fin rays are correlated with the functional regionalization of the fin. Specifically, the ventral fin rays that are used during substrate contact are more stiff proximally and more highly curved distally than the pectoral rays in the dorsal region, which are longer and used during slow swimming. This study highlights the importance of examining morphological and functional variation both within and among complex structures such as fin rays.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional implications of morphological specializations among the pectoral fin rays of the benthic longhorn sculpin

Taft

2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Moreover, differential water temperature and velocity influenced morphology among Siberian sturgeon populations, Acipenser baeri (Ruban and Sokolov 1986). The streamlined body of juvenile Persian sturgeon from the western region of the Iranian coast is adapted for high flow rates, which decreases body drag (reduction in head and body depth) (Taft 2011) in comparison with juveniles from the eastern region. Fin characteristics were different in the two regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of geometric morphometrics to identify ecophenotypic variation of juvenile Persian sturgeon <em>Acipenser persicus</em>

Bakhshalizadeh

Bani

2017

Sci. Mar.

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Summary: Study of phenotypic variation is essential for identifying discrete phenotypic stocks. We sampled immature Persian sturgeon from the eastern and western portion of the southern Caspian Sea to test for morphological differences that could predict the ecophenotypic variation of Persian sturgeon. Geometric morphometric methods were used to quantify body shape. Configuration of landmark coordinates of fish body were scaled, translated and rotated using generalized Procrustes analysis, followed by univariate analysis of variance of resulting shape coordinates to evaluate potential morphological differences between regions. A principal component analysis was carried out to reduce the number of dimensions without the loss of information. The discriminate function analysis was performed to determine the efficacy of body landmarks for discrimination by geographic variants. Within-group linkage was inferred for dendrogram clusters using Pearson correlation distance on the basis of the average linkage method as a complement for discriminate analysis. Principle component analysis revealed that the largest differences were in body size. Most notable were differences in distance between head landmarks and the dorsal fin between eastern and western regions. Fish from the western region exhibited a longer distance from head landmarks to the dorsal fin than fish from the eastern region. Furthermore, the ventral portion of fish from the western region was longer than that of the eastern individuals. These findings show that juvenile Persian sturgeon already possess morphological traits that can be used to discriminate fish from different regions. Furthermore, these differences are discernible in spite of the volume of artificially-inseminated sturgeon larva that have been released during the past 40 years.Keywords: geometric morphometric selection, phenotypic plasticity, discrimination, habitat. Uso de morfometría geométrica para la identificación de variaciones ecofenotípicas en juveniles de esturión persa Acipenser persicusResumen: El estudio de la variación fenotípica es esencial para la identificación de estirpes fenotípicas concretas. Con el fin de identificar diferencias morfológicas que permitan predecir variaciones eco-fenotípicas en el esturión persa, individuos inmaduros de esta especie se muestrearon en diferentes regiones del este y el oeste del sur del mar Caspio. Se utilizaron métodos morfométricos geométricos para cuantificar la forma del cuerpo. La configuración de coordenadas referenciadas del cuerpo del pez fueron escaladas, trasladadas y rotadas utilizando el análisis generalizado Procrustes, seguido del análisis Univariante de la Varianza de las coordenadas de forma resultantes, con el fin de evaluar posibles diferencias morfológicas entre diferentes zonas. Se utilizó un análisis de componentes principales para reducir el número de dimensiones sin perder información. Los scores de los componentes del cuerpo se sometieron a análisis discriminante, con el objeto de determinar la eficacia de las coordena...

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Musculoskeletal morphology and regionalization within the dorsal and anal fins of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

Chadwell

Ashley‐Ross

2011

Journal of Morphology

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Ray-finned fishes actively control the shape and orientation of their fins to either generate or resist hydrodynamic forces. Because of the emergent mechanical properties of their segmented, bilaminar fin rays (lepidotrichia), and actuation by multiple muscles, fish can control the rigidity and curvature of individual rays independently, thereby varying the resultant forces across the fin surfaces. Expecting that differences in fin-ray morphology should reflect variation in their mechanical properties, we measured several musculoskeletal features of individual spines and rays of the dorsal and anal fins of bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, and assessed their mobility and flexibility. We separated the fin-rays into four groups based on the fin (dorsal or anal) or fin-ray type (spine or ray) and measured the length of the spines/rays and the mass of the three median fin-ray muscles: the inclinators, erectors and depressors. Within the two ray groups, we measured the portion of the rays that were segmented vs. unsegmented and branched vs. unbranched. For the majority of variables tested, we found that variations between fin-rays within each group were significantly related to position within the fin and these patterns were conserved between the dorsal and anal rays. Based on positional variations in fin-ray and muscle parameters, we suggest that anterior and posterior regions of each fin perform different functions when interacting with the surrounding fluid. Specifically, we suggest that the stiffer anterior rays of the soft dorsal and anal fins maintain stability and keep the flow across the fins steady. The posterior rays, which are more flexible with a greater range of motion, fine-tune their stiffness and orientation, directing the resultant flow to generate lateral and some thrust forces, thus acting as an accessory caudal fin.

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Functional implications of variation in pectoral fin ray morphology between fishes with different patterns of pectoral fin use

Cited by 27 publications

References 18 publications

Functional implications of morphological specializations among the pectoral fin rays of the benthic longhorn sculpin

Functional implications of morphological specializations among the pectoral fin rays of the benthic longhorn sculpin

Use of geometric morphometrics to identify ecophenotypic variation of juvenile Persian sturgeon <em>Acipenser persicus</em>

Musculoskeletal morphology and regionalization within the dorsal and anal fins of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

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