Manta rays feed using ricochet separation, a novel nonclogging filtration mechanism

Divi, Raj V.; Strother, James A.; Paig-Tran, E. W. Misty

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aat9533

Cited by 43 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…A combination of CFD with non-intrusive experimental validation (e.g. particle tracking) has been considered valuable for assessing flow dynamics in biophysical research ( Fiore et al , 2017 ; Divi et al , 2018 ). Here, we used a CFD software and particle tracking of fluorescent, neutrally buoyant microspheres to validate flow velocity and uniformity in the updated design of the multi-lane swimming chamber.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated flow control of a multi-lane swimming chamber for small fishes indicates species-specific sensitivity to experimental protocols

Illing

Severati

Hochen

et al. 2021

Conservation Physiology

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In fishes, swimming performance is considered an important metric to measure fitness, dispersal and migratory abilities. The swimming performance of individual larval fishes is often integrated into models to make inferences on how environmental parameters affect population-level dynamics (e.g. connectivity). However, little information exists regarding how experimental protocols affect the swimming performance of marine fish larvae. In addition, the technical setups used to measure larval fish swimming performance often lack automation and accurate control of water quality parameters and flow velocity. In this study, we automated the control of multi-lane swimming chambers for small fishes by developing an open-source algorithm. This automation allowed us to execute repeatable flow scenarios and reduce operator interference and inaccuracies in flow velocity typically associated with manual control. Furthermore, we made structural modifications to a prior design to reduce the areas of lower flow velocity. We then validated the flow dynamics of the new chambers using computational fluid dynamics and particle-tracking software. The algorithm provided an accurate alignment between the set and measured flow velocities and we used it to test whether faster critical swimming speed (Ucrit) protocols (i.e. shorter time intervals and higher velocity increments) would increase Ucrit of early life stages of two tropical fish species [4–10-mm standard length (SL)]. The Ucrit of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and cinnamon anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) increased linearly with fish length, but in cinnamon anemonefish, Ucrit started to decrease upon metamorphosis. Swimming protocols using longer time intervals (more than 2.5 times increase) negatively affected Ucrit in cinnamon anemonefish but not in barramundi. These species-specific differences in swimming performance highlight the importance of testing suitable Ucrit protocols prior to experimentation. The automated control of flow velocity will create more accurate and repeatable data on swimming performance of larval fishes. Integrating refined measurements into individual-based models will support future research on the effects of environmental change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated flow control of a multi-lane swimming chamber for small fishes indicates species-specific sensitivity to experimental protocols

Illing

Severati

Hochen

et al. 2021

Conservation Physiology

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show abstract

“…The Chesapeake Bay (including Virginia and Maryland), New England (including Maine and Massachusetts), and the Gulf of Mexico (including Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas) were grouped together due to lack of specificity in many abstracts in these regions, all others refer to the waters of individual states. biomechanics have used material testing to compare shark teeth performance (e.g., Whitenack and Motta, 2010) and vertebral strength (e.g., Porter et al, 2006) across multiple taxa, finite element analysis to study mechanical properties (e.g., Jayasankar et al, 2017), computational fluid dynamics (e.g., Divi et al, 2018), and computed tomography scanning (e.g., Kolmann et al, 2016). Although other research disciplines focused on nearshore species or species of high commercial interest, studies on functional morphology and biomechanics included studies on some of the clades most underrepresented in AES abstracts, particularly torpediniforms (e.g., Lesser Electric Ray, Narcine bancrofti Motta, 2004a, 2004b;Dean et al, 2006Dean et al, , 2008, torpedo rays [Lowe et al, 1994]), freshwater potamotrygonid rays (Kolmann et al, 2016), and less frequently studied species of orectolobiform sharks (Ramsay and Wilga, 2007;Motta et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in Chondrichthyan Research: An Analysis of Three Decades of Conference Abstracts

Shiffman

Ajemian

Carrier

et al. 2020

Copeia

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Given the conservation status and ecological, cultural, and commercial importance of chondrichthyan fishes, it is valuable to evaluate the extent to which research attention is spread across taxa and geographic locations and to assess the degree to which scientific research is appropriately addressing the challenges they face. Here we review trends in research effort over three decades (1985-2016) through content analysis of every abstract (n ¼ 2,701) presented at the annual conference of the American Elasmobranch Society (AES), the oldest and largest professional society focused on the scientific study and management of these fishes. The most common research areas of AES abstracts were reproductive biology, movement/telemetry, age and growth, population genetics, and diet/feeding ecology, with different areas of focus for different study species or families. The most commonly studied species were large and charismatic (e.g., White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias), easily accessible to long-term established field research programs (e.g., Lemon Shark, Negaprion brevirostris, and Sandbar Shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus), or easily kept in aquaria for lab-based research (e.g., Bonnethead Shark, Sphyrna tiburo). Nearly 90% of all described chondrichthyan species have never been mentioned in an AES abstract, including some of the most threatened species in the Americas. The proportion of female* first authors has increased over time, though many current female* Society members are graduate students. Nearly half of all research presented at AES occurred in the waters of the United States rather than in the waters of developing nations where there are more threatened species and few resources for research or management. Presentations based on research areas such as paleontology and aquarium-based research have declined in frequency over time, and identified research priorities such as social science and interdisciplinary research are poorly represented. Possible research gaps and future research priorities for the study of chondrichthyan fishes are also discussed.

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“…In addition to filtering, these organisms must aggregate particles of food into a bolus prior to further digestion (Hoogenboezem & Van den Boogaart, 1993). Integration of filtration and aggregation is reflected in the morphology of the filtering apparatus ( i.e ., the gill rakers) in many ram suspension feeders that use cross‐flow, hydrosol, reticular filtration and/or mucus to filter and aggregate (Divi et al ., 2018; Hoogenboezem & Van den Boogaart, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental ecomorphology of the epibranchial organ of the silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Cohen

George

Chapman

et al. 2020

Journal of Fish Biology

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Silver carp regularly consume and digest particles of food as small as 5 μm. This ability drives their efficient consumption of phytoplankton and because they feed low on the food chain they have an important place in aquaculture worldwide. In North America, where they are considered invasive, silver carp deplete food resources for native species and in so doing occupy increased niche space. Here, we determine the ontogenetic stage and size at which silver carp are morphologically capable of primarily feeding on particles <10 μm. Ecological studies on this species have shown that there is an ontogenetic shift in diet as predominantly zooplanktivorous juveniles later switch to eating much smaller phytoplankton. The occupation of this new trophic niche presents both a metabolic and a mechanical challenge to these fish, since it is unclear how they can efficiently feed on such small particles. We hypothesize that the epibranchial organ (EBO) in silver carp is essential in aggregating these small particles of food, allowing the species to consume mass quantities of tiny particles, thus mitigating metabolic constraints. In this study, we investigate early ontogeny of the EBO in silver carp to determine when this structure achieves the requisite morphology to become functional. We find that at around 80 mm standard length (SL) the EBOs are consistently filled with food, demonstrating that this accumulating organ has become functional. This size corresponds with previous ecological data documenting important shifts in the type of food consumed. While the basic bauplan of the EBO is established very early in ontogeny (by 15 mm SL), multiple waves of histological maturation of muscle, cartilage, gill rakers and epithelium ultimately form the functional structure.

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Manta rays feed using ricochet separation, a novel nonclogging filtration mechanism

Abstract: Experimental and computational fluid dynamics indicate that manta rays use a novel filtration mechanism for feeding.

Cited by 43 publications

References 30 publications

Automated flow control of a multi-lane swimming chamber for small fishes indicates species-specific sensitivity to experimental protocols

Automated flow control of a multi-lane swimming chamber for small fishes indicates species-specific sensitivity to experimental protocols

Trends in Chondrichthyan Research: An Analysis of Three Decades of Conference Abstracts

Developmental ecomorphology of the epibranchial organ of the silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

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