Plankton reach new heights in effort to avoid predators

Gemmell, Brad J.; Jiang, Houshuo; Strickler, J. Rudi; Buskey, Edward J.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.0163

Cited by 20 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…Organisms ranging in size from large marine mammals and sharks (e.g. Brunnschweiler, 2005;Davenport, 1990;Hester et al, 1963;Hui, 1989) to small copepods (Gemmell et al, 2012) have developed aquatic jumping strategies compatible with their size and survival goals (e.g. prey capture, escape, mating or migration).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archer fish jumping prey capture: kinematics and hydrodynamics

Shih

Mendelson

Techet

2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Smallscale archer fish, Toxotes microlepis, are best known for spitting jets of water to capture prey, but also hunt by jumping out of the water to heights of up to 2.5 body lengths. In this study, high-speed imaging and particle image velocimetry were used to characterize the kinematics and hydrodynamics of this jumping behavior. Jumping used a set of kinematics distinct from those of in-water feeding strikes and was segmented into three phases: (1) hovering to sight prey at the surface, (2) rapid upward thrust production and (3) gliding to the prey once out of the water. The number of propulsive tail strokes positively correlated with the height of the bait, as did the peak body velocity observed during a jump. During the gliding stage, the fish traveled ballistically; the kinetic energy when the fish left the water balanced with the change in potential energy from water exit to the maximum jump height. The ballistic estimate of the mechanical energy required to jump was comparable with the estimated mechanical energy requirements of spitting a jet with sufficient momentum to down prey and subsequently pursuing the prey in water. Particle image velocimetry showed that, in addition to the caudal fin, the wakes of the anal, pectoral and dorsal fins were of nontrivial strength, especially at the onset of thrust production. During jump initiation, these fins were used to produce as much vertical acceleration as possible given the spatial constraint of starting directly at the water's surface to aim.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archer fish jumping prey capture: kinematics and hydrodynamics

Shih

Mendelson

Techet

2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…In contrast to these large animals, a few planktonic species (i.e. copepods) less than 3 mm in length have been observed to successfully jump to avoid predatory fish [9]. The primary benefit of jumping is a reduced drag force in air relative to water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The primary benefit of jumping is a reduced drag force in air relative to water. Lower drag allows plankton to temporarily achieve greater velocities and cover longer distances [9]. This is important to minimize the chance of remaining in the predator's perceptive field upon re-entry into the water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic criteria of plankton jumping out of water

Kim

Hasanyan

Gemmell

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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In nature, jumping out of water is a behaviour commonly observed in aquatic species to either escape from predators or hunt prey. However, not all aquatic species are capable of jumping out, especially small organisms whose length scales are comparable to the capillary length (approx. 2.7 mm for water). Some aquatic animals smaller than the capillary length are able to jump out while others are not, as observed in some marine copepods. To understand the dynamics of jumping out of the water-air interface, we perform physical experiments by shooting a spherical particle towards the liquid-air interface from below. Experimental results show that the particle either penetrates or bounces back from the interface, depending on the particle and fluid properties, and the impact velocity. The transition from bouncing to penetration regimes, which is theoretically predicted based on a particle force balance, is in good agreement with both physical experiments and plankton behavioural data.

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“…Pontellid copepods are capable of escaping predators by jumping into the air (Gemmell et al 2012). Although neustonic, pontellids can be further divided into categories based on their migration behavior; for example, some pontellids stay permanently in the top 10 cm (termed 'euneustonic', e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neustonic copepods (Labidocera spp.) discovered living residentially in coral reefs

et al. 2017

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Pontellid copepods are archetypical representatives of the neuston-the highly specialized community living in the top 5-10 cm of the ocean surface. Their deep blue pigmentation and large eyes are unique adaptations to surface irradiation and carnivory, but poor prerequisites for survival in the transparent waters beneath the sea surface. Here, we report the discovery of three reef-associated representatives of this group-Labidocera bataviae A. Scott, 1909; L. pavo Giesbrecht, 1889; and Labidocera sp.-living residential in coral reefs. We (1) document the presence of Labidocera spp. for two separate coral reefs on two expeditions to Papua New Guinea, (2) describe their migration behavior and substrate preference, and (3) quantify the effects of benthic reef community composition on their abundance. All life stages of Labidocera spp. were 43 to 94 times as abundant at the reef sites as in offshore sites. Although pontellids are generally considered non-migrators, Labidocera spp. showed discernible diel vertical migrations: living in reef substrates during the day, emerging into the water column at night (sometimes more than once), and returning to the substrate at dawn. Labidocera spp. showed a pronounced substrate preference for coral rubble, microalgae, and turf, over branching coral, massive boulder coral, and sand.

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Plankton reach new heights in effort to avoid predators

Cited by 20 publications

References 39 publications

Archer fish jumping prey capture: kinematics and hydrodynamics

Archer fish jumping prey capture: kinematics and hydrodynamics

Dynamic criteria of plankton jumping out of water

Neustonic copepods (Labidocera spp.) discovered living residentially in coral reefs

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