Zebrafish swimming in the flow: a particle image velocimetry study

Abstract

Zebrafish is emerging as a species of choice for the study of a number of biomechanics problems, including balance development, schooling, and neuromuscular transmission. The precise quantification of the flow physics around swimming zebrafish is critical toward a mechanistic understanding of the complex swimming style of this fresh-water species. Although previous studies have elucidated the vortical structures in the wake of zebrafish swimming in placid water, the flow physics of zebrafish swimming against a water current remains unexplored. In an effort to illuminate zebrafish swimming in a dynamic environment reminiscent of its natural habitat, we experimentally investigated the locomotion and hydrodynamics of a single zebrafish swimming in a miniature water tunnel using particle image velocimetry. Our results on zebrafish locomotion detail the role of flow speed on tail beat undulations, heading direction, and swimming speed. Our findings on zebrafish hydrodynamics offer a precise quantification of vortex shedding during zebrafish swimming and demonstrate that locomotory patterns play a central role on the flow physics. This knowledge may help clarify the evolutionary advantage of burst and cruise swimming movements in zebrafish.

Widening control of fin inter‐rays in zebrafish and inferences about actinopterygian fins

“…Caudal fin has been associated to thrust generation (Mwaffo et al. ), whereas pectoral fins have been related to fish manoeuvring or hovering (Lauder et al. ; Alben et al.…”

“…In principle, these morphological variants are not observed to the same extent in all fins, being rare in caudal and pectoral fins (Table S3). Caudal fin has been associated to thrust generation (Mwaffo et al 2017), whereas pectoral fins have been related to fish manoeuvring or hovering (Lauder et al 2002;Alben et al 2007). Inter-ray widths and the rigidity of rays have been involved in vortex-generation, a hydrodynamic structure crucial for motion control during swimming (Lauder et al 2002).…”

Distribution and restoration of serotonin-immunoreactive paraneuronal cells during caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish

“…The values displayed in (Fig. 9E) are derived from (Palstra et al, 2010;Mwaffo et al, 2017), and are presented as an approximation of the caudal fin dynamics during the cruising propulsion mode. An estimate of the caudal fin length is used to calculate the Reynolds number so as to remain in the framework of the plate model, which explains a lower range than what is usually obtained when the whole fish size is used as the characteristic length in equation (2).…”

How shape and flapping rate affect the distribution of fluid forces on flexible hydrofoils

“…The research field making use of PIV/PTV-based pressure evaluation covers a large collection of hydrodynamics problems, from micro-channel junction flow and turbine blades to animal locomotion (Gresho & Sani 1987;Baur & Köngeter 1999;Gurka et al 1999;Jakobsen, Dewhirst & Greated 1999;Fujisawa et al 2006;Liu & Katz 2006;van Oudheusden, Scarano & Casimiri 2006;Murai et al 2007;van Oudheusden et al 2007;van Oudheusden 2008;Windsor 2008;Jardin, David & Farcy 2009;Lorenzoni et al 2009;Khodarahmi et al 2010;de Kat & van Oudheusden 2012;Ragni, van Oudheusden & Scarano 2012;de Kat & Ganapathisubramani 2013;van Oudheusden 2013;Panciroli & Porfiri 2013;Dabiri et al 2014;Joshi, Liu & Katz 2014;Tronchin, David & Farcy 2015;Lucas et al 2017;McClure & Yarusevych 2017;Mwaffo et al 2017). Accurate and non-invasive methods to measure the fluid forces directly on the surface of flapping fins are essential to investigate the mechanisms of underwater propulsion.…”