Interfacial vortex recapture enhances thrust in tiny water skaters.

ABSTRACT: Vortex recapture underpins the exceptional mobility of nature's finest fliers and swimmers. Utilized by agile fruit flies and efficient jellyfish, this phenomenon is well-documented in bulk fluids. Despite extensive studies on organismal locomotion at the water's surface, a vital fluidic interface where diverse life forms interact, hydrodynamics of interfacial vortex recapture remains unexplored. We investigate interfacial (on water) vortical hydrodynamics in Microvelia americana, one of the smallest and fastest water striders, skating at 50 body lengths per second (BL/s) or 15 cm/s. Their middle legs shed counter-rotating vortices, re-energized by their hind legs, demonstrating interfacial vortex recapture. High-speed imaging, particle imaging velocimetry, physical models, and CFD

SUBMITTER: Rohilla P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11974687 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature