Distributed propulsion enables fast and efficient swimming modes in physonect siphonophores.

ABSTRACT: Many fishes employ distinct swimming modes for routine swimming and predator escape. These steady and escape swimming modes are characterized by dramatically differing body kinematics that lead to context-adaptive differences in swimming performance. Physonect siphonophores, such as Nanomia bijuga, are colonial cnidarians that produce multiple jets for propulsion using swimming subunits called nectophores. Physonect siphonophores employ distinct routine and steady escape behaviors but-in contrast to fishes-do so using a decentralized propulsion system that allows them to alter the timing of thrust production, producing thrust either synchronously (simultaneously) for escape swimming or asynchronously (in sequence) for routine swimming. The swimming performance of these two swimming

SUBMITTER: Du Clos KT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9894174 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature