Hydrodynamics of fossil fishes

Fletcher, T.; Altringham, J.; Peakall, J.; Wignall, P.; Dorrell, R.

Abstract

From their earliest origins, fishes have developed a suite of adaptations for locomotion in water, which determine performance and ultimately fitness. Even without data from behaviour, soft tissue and extant relatives, it is possible to infer a wealth of palaeobiological and palaeoecological information. As in extant species, aspects of gross morphology such as streamlining, fin position and tail type are optimized even in the earliest fishes, indicating similar life strategies have been present throughout their evolutionary history. As hydrodynamical studies become more sophisticated, increasingly complex fluid movement can be modelled, including vortex formation and boundary layer control. Drag-reducing riblets ornamenting the scales of fast-moving sharks have been subjected to particularly intense research, but this has not been extended to extinct forms. Riblets are a convergent adaptation seen in many Palaeozoic fishes, and probably served a similar hydrodynamic purpose. Conversely, structures which appear to increase skin friction may act as turbulisors, reducing overall dragwhile serving a protective function. Here,we examine the diverse adaptions that contribute to drag reduction in modern fishes and review the few attempts to elucidate the hydrodynamics of extinct forms.

Citation

Fletcher, T., Altringham, J., Peakall, J., Wignall, P., & Dorrell, R. (2014). Hydrodynamics of fossil fishes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 281(1788), 20140703-20140703. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.0703

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 20, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Jun 18, 2014
• Publication Date: Jun 18, 2014
• Deposit Date: Aug 12, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 14, 2018
• Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0962-8452
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-2954
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 281
• Issue: 1788
• Pages: 20140703-20140703
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.0703
• Keywords: Biomechanics; Comparative anatomy; Fishes; Functional morphology; Hydrodynamics; Locomotion
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/733496
• Publisher URL: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1788/20140703
• Contract Date: Aug 14, 2018