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Journal of Experimental Biology 138,399-411 (1988)
Published by Company of Biologists 1988

Biomechanics of Frog Swimming : I. Estimation of the Propulsive Force Generated by Hymenochirus Boettgeri

JULIANNA M. GAL ¹ and R. W. BLAKE ²

¹ Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada; Department of Pure and Applied Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
² Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada

Ciné films were used to study swimming in the frog, Hymenochirus boettgeri (Tornier) during near-vertical breathing excursions. The animals generally decelerated during hindlimb flexion (recovery phase) and accelerated throughout hindlimb extension (power phase). Body velocity patterns of frogs are distinct from those of other drag-based paddlers, such as angelfish and water boatman, where the body is accelerated and decelerated within the power stroke phase. The propulsive force, estimated for a single sequence from quasi-steady drag and inertial considerations, was positive throughout extension. The upper and lower bounds of this estimate were calculated by considering additional components of the force balance, including the net effect of gravity and buoyancy, and the longitudinal added mass forces associated with the body. Consideration of the force balance implies that simple drag-based propulsion may not be sufficient to explain the swimming patterns observed in frogs.

Key words: frog, swimming biomechanics, motion analysis, drag

Accepted on March 16, 1988

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