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First published online September 14, 2007
Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 3422-3429 (2007)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2007
doi: 10.1242/jeb.005744
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Efficiency of labriform swimming in the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

Emily A. Jones, Kaitlyn S. Lucey and David J. Ellerby*

Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: dellerby{at}wellesley.edu)

Accepted 27 July 2001

Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) swim in the labriform mode at low speeds, generating lift and thrust by beating their pectoral fins. The maximal power output available from the two largest pectoral fin adductor and abductor muscles, constituting half of the total pectoral girdle muscle mass, was measured in vitro and used to estimate the muscle mechanical power output during maximal labriform swimming (Pmech; 0.15–0.21 W kg–1 body mass). Respirometry was used to estimate the total metabolic power input (Ptotal; 0.95 W kg–1 body mass) and the metabolic power available to the active muscle mass (Pmuscle; Ptotal minus standard metabolic rate, 0.57 W kg–1 body mass) at this swimming speed. Drag measurements made on towed, dead fish were used to estimate the mechanical power required to overcome body drag (Pdrag; 0.028 W kg–1 body mass). Efficiency estimates based on these data fell into the following ranges: overall swimming efficiency ({eta}gross=Pmech/Ptotal), 0.16–0.22; muscle efficiency ({eta}muscle=Pmech/Pmuscle), 0.26–0.37; and propeller efficiency ({eta}prop=Pdrag/Pmech), 0.15–0.20. Comparison with other studies suggests that labriform swimming may be more efficient than swimming powered by undulations of the body axis.

Key words: fish swimming, mechanical power, efficiency


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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2007