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Journal of Experimental Biology 55,273-287 (1971)
Published by Company of Biologists 1971

The Swimming of Nymphon Gracile (Pyconogonida) : The Mechanics of the Leg-Beat Cycle

ELFED MORGAN ¹

¹ Department of Zoology and Comparative Physiology, University of Birmingham

1. The organization of the swimming legs of N. gracile has been described. The legs beat ventrally so the animal swims with the dorsal side foremost. The joints between the major segments of the leg are extended for most of the power stroke, but the distal segments articulate sequentially later in the beat, commencing with the flexion of the femoro-tibial joint at the end of the power stroke. Continued flexion reduces the leg radius considerably during the recovery stroke.

2. Animals swimming at constant depth were found to have a leg-beat frequency of about 1 beat/s. Above this the rate of ascent increased rapidly with increasing frequency of beat. Abduction or adduction of the leg usually occurred prior to the start of the power stroke with the femur in the elevated position.

3. Assuming a fixed limb profile at constant angular velocity, maximum lift was calculated to have occurred with the femur inclined at an angle of about 50° to the dorso-ventral body axis. The outward component of the lateral thrust decreased to zero at this point, and with further declination of the femur the lateral forces became inwardly directed. Of the different segments of the leg, tibia 2 and the tarsus and propodium contribute most of the hydrodynamic force.

4. The angular velocity of the leg varied during the power stroke, and the actual forces generated during two beats having the same amplitude and angular velocity but of high and low elevation were calculated. Greater lift occurred during the high-elevation beat when the leg continued to provide lift throughout the power stroke, whereas the low-elevation beat acquired negative lift values towards the end of the power stroke. The lateral thrust was now directed entirely inwards.

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