Fig. 5. Thermal plasticity of fast-start behaviour in the long-spined sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis Euphr.). (A,B) Representative contour plots showing how the non-dimensional body curvature, , changes with time and body position (0=snout, 1.0=tail) during fast-starts. L, body length. (A) Results for a 15°C-acclimated fish tested at 20°C; (B) results for a 5°C-acclimated fish tested at 20°C. The slope of the solid line is inversely proportional to the rate at which the wave of curvature (Û, s^-1) travels down the fish. The grey area indicates the period over which the mean inertial power requirements were calculated. (C) The velocity of the wave of curvature (Û) travelling down the body of the fish for 5°C-acclimated (circles) and 15°C-acclimated (triangles) individuals. (D) The power requirements of the contralateral contraction of escape responses. An asterisk indicates significant differences between acclimated groups at 0.8 and 20°C. Values are means ± S.E.M. (N=7). From Temple (1998).

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