Locomotion Of The Dolphin
Body Type:
Diving Physiology
1) During diving marine mammals have to conserve oxygen reserves with the metabolic costs of swimming. The effect of limited oxygen supply and locomotive performance has been studied. To compensate dolphins use a variety of different swimming methods to maximize their performance. It was shown that the deeper the depths the more gliding occurs. Gliding leads to less energy consumption. Each of the gliding patterns were attributed to changes in buoyancy associated with lung compression at deeper depths. The more gliding that occurs the more that energy is conserved. This conservation is related to a 10-21% energetic savings. This study shows that changes in locomotor patterns with deeper depths helps with energy conservation to extend the duration of the their dives.
Body Type:
- Before extensive research it was thought that the sheer speed of dolphins was solely due to their incredible power. Research has now found that their body shape has a great deal to do with there incredible speed.
- The main power behind their swimming comes from vertical oscillations of the tail and flukes. Most species are capable of sustained swimming speeds of up to 18.6 mph and they jump at this high speeds traveling 30 ft or more.
- The muscles of a dolphin are capable of generating energy at a rate at least seven times greater than that of other types of mammalian muscle.
- The characteristics of the caudal fin of the dolphin allow for the prevention of turbulence and the flow of water past the body.
Diving Physiology
1) During diving marine mammals have to conserve oxygen reserves with the metabolic costs of swimming. The effect of limited oxygen supply and locomotive performance has been studied. To compensate dolphins use a variety of different swimming methods to maximize their performance. It was shown that the deeper the depths the more gliding occurs. Gliding leads to less energy consumption. Each of the gliding patterns were attributed to changes in buoyancy associated with lung compression at deeper depths. The more gliding that occurs the more that energy is conserved. This conservation is related to a 10-21% energetic savings. This study shows that changes in locomotor patterns with deeper depths helps with energy conservation to extend the duration of the their dives.
Works Cited: Gilby, K. (2003). The Dolphin Place. Dolphin Facts.
Gray, J. (1936). Studies In Animal Locomotion VI. The propulsive powers of the dolphin. Journal of experimental biology, 13(2), 192-199.
Skrovan, R. C., Williams, T. M., Berry, P. S., Moore, P. W., & Davis, R. W. (1999). The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). II. Biomechanics and changes in buoyancy at depth. Journal of Experimental Biology, 202(20), 2749-2761.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8RoFdyYY3s
Gray, J. (1936). Studies In Animal Locomotion VI. The propulsive powers of the dolphin. Journal of experimental biology, 13(2), 192-199.
Skrovan, R. C., Williams, T. M., Berry, P. S., Moore, P. W., & Davis, R. W. (1999). The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). II. Biomechanics and changes in buoyancy at depth. Journal of Experimental Biology, 202(20), 2749-2761.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8RoFdyYY3s