An experimental study of the role of the caudal fin in the swimming performance of a tropical fish, Eucinostomus lefroyi

Abou-Seedo F.S.

Date de parution: juin 1993
Volume: 17
Number: 3
Pagination: 181-185
Editeur: Société Française d'Ichtyologie
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/1993-173-001
Résumé

The effect of amputation of the caudal fin on swimming performance in the mojarra, Eucinostomus lefroyi, has been studied by measuring the oxygen consumption of tailless fish at various swimming speeds in comparison to controls with tails. At the lowest swimming speeds, removal of the tail made no significant difference to the oxygen consumption. At higher swimming speeds, the tailless fish used more oxygen and at the fastest swimming speeds, their oxygen consumption was almost double that of the controls. These results suggest that in Eucinostomus lefroyi the caudal fin is important in producing thrust during sustained swimming, particularly at high speeds.

Mots-clés: Caudal fin - Eucunostomus lefroyi - Gerreidae - Oxygen consumption - swimming
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