Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus
Anatomical and behavioral analyses suggest that the filtration mechanism of bowhead and right whales (Balaenidae) is driven by hydrodynamic as well as ram hydraulic pressures. Complementary models were devised to investigate biomechanical aspects of water flow in the buccal cavity of the bowhead wha...
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fthighwire:oai:open-archive.highwire.org:jexbio:207/20/3569 2023-05-15T15:35:59+02:00 Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus Werth, Alexander J. 2004-09-15 00:00:00.0 text/html http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/207/20/3569 https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01202 en eng Company of Biologists http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/207/20/3569 http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01202 Copyright (C) 2004, Company of Biologists Research Article TEXT 2004 fthighwire https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01202 2015-02-28T21:59:06Z Anatomical and behavioral analyses suggest that the filtration mechanism of bowhead and right whales (Balaenidae) is driven by hydrodynamic as well as ram hydraulic pressures. Complementary models were devised to investigate biomechanical aspects of water flow in the buccal cavity of the bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus during continuous filter feeding. A mathematical model was created to test and quantify water flow predictions with steady state hydromechanical equations; a physical model of the bowhead mouth (approximately 1/15 scale) was constructed to visualize flow processes. Both models rely on morphometric data obtained from whales harvested by Inupiat Eskimos for subsistence purposes along with information on foraging ecology (locomotor velocity, gape, etc.). Results indicate that unique features of balaenid oral construction and function (e.g. subrostral gap, orolabial sulcus, curvature of baleen, extensive mandibular rotation and lingual mobility) not only permit steady, unidirectional flow of water through the mouth, but also establish Bernoulli and Venturi effects during feeding. These hydrodynamic conditions allow balaenids to improve filtering efficiency and avoid creation of an anterior compressive wave (by increasing flow velocity and thereby reducing pressure) so that they may capture elusive prey even at slow swimming speeds. Text Balaena mysticetus bowhead whale eskimo* Inupiat HighWire Press (Stanford University) Journal of Experimental Biology 207 20 3569 3580 |
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HighWire Press (Stanford University) |
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English |
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Research Article |
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Research Article Werth, Alexander J. Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
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Research Article |
description |
Anatomical and behavioral analyses suggest that the filtration mechanism of bowhead and right whales (Balaenidae) is driven by hydrodynamic as well as ram hydraulic pressures. Complementary models were devised to investigate biomechanical aspects of water flow in the buccal cavity of the bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus during continuous filter feeding. A mathematical model was created to test and quantify water flow predictions with steady state hydromechanical equations; a physical model of the bowhead mouth (approximately 1/15 scale) was constructed to visualize flow processes. Both models rely on morphometric data obtained from whales harvested by Inupiat Eskimos for subsistence purposes along with information on foraging ecology (locomotor velocity, gape, etc.). Results indicate that unique features of balaenid oral construction and function (e.g. subrostral gap, orolabial sulcus, curvature of baleen, extensive mandibular rotation and lingual mobility) not only permit steady, unidirectional flow of water through the mouth, but also establish Bernoulli and Venturi effects during feeding. These hydrodynamic conditions allow balaenids to improve filtering efficiency and avoid creation of an anterior compressive wave (by increasing flow velocity and thereby reducing pressure) so that they may capture elusive prey even at slow swimming speeds. |
format |
Text |
author |
Werth, Alexander J. |
author_facet |
Werth, Alexander J. |
author_sort |
Werth, Alexander J. |
title |
Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
title_short |
Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
title_full |
Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
title_fullStr |
Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
title_full_unstemmed |
Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
title_sort |
models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus |
publisher |
Company of Biologists |
publishDate |
2004 |
url |
http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/207/20/3569 https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01202 |
genre |
Balaena mysticetus bowhead whale eskimo* Inupiat |
genre_facet |
Balaena mysticetus bowhead whale eskimo* Inupiat |
op_relation |
http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/207/20/3569 http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01202 |
op_rights |
Copyright (C) 2004, Company of Biologists |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01202 |
container_title |
Journal of Experimental Biology |
container_volume |
207 |
container_issue |
20 |
container_start_page |
3569 |
op_container_end_page |
3580 |
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1766366325438939136 |