Volumetric Flow Imaging Reveals the Importance of Vortex Ring Formation in Squid Swimming Tail-First and Arms-First

• Main Authors: Bartol, Ian K., Krueger, Paul S., Jastrebsky, Rachel A., Williams, Sheila, Thompson, Joseph T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: ODU Digital Commons 2016
• Subjects: Cephalopod; Jet locomotion; Fin motion; Volumetric velocimetry; Wake dynamics; Biomechanics; Marine Biology; Eta; DML
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biology_fac_pubs/197; https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1205&context=biology_fac_pubs

Squids use a pulsed jet and fin movements to swim both arms-first (forward) and tail-first (backward). Given the complexity of the squid multi-propulsor system, 3D velocimetry techniques are required for the comprehensive study of wake dynamics. Defocusing digital particle tracking velocimetry, a volumetric velocimetry technique, and high-speed videography were used to study arms-first and tail-first swimming of brief squid Lolliguncula brevis over a broad range of speeds [0-10 dorsal mantle lengths (DML) s-1) in a swim tunnel. Although there was considerable complexity in the wakes of these multi-propulsor swimmers, 3D vortex rings and their derivatives were prominent reoccurring features during both tail-first and arms-first swimming, with the greatest jet and fin flow complexity occurring at intermediate speeds (1.5-3.0 DML s-1). The jet generally produced the majority of thrust during rectilinear swimming, increasing in relative importance with speed, and the fins provided no thrust at speeds >4.5 DML s-1. For both swimming orientations, the fins sometimes acted as stabilizers, producing negative thrust (drag), and consistently provided lift at low/intermediate speeds (<2.0 DML s-1) to counteract negative buoyancy. Propulsive efficiency (η) increased with speed irrespective of swimming orientation, and eta for swimming sequences with clear isolated jet vortex rings was significantly greater (η=78.6 +/- 7.6%, mean +/- s.d.) than that for swimming sequences with clear elongated regions of concentrated jet vorticity (η=67.9 +/- 19.2%). This study reveals the complexity of 3D vortex wake flows produced by nekton with hydrodynamically distinct propulsors.