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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
A Tail’S Tale: Biomechanical Roles Of Dorsal Thoracic Spine Of Barnacle Nauplii, Emily Branam , '21, J. Y. Wong, B. K. K. Chan, Kit Yu Karen Chan
A Tail’S Tale: Biomechanical Roles Of Dorsal Thoracic Spine Of Barnacle Nauplii, Emily Branam , '21, J. Y. Wong, B. K. K. Chan, Kit Yu Karen Chan
Biology Faculty Works
Many marine invertebrates have complex life histories that begin with a planktonic larval stage. Similar to other plankton, these larval invertebrates often possess protruding body extensions, but their function beyond predator deterrence is not well-documented. For example, the planktonic nauplii of crustaceans have spines. Using the epibiotic pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis spp., we investigated how the dorsal thoracic spine affects swimming and fluid disturbance by comparing nauplii with their spines partially removed against those with intact spines. Our motion analysis showed that amputated Octolasmis spp. swam slower, in jerkier trajectories, and were less efficient per stroke cycle than those with intact …
Mechanical Properties Of Sediment Determine Burrowing Success And Influence Distribution Of Two Lugworm Species, R. L. Crane, Rachel Merz
Mechanical Properties Of Sediment Determine Burrowing Success And Influence Distribution Of Two Lugworm Species, R. L. Crane, Rachel Merz
Biology Faculty Works
We apply new perspectives on how organisms burrow by examining the association of in situ variation in sediment mechanical properties with burrowing ability and species distribution of two sympatric lugworms, Abarenicola pacifica and Abarenicola claparedi. We quantified the sediment's resistance to penetration and its grain size distribution at sites inhabited by each species. Abarenicola pacifica individuals were found in significantly harder to penetrate, more heterogeneous sediments. We compared worm burrowing ability using reciprocal transplant experiments. Worms from firmer sediments, A. pacifica, were able to make successful steep burrows in sediments characteristic of either species. In contrast, A. claparedi individuals often …