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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 …