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Full-Text Articles in Biology

Using A Bio-Inspired Model To Understand The Evolution Of The Remora Adhesive Disk, Kaelyn Mykel Gamel May 2017

Using A Bio-Inspired Model To Understand The Evolution Of The Remora Adhesive Disk, Kaelyn Mykel Gamel

Theses

Manmade adhesives often fail on wet, compliant surfaces, which can result in poor performance when attaching sensors in medical, defense, and research situations. However, a number of fishes have evolved adhesive discs that allow adhesion to surfaces under challenging wetted conditions. A remarkable evolutionary advancement is found in the family of echenidae, colloquially known as the remora. In particular, the remora fishes have the ability to attach to wet, compliant bodies under high shear conditions for extended periods of time. This research addresses the lack of underwater adhesives by using remora adhesion as a bioinspired model. Evolution has taken …


Otolith Morphologies In The Genus Sinocyclocheilus, Iqra Iqbal Jan 2017

Otolith Morphologies In The Genus Sinocyclocheilus, Iqra Iqbal

Theses

Sinocyclocheilus is a genus of Cyprinid fish found in southern China. This genus contains 68 species of which 40 species have adaptations for life in cave habitats. A common adaptation seen in fish that live in caves with no light is the loss of vision. Such cavefish must therefore rely on other sensory modalities to capture prey, communicate between conspecifics, and potentially avoid predators. Previous studies have identified sensory adaptations in cavefish, including the increase in size and number of mechanoreceptors. Sinocyclocheilus are hearing specialists, and it is possible that cave species of this genus have increased reliance on hearing …


Changes In Morphology During The Development Of The Horn And Hump Of The Chinese Cavefish Sinocyclocheillus Furcodorsalis, Michelle Pluviose Jan 2017

Changes In Morphology During The Development Of The Horn And Hump Of The Chinese Cavefish Sinocyclocheillus Furcodorsalis, Michelle Pluviose

Theses

The genus Sinocyclocheilus endemic to southern China and contains many cavefish species. There are approximately sixty species, of which roughly forty are cave-adapted. Cave Sinocyclocheilus are characterized not only by lack of pigmentation and eyes depending on the species, but also by a unique prominent horn on the top of the skull and dorsal hump rostral under the dorsal fin. The horn and the hump are generally considered troglomorphic characteristics, although their functions are still elusive. Here, the development of these distinctive structures in the species, S. furcodorsalis, was examined by using micro CT scans. The horn of the …