Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Biology
Hydrodynamic Performance Of The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera Acutorostrata) Flipper, L N. Cooper, N Sedano, S Johansson, B May, J D. Brown, C M. Holliday, B W. Kot, Frank E. Fish
Hydrodynamic Performance Of The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera Acutorostrata) Flipper, L N. Cooper, N Sedano, S Johansson, B May, J D. Brown, C M. Holliday, B W. Kot, Frank E. Fish
Frank E. Fish
Minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata) are the smallest member of balaenopterid whales and little is known of their kinematics during feeding maneuvers. These whales have narrow and elongated flippers that are small relative to body size compared to related species such as right and gray whales. No experimental studies have addressed the hydrodynamic properties of minke whale flippers and their functional role during feeding maneuvers. This study integrated wind tunnel, locomotion and anatomical range of motion data to identify functional parameters of the cambered minke whale flipper. A full-sized cast of a minke whale flipper was used in wind tunnel …