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Computer modelling and biomimetics for understanding the evolution of tail grasping in seahorses
Author(s) -
Adriaens Dominique,
Praet T.,
Neutens C,
Porter M.,
De Beule M.,
McKittrick J.,
Verhegghe B
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.342.3
Subject(s) - biomimetics , computer science , artificial intelligence
Seahorses are intriguing fish, having a prehensile tail. Syngnathid fishes (seahorses, pipefish, seadragons and pipehorses) are characterised by a bony armour of serially articulated plates enclosing the vertebral column and its musculature. Ancestrally, pipefish have a straight tail with limited flexibility, mainly used for steering. During evolution, the tail modified into a grasping apparatus multiple times (also pipehorses show grasping adaptations). Using 3D shape data and computer modelling on a parameterized model of the seahorse tail, we analysed the implications of muscle contractions and plate geometry. Conditions were simulated to mimic natural bending postures of living seahorses, highlighting particular relations between morphology and bending kinematics. Functional implications of evolutionary changes in syngnathid tails are then further analysed using bio‐inspired designs of serially articulated systems derived from the seahorse tail.