Premium
The functional role of the caudal fin in the feeding ecology of the common thresher shark Alopias vulpinus
Author(s) -
Aalbers S. A.,
Bernal D.,
Sepulveda C. A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02616.x
Subject(s) - biology , fish fin , fin , predation , fishery , anatomy , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , materials science , composite material
This study tests the hypothesis that the common thresher shark Alopias vulpinus uses its elongate caudal fin to both produce thrust and immobilize prey during feeding. Underwater video recorded in southern California from 2007 to 2009 revealed 34 feeding events, all of which were initiated with the upper lobe of the caudal fin.