Travel at low energetic cost by swimming and wave-riding bottlenose dolphins

@article{Williams1992TravelAL,
  title={Travel at low energetic cost by swimming and wave-riding bottlenose dolphins},
  author={Thomas M. Williams and William A. Friedl and Mitchell L Fong and R. M. Yamada and Pierre Sedivy and Jeffrey E. Haun},
  journal={Nature},
  year={1992},
  volume={355},
  pages={821-823}
}
OVER the past 50 years there has been much speculation about the energetic cost of swimming and wave-riding by dolphins1–11. When aligned properly in front of the bow of moving ships1–3, in the stern wake of small boats4,5, on wind waves6, and even in the wake of larger cetaceans7–9, the animals appear to move effortlessly through the water without the benefit of propulsive strokes by the flukes. Theoretically, body streamlining as well as other anatomical and behavioural adaptations contribute… 
View on Springer
williams.eeb.ucsc.edu
160 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
16
Background Citations
68
Methods Citations
6
Results Citations
5

160 Citations

Citation Type

Citation Type

Swimming and diving energetics in dolphins: a stroke-by-stroke analysis for predicting the cost of flight responses in wild odontocetes
TLDR
Elevated locomotor costs during high-speed stroking by swimming dolphins demonstrate the energetic challenge of escape responses due to anthropogenic noise in the ocean, and provides a powerful tool for predicting the biological significance ofescape responses by cetaceans facing anthropogenic disturbances.
Energy Conservation by Formation Swimming - Metabolic Evidence From Ducklings
TLDR
Findings suggest that the flow pattern generated by the formation and in the wake of an adult reduces the resistance of the water to locomotion andows an individuai duckling to conserve energy.
The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). II. Biomechanics and changes in buoyancy at depth.
TLDR
Modifying locomotor patterns to account for physical changes with depth appears to be one mechanism that enables diving mammals with limited oxygen stores to extend the duration of a dive.
Dynamics and Energetics of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Fluke-and-Glide Gait
Intermittent locomotion composed of periods of active flapping/stroking followed by inactive gliding has been observed with species that inhabit both aerial and marine environments. However, studies…
UNDERWATER SWIMMING AT LOW ENERGETIC COST BY PYGOSCELID PENGUINS
Energetic requirements of under-water swimming in pygoscelid penguins were studied in Antarctica, using respirometry together with a 21 m long swim canal and externally attached devices recording the…
Energetics of swimming by the platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus: metabolic effort associated with rowing.
TLDR
The efficient aquatic locomotion of the platypus results from its specialised rowing mode in conjunction with enlarged and flexible forefeet for high thrust generation and a behavioral strategy that reduces drag and energy cost by submerged swimming.
Hitching a ride: the formation locomotion strategy of dolphin calves
TLDR
This study demonstrates empirically that 0‐1 month-old dolphin calves in echelon position are afforded locomotor advantages as evident by increased swim performance with concurrent reductions in effort.
POWER OUTPUT AND PROPULSIVE EFFICIENCY OF SWIMMING BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)
Summary The power output and propulsive efficiency of swimming bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were determined from a hydromechanica l model. The propulsive movements were filmed as dolphins…
Free-swimming northern elephant seals have low field metabolic rates that are sensitive to an increased cost of transport
TLDR
It is concluded that elephant seals and other ocean predators occupying similar niches may be particularly sensitive to increased transport costs incurred when avoiding unanticipated disturbances, and limited capacity to modify their locomotory behaviour without increasing their transport costs.
Intermittent Swimming by Mammals: A Strategy for Increasing Energetic Efficiency During Diving1
TLDR
Intermittent forms of locomotion, including wave-riding and porpoising when near the water surface, and prolonged gliding and a stroke and glide mode of propulsion when diving, enabled marine mammals to increase the efficiency of aquatic locomotion.
...
...

References

SHOWING 1-10 OF 20 REFERENCES
At high speeds dolphins save energy by leaping
TLDR
Dolphin swimming in terms of energy required per unit distance travelled is examined and it is reported here that beyond a certain ‘crossover’ speed, leaping must be more efficient than swimming.
Energetics of leaping in dolphins and other aquatic animals
  • R. Blake
  • Environmental Science, Physics
  • 1983
The energetics of leaping (porpoising) in aquatic animals is investigated employing two simple hydromechanical models. The first compares the energy required for swimming at different depths below…
Wave-Riding Dolphins
TLDR
Rough figures indicate that by breathing, dolphins can become lighter or heavier than the water which they displace, and it is assumed that wave-riding dolphins remain 'heavy' in water by expelling tidal air.
Studies in Animal Locomotion: VI. The Propulsive Powers of the Dolphin
TLDR
Observation of the flow of particles past the surface of models similar in form to a fish or dolphin shows that rhythmical movements, such as are characteristic of the body and caudal fin of the living animals, exert an accelerating effect on the surrounding water in the direction of the posterior end of the model.
Swimming Performance and Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Harbor Seals Phoca vitulina
TLDR
From calculations, body drag during gliding phases may more than double during active swimming by seals and influences the swimming performance of these animals.
The Respiratory Metabolism and Swimming Performance of Young Sockeye Salmon
TLDR
Rate of replacement of oxygen debt following fatigue was determined by tracing the return to a resting state of metabolism, and confirmed by re-tests at fatigue velocities, and in most instances the rate declined logarithmically with time.
Respiration and Deep Diving in the Bottlenose Porpoise
A bottlenose porpoise was trained to dive untethered in the open ocean and to exhale into an underwater collecting funnel before surfacing from prescribed depths down to 300 meters. The animal was…
The Bottlenose dolphin
TLDR
A review of Incidents Involving Wild, Sociable Dolphins, Worldwide and a review of the Signature Whistle Hypothesis for the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin.
ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN: A REVIEW
TLDR
Most bottlenose dolphins studied to date have had definable home ranges, and behavioral, morphological and biochemical information indicates discrete stocks in some areas, but dolphins appear to form relatively permanent social groups based on sex and age.
Hydrodynamic Performance of Porpoises (Stenella attenuata)
TLDR
Two specimens of Stenella attenuata, trained to chase a winchtowed lure, reached a top speed of 11.03 meters per second (21.4 knots) in 2.0 seconds, and the maximum power output per unit body weight was 50 percent greater than for human athletes.
...
...