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Wing-loading, stability and morphometric relationships in flying fish (Exocoetidae) from the North-eastern Atlantic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

John Davenport
John Davenport
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Marine Science Laboratories, University of North Wales, Menai Bridge, Gwynedd, LL 5EH. Present address: University Marine Biological Station, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, KA28 0EG
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Extract

‘Four-winged’ flying fish (in which both pectoral and pelvic fins are hypertrophied) reach greater maximum sizes than ‘two-winged’ forms in which only the pectoral fins are enlarged. Exocoetus obtusirostris shows negatively allometric growth in relation to standard length in terms of body mass (b=2·981), and lateral fin area (b=1·834). In consequence, wing-loading rises in positive allometric fashion with standard length (b=l·236). Pectoral fin length cannot be greater than 78–79% of standard length or swimming will be impaired, so the requirement for increased flying speed resulting from increased wing-loading during growth means that lift:drag ratios have to be improved by relatively narrowed wings and tapered wing tips; features which in turn increase wing-loading. Evidence is presented to show that hypertrophied pelvic fins in four-wingers are required to solve problems of stability in pitch, rather than to decrease wing-loading. The ‘non-flying’ flying fish, Oxyporhamphus micropterus, has very high wing-loadings, but the main reason that it cannot fly is that the centre of gravity of the fish is so far behind the pectoral fins that stalling on take-off would be inevitable. Flying fish possess reasonable quantities of red axial musculature, but no more than are used for cruising in fast-moving pelagic fish such as mackerel; it seems probable that acceleration to take-off speed in flying fish requires use of anaerobic white muscles.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 72 , Issue 1 , February 1992 , pp. 25 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1992

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