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John_Elder_Thesis_v4.pdf (1.49 MB)

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The Sensory Basis of Rheotaxis in Turbulent Flow

Elder, John Price
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1402238282

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Rheotaxis is a robust, multisensory behavior with many potential benefits for fish and other aquatic animals, yet the influence of different fluvial conditions on rheotactic performance and its sensory basis is still poorly understood. Here, we examine the role that vision and the lateral line play in the rheotactic behavior of a stream-dwelling species (Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus) under both rectilinear and turbulent flow conditions. Turbulence enhanced overall rheotactic strength and lowered the flow speed at which rheotaxis was initiated; this effect did not depend on the availability of either visual or lateral line information. Compared to fish without access to visual information, fish with access to visual information exhibited increased levels of positional stability and as a result, increased levels of rheotactic accuracy. No disruption in rheotactic performance was found when the lateral line was disabled, suggesting that this sensory system is not necessary for either rheotaxis or turbulence detection under the conditions of this study.
Sheryl Coombs, PhD (Advisor)
Paul Moore, PhD (Committee Member)
Moira van Staaden, PhD (Committee Member)
47 p.
Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biology; Experiments; Neurosciences; Organismal Biology; Zoology
Biology; rheotaxis; fish swimming behavior; lateral line; vision; turbulence; station holding; particle image velocimetry; optic flow

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Elder, J. P. (2014). The Sensory Basis of Rheotaxis in Turbulent Flow [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1402238282

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Elder, John. The Sensory Basis of Rheotaxis in Turbulent Flow. 2014. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1402238282.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Elder, John. "The Sensory Basis of Rheotaxis in Turbulent Flow." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1402238282

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1402238282
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.