24 Q 14

Compare the swimming movements of eels with those of trout, and explain why the latter are more efficient for rapid locomotion.

There is a general rule that the larger the fish the faster it swims. The propulsion mechanism of a trout is its trunk and the muscles in its tail. Its body is composed of zigzag bands in the shape of a W called myomeres. When folded, each myomere extends over several vertebrae. The myomere arrangement produces more power and finer control of movement since many myomeres are involved in bending a given segment of the body. The movement of an eel is serpentine with waves of contraction moving backwards along its body by alternate contracton of myomeres on either side. The anterior end moves less than the posterior end allowing amplitude to increase as it travels along the body. The bending of the body pushes laterally against the water producing a reacting force that is directed forward. CD

They also use their trunk and tail muscles for locomotion! KD

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