Proportions of the jaw mechanism of cichlid fishes changes and their meaning

Acta Biotheoretica 34 (2-4):207-217 (1985)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The jaw mechanism of cichlid fishes is an intricate apparatus with complex force transmission from muscles to environment. The proportions of this apparatus change considerably during growth mainly due to scale effects. In adult fishes, the proportions differ, corresponding with the type of preferred food. In such a complex mechanism, it is very hard to gain insight into the functional meaning of the differences in proportions, unless a biomechanical model is constructed, describing kinematics and force equilibria of the apparatus.Such a model has been constructed and by means of perturbation analysis anatomical points could be selected of which the positions are very important for the function of biting. These hot spots need only small displacements in order to obtain an increase in biting force. By means of a newly developed mathematical technique, it was possible to move the anatomical points in very small steps towards more favourable positions for the function of biting.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 103,388

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Functional explanation in biology.Arno Wouters - 2005 - Poznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities 84 (1):269-293.

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
30 (#787,710)

6 months
4 (#864,415)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?