Biomechanics and neural control of pectoral fins in fishes

My goal is to understand the structure and mechanics of the pectoral fin system through development in actinopterygian fishes. In order to address this goal I set out to explore the kinematics, functional morphology and neural control of pectoral fin movements in fishes, comparing across developmental stages and among taxa.; There has been little research addressing larval fish swimming, in particular swimming that involves the pectoral fins. Changes in fin structure, including nerves, muscles and the skeleton from larvae to adults presumably affect the way the pectoral fins function. In order to understand the relationship between form and function at different life history stages, I explored the development of the pectoral fin skeleton, nerves and muscles along with behavioral changes in swimming mode in the zebrafsh. Additionally taxa encompassing a variety of primary pectoral fin swimmers were examined to address fin function across multiple taxa and to predict fin function.; The results of this investigation have key implications for understanding the physical interaction of developing fins with the environment, the neuromuscular structure and function in vertebrate limbs, and basic information about the neurons necessary for paired fin movement; as well as practical applications for engineers designing control systems for fin-like propulsors. This work also provides functional results of developmental and evolutionary changes in fin morphology. Understanding how fishes control and produce fin movements will provide important physiological and mechanical principles that can be applied to address a more complete understanding of movement in other more complex vertebrate systems.