Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers
The coordinated motion of animal groups through fluids is thought to reduce the cost of locomotion to individuals in the group. However, the connection between the spatial patterns observed in collectively moving animals and the energetic benefits at each position within the group remains unclear. T...
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| Language: | English |
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eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
2024-12-01
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| Series: | eLife |
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| Online Access: | https://elifesciences.org/articles/96129 |
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| author | Sina Heydari Haotian Hang Eva Kanso |
| author_facet | Sina Heydari Haotian Hang Eva Kanso |
| author_sort | Sina Heydari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The coordinated motion of animal groups through fluids is thought to reduce the cost of locomotion to individuals in the group. However, the connection between the spatial patterns observed in collectively moving animals and the energetic benefits at each position within the group remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we study the spontaneous emergence of cohesive formations in groups of fish, modeled as flapping foils, all heading in the same direction. We show in pairwise formations and with increasing group size that (1) in side-by-side arrangements, the reciprocal nature of flow coupling results in an equal distribution of energy requirements among all members, with reduction in cost of locomotion for swimmers flapping inphase but an increase in cost for swimmers flapping antiphase, and (2) in inline arrangements, flow coupling is non-reciprocal for all flapping phase, with energetic savings in favor of trailing swimmers, but only up to a finite number of swimmers, beyond which school cohesion and energetic benefits are lost at once. We explain these findings mechanistically and we provide efficient diagnostic tools for identifying locations in the wake of single and multiple swimmers that offer opportunities for hydrodynamic benefits to aspiring followers. Our results imply a connection between the resources generated by flow physics and social traits that influence greedy and cooperative group behavior. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-11bcd8772dbe4b19a8283c35afbe7a3d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-084X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | eLife Sciences Publications Ltd |
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| series | eLife |
| spelling | doaj-art-11bcd8772dbe4b19a8283c35afbe7a3d2024-12-19T18:11:26ZengeLife Sciences Publications LtdeLife2050-084X2024-12-011310.7554/eLife.96129Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmersSina Heydari0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8907-5751Haotian Hang1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5217-8124Eva Kanso2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0336-585XDepartment of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United StatesDepartment of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United StatesDepartment of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United StatesThe coordinated motion of animal groups through fluids is thought to reduce the cost of locomotion to individuals in the group. However, the connection between the spatial patterns observed in collectively moving animals and the energetic benefits at each position within the group remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we study the spontaneous emergence of cohesive formations in groups of fish, modeled as flapping foils, all heading in the same direction. We show in pairwise formations and with increasing group size that (1) in side-by-side arrangements, the reciprocal nature of flow coupling results in an equal distribution of energy requirements among all members, with reduction in cost of locomotion for swimmers flapping inphase but an increase in cost for swimmers flapping antiphase, and (2) in inline arrangements, flow coupling is non-reciprocal for all flapping phase, with energetic savings in favor of trailing swimmers, but only up to a finite number of swimmers, beyond which school cohesion and energetic benefits are lost at once. We explain these findings mechanistically and we provide efficient diagnostic tools for identifying locations in the wake of single and multiple swimmers that offer opportunities for hydrodynamic benefits to aspiring followers. Our results imply a connection between the resources generated by flow physics and social traits that influence greedy and cooperative group behavior.https://elifesciences.org/articles/96129fish modelcollective behaviorhydrodynamic benefitsswimming energeticsflow couplingfluid-structure interactions |
| spellingShingle | Sina Heydari Haotian Hang Eva Kanso Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers eLife fish model collective behavior hydrodynamic benefits swimming energetics flow coupling fluid-structure interactions |
| title | Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers |
| title_full | Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers |
| title_fullStr | Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers |
| title_short | Mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow-coupled swimmers |
| title_sort | mapping spatial patterns to energetic benefits in groups of flow coupled swimmers |
| topic | fish model collective behavior hydrodynamic benefits swimming energetics flow coupling fluid-structure interactions |
| url | https://elifesciences.org/articles/96129 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sinaheydari mappingspatialpatternstoenergeticbenefitsingroupsofflowcoupledswimmers AT haotianhang mappingspatialpatternstoenergeticbenefitsingroupsofflowcoupledswimmers AT evakanso mappingspatialpatternstoenergeticbenefitsingroupsofflowcoupledswimmers |