Integrative Organismal Biology最新文献

{"title":"You Should Look a Gift Ungulate in the Mouth: Using 2D Occlusal Cheek Tooth Morphology to Study the Evolution of Molarization in Ungulates.","authors":"A J Ashbaugh, H A Jamniczky, J M Theodor","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag025","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cheek teeth are filled to the cusp with information about mammalian evolution. Studying the evolution of mammalian cheek tooth crown complexity has benefited our understanding of mammalian evolution in developmental, morphological, and ecological contexts. Most work is focused on individual cheek tooth loci as opposed to considering the premolars and molars as serial homologues. This focus on individual tooth loci has left the exploration of inter-regional phenomena understudied. One such phenomenon is the molarization of premolars across hoofed mammals; some have simple unicuspid premolars while others have premolar crowns that are equal in complexity to their molars. Many developmental models have been proposed to understand cheek tooth evolution, but minimal work has been done to synthesize these models into a holistic understanding of cheek tooth crown complexity evolution. We investigated if applying a synergized theoretical framework of the inhibitory and patterning cascade model to artiodactyl and perissodactyl taxa could be used to study the evolution of molarization in hoofed mammals. We applied an existing 2D landmarking scheme for the upper and lower premolar molar boundaries of hoofed mammals to capture the morphology across this important identity boundary. Shape data were analyzed through phylogenetically informed modularity analyses to capture the covariation structure at the upper and lower premolar-molar boundaries. A-priori modularity hypotheses were proposed based on developmental models including the patterning cascade model and the inhibitory cascade model. Both artiodactyl and perissodactyl results showed support for modularity across the upper and lower premolar molar boundary but showed more variation in the upper premolar molar boundary. Artiodactyls show consistency in support for modularity hypotheses between upper and lower premolar molar boundaries where perissodactyls show significant differences in support for modularity hypotheses between upper and lower premolar molar boundaries. Our results illustrate that the covariation structure at the premolar molar boundary has convergent and divergent elements that both have consequences for our understanding of the evolution of molarization within and between artiodactyls and perissodactyls.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag025"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13266073/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148264265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bridging Science Across Species: A Biomechanics Outreach Event at the Zoo.","authors":"Cassie Shriver, Audra Davidson, Henry C Astley, Saad Bhamla, Kai L Yung, Danielle S Adams, V David Munteanu, Richard W Blob, Charles Hammer, Skylar Taylor, Young-Hui Chang, David L Hu, Michelle Kolar, Staci Wiech, Joseph R Mendelson Iii, Andrew K Schulz","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag022","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Outreach events are an excellent way to expose science disciplines to the public beyond the ivory tower of academics. In this paper, we describe how a zoo-academia collaborative team designed and hosted an interdisciplinary outreach event exposing thousands to the wonders of bio-inspired design and biomechanics. Over the past 4 years, we have run such a collaborative outreach event which has attracted 26,750 people, allowing children and adults to be exposed to diverse research fields through our annual Zoo Biomechanics Day. In partnering with labs, companies, and student organizations, we have hosted 17 unique booths highlighting human, plant, and animal biomechanics and bio-inspiration to showcase engaging demonstrations of science, technology, engineering, arts, and medicine principles. This event is low-cost ([Formula: see text] annually) while increasing attendance at the zoo by over 65% compared to similar non-event days. Furthermore, participating researchers get connected to the zoo, allowing discussions of new collaborative research between the zoo and universities. This paper will serve as a framework for others to host events which highlight the zoo-university collaborations that enhance the dual objectives of outreach and research at modern zoos.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag022"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13270971/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148271228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aquifer-Mediated Speciation in Cave-Adapted Fishes.","authors":"C D Brownstein, G J Watkins-Colwell, M Policarpo, R C Harrington, E A Hoffman, D Casane, T J Near","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag021","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The nature of speciation within subterranean ecosystems following invasions from the surface remains poorly understood. Most proposed examples of <i>in situ</i> subterranean speciation instead appear to reflect multiple independent surface invasions, supporting the classic hypothesis that subterranean ecosystems are evolutionary dead ends. Here, we examine the species diversity within the most widespread subterranean vertebrate species, the Southern Cavefish <i>Typhlichthys subterraneus</i>. Phylogenomic analyses reveal that <i>T. subterraneus</i> as currently recognized is paraphyletic with respect to the Missouri Cavefish <i>T. eigenmanni</i>, as a distinct set of populations is resolved as the sister lineage of a clade formed by <i>T. eigenmanni</i> and <i>T. subterraneus sensu stricto</i>. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning reveals skeletal autapomorphies of this lineage, supporting its recognition as a new species: <i>Typhlichthys styx</i> sp. nov. Ancestral biogeographic reconstructions reveal that speciation in <i>Typhlichthys</i> has occurred along aquifer boundaries, with lineages dispersing through widespread karstic aquifer systems across southeastern and central North America. This dispersal facilitated secondary sympatry among cavefish species that last shared common ancestry approximately eight million years ago. Together, these results reveal aquifer geology as a driver of allopatric speciation in obligate cave-dwelling vertebrates, with implications for understanding biodiversity in subterranean ecosystems worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag021"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13221641/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148137942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biology of Superpowers: A Curriculum Activity for Teaching Adaptation, Trade-offs, and Organismal Diversity.","authors":"A Eden","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag023","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Engaging students in integrative and organismal biology often requires instructional approaches that balance disciplinary rigor with accessibility and curiosity. Extraordinary traits in real organisms, such as regeneration in axolotls, echolocation in bats, or cryptobiosis in tardigrades, offer compelling entry points for exploring adaptation, evolutionary trade-offs, and the diversity of life. This article describes a curriculum activity, <i>Biology of Superpowers</i>, designed to leverage these traits to promote engagement, reinforce evolutionary concepts, and develop science communication skills in courses spanning introductory and upper-level biology. In this activity, students select a biological \"superpower,\" investigate its functional mechanisms and adaptive significance, and communicate their findings in a creative, public-facing format. An optional extension invites students to connect their chosen trait to superheroes or fictional characters, prompting critical evaluation of scientific accuracy and common misconceptions in popular media. The activity has been implemented in two distinct settings: an introductory non-majors <i>Diversity of Life</i> course and an upper-level <i>Evolution</i> course for biology majors. These dual contexts illustrate the adaptability of the assignment across levels. In the non-majors course, students emphasized accessible explanations and broad connections to survival and reproduction for general audiences, whereas majors more often incorporated mechanistic detail, comparative thinking, and consideration of constraints and trade-offs. Assessment is guided by revised rubrics that emphasize biological explanation, evolutionary reasoning appropriate to course level, clarity of communication, and use of evidence. Student artifacts are presented as illustrative examples of engagement with the activity rather than as formal evidence of learning gains. To strengthen implementation, the revised instructor and student materials include explicit prompts related to source evaluation, image attribution, appropriate AI use, and avoidance of common evolutionary misconceptions such as teleological reasoning or framing evolution as only about survival. Blank organizer templates are also provided to support scaffolding across course contexts. Together, these materials position <i>Biology of Superpowers</i> as a flexible curriculum model for teaching integrative and organismal biology by pairing curiosity-driven content with evolutionary thinking, evidence use, and science communication.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag023"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13213587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148054303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Fin to Limb: Orientational Shift and Evolution of Diagonal-Couplet Gait in Tetrapods.","authors":"T Miyake, K Nishikawa, M Iwata, H Kamiyama, K Ozaki, H Koie, A Yozu, T Hirasawa, N Kobayashi","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag020","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The transition from fins to limbs represents a pivotal evolutionary shift that enabled vertebrates to engage terrestrial environments through coordinated transformations in appendicular structure and neuromuscular control. Here, we propose that this transition can be understood as a biomechanical reorganization of force transmission across multi-joint musculoskeletal linkages. Rather than a simple rotational modification transforming fins directly into forelimbs, this process involved progressive reorganization of sarcopterygian appendages, including axial rotation, directional force production, and coordinated stance-swing dynamics that likely emerged prior to fully terrestrial locomotion. This review applies the two-joint link model, originally developed for human limb biomechanics, to extant sarcopterygians such as the coelacanth (<i>Latimeria</i>) and to early-diverging tetrapods, including archosaurs such as the American alligator (<i>Alligator mississippiensis</i>). The model demonstrates how sequential activation of biarticular and monoarticular muscles generates predictable, axis-aligned endpoint force outputs, providing a mechanistic explanation for how ancestral fins and early limbs could support weight bearing, propulsion, and postural stabilization during the water-to-land transition. The framework further clarifies the evolution and persistence of diagonal-couplet lateral sequence gait, a locomotor pattern widespread among tetrapods and consistent with Paleozoic trackway evidence. Integration of electromyographic data with conserved spinal circuitry including central pattern generators, interneurons, and the topographic organization of lateral motor column motor pools reveals how intrinsic spinal architecture governs muscle activation sequences and limb-level force redirection. Although supraspinal pathways modulate locomotion, core coordination of diagonal-couplet gait emerges from spinal mechanisms. A central property of the model is musculoskeletal redundancy: multiple muscle combinations can generate equivalent endpoint forces within linked multi-joint systems, thereby preserving functional capacity across postural variation. This robustness arises from the four-bar linkage organization of biarticular muscles, a design principle conserved across vertebrate musculoskeletal systems. Together, these findings position the two-joint link model as a unifying neuromechanical framework for understanding fin-to-limb evolution, the emergence of tetrapod gait, and the conserved spinal organization underlying vertebrate locomotion.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag020"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13199859/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148029918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Integrative Imperatives of Locust Phase Polyphenism Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.","authors":"D F Serdo, Z Németh","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag018","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Locust phase polyphenism, a classic example of phenotypic plasticity, has been studied for over a century, generating an extensive body of literature. However, a quantitative synthesis of the field's structure, evolution, and disparities has been lacking. Here, we present the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of locust phase polyphenism research, quantitatively mapping its intellectual structure, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution. Analyzing 400 peer-reviewed primary studies published from 1921 through February 2025, we reveal a field at a critical inflection point. Publication trends demonstrate robust growth since the 1990s, reflecting the refinement of classical methods and the emergence of molecular and neurobiological approaches. However, this expansion rests upon a narrow foundation: research concentrates almost exclusively on two model species-<i>Schistocerca gregaria</i> and <i>Locusta migratoria</i>-while ecologically important non-model taxa remain critically understudied. Co-authorship network analysis exposes significant geographical disparities: research leadership concentrates in a small number of countries (UK, China, Japan, Belgium, Israel, Kenya, Germany, and USA), while most other locust-affected regions across the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East remain peripherally integrated. Keyword co-occurrence mapping identifies critical thematic blind spots within the phase polyphenism literature, including a complete absence of explicit climate change framing and limited representation of socioeconomic dimensions and non-model species. The field thus exhibits a notable disconnect: deep mechanistic knowledge of how phase change occurs exists alongside limited understanding of when and why outbreaks occur under changing environmental conditions. Transformative advances require strategic reorientation: from model-organism focus to comparative ecology, from episodic collaboration to equitable partnership with range-state scientists, from descriptive mechanism to functional validation, and from neglected frontiers (microbiome, epigenetics, and climate) to systematic investigation. This bibliometric mapping provides an evidence-based framework to guide future research toward greater impact on global food security.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag018"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13168895/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147941323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intraspecific and Geographical Variation of G<i>lossophaga commissarisi</i> in Mexico: Morphological Approach.","authors":"D Vega-Montes de Oca, F Rodríguez-Gómez, C A Espinoza-Campuzano, M M Ramírez-Martínez, L I Iñiguez-Dávalos","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag015","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cryptic species represent a major challenge in biodiversity research due to their subtle and poorly defined morphological boundaries. This study investigates morphological variation within <i>Glossophaga commissarisi</i>, focusing on the differentiation between its two recognised subspecies, <i>G. c. commissarisi</i> and <i>G. c. hespera</i>, and evaluating the influence of biogeographic provinces, latitude, altitude, and sex. We applied geometric morphometrics (GM) to cranial structures and linear morphometric analysis (LM) to cranial and wing traits to assess patterns of variation. Significant shape differences were detected between subspecies, particularly in the fronto-maxillary region, independent of size, while the mandible showed size-dependent variation. Additionally, geographical factors, specifically elevation, latitude, and biogeographic province, emerged as key drivers of morphological divergence. Sexual dimorphism was evident in mandible and wing structures, with females displaying distinct mandibular and wing traits, potentially linked to reproductive and ecological roles. In <i>G. c. hespera</i>, geographic variation is noted in fronto-maxillary elevation; and by biogeographic provinces in ventral differentiation, with higher-altitude specimens differing from those of lowland populations in the Northern Pacific region. Similarly, <i>G. c. commissarisi</i> shows latitudinal variation, with Chiapas populations (16°N) distinct from those at 15°N and 17°N. These findings suggest that morphological differentiation in <i>G. commissarisi</i> may be better understood through biogeographic and ecological perspectives, complementing traditional morphological analyses. However, genetic and ecological data remain critical for clarifying taxonomic boundaries and evolutionary processes within these cryptic taxa. Limited sample availability due to the rarity of this species underscores the need for broader regional sampling in future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag015"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13168884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147941315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex, Head Size, and Male Mate Location Behavior Affect Allometric Scaling of the Eyes in <i>Centris pallida</i> (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Bees.","authors":"M Barrett, S O'Donnell","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag016","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Variation in eye structure and function can allow organisms to exploit novel environments or perform unique behaviors. However smaller body sizes may impose morphological constraints on eye investment, limiting adaptive behavioral performance. Males of the solitary desert bee <i>Centris pallida</i> (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are dimorphic in both body size and sensory mate location behaviors: large-morph males are fixed on a scent-based strategy while small-morph males generally use a sight-based strategy. Females are not known to vary categorically in mating behavior but span nearly the full range of male body sizes, allowing for sex comparisons in allometric scaling. We hypothesized that sex, body size, and male morph would correlate with eye structure and estimated global and localized visual acuity in <i>C. pallida</i> bees. We predicted that male and female body size would correlate with ommatidia number and size, and visual acuity, due to allometric constraints. We further predicted that small-morph males would have increased relative investment in the eyes and improved visual acuity compared to large-morph males. We found that males had increased ommatidia numbers and larger eyes than similarly-sized females, as well as greater average and maximum ommatidia diameters. Females had improved localized visual acuity in the dorsofrontal hotspot than small-morph males, but similar acuity to large-morph males. Body size thus impacted localized acuity in the dorsofrontal region in males but not in females. Small-morph males had increased relative eye size and ommatidia density but reduced total ommatidia numbers, eye surface areas, and estimated visual acuities compared to large-morph males.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag016"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13181258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147972267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Butenolide Exerts Antifouling Effects on the Bryozoan <i>Bugula neritina</i> through Activating NO/cGMP Signaling Pathway.","authors":"H-L Liu, J-W Qiu, Y H Wong, M-J Yang, J-Q Xie, R-D Xiao, X-L Huang, Y Xu, Z-L Hu, Y Zhang","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag019","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marine biofouling, a persistent and multifaceted challenge within the maritime realm, generates substantial economic and noneconomic loss and damage to the marine industry every year. Butenolide (BU) is a promising antifouling compound derived from a marine microbe. Although being highly effective against several major biofoulers such as the bryozoan <i>Bugula neritina</i>, the molecular mechanisms underlying its inhibition of <i>B. neritina</i> larval settlement remain largely unknown. Based on the evidence from comparative transcriptome data, we investigated the expression changes of key genes related to the nitric oxide signaling pathway upon BU treatment via quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that the expression levels of these genes were significantly up-regulated, suggesting the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signaling pathway was stimulated in response to BU. In addition, a co-incubation assay using BU and various specific inhibitors targeting the NO pathway showed that these inhibitors could rescue the antifouling effects of BU. These findings further supported the proposition that BU inhibited bryozoan larval settlement by activating the NO/cGMP pathway. Overall, our results provided novel insights into the molecular mechanism of BU against <i>B. neritina</i>, which could be crucial for the development of environmentally benign antifouling strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag019"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13191283/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148015299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aquatic Turning Performance in Juvenile Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles.","authors":"M T Wileyto, F E Fish, S E Trail, J Wyneken, R Bottiglio-Kramer","doi":"10.1093/iob/obag017","DOIUrl":"10.1093/iob/obag017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sea turtles are known for being accomplished swimmers, capable of covering great distances. Despite the importance of maneuverability, little has been done to define the mechanics of turning in these marine organisms. To examine turning performance, juvenile loggerhead (<i>Caretta caretta</i>) and green sea turtles (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>) were video recorded overhead in pursuit of food in a large tank. The turtles were observed performing two types of yawing turns: pure rotational turns and translational turns. The trajectory of points on the body of the turtles (rostrum, anterior of shell, and posterior of the shell) were digitally tracked. X and Y coordinates were analyzed over time with a custom MatLab code, which estimated center of mass (COM), turn radius, and turn rate (angular velocity). Turning performance significantly differed between sea turtle species during rotational turns but did not significantly differ between sea turtle species during translational turns. Asymmetries were observed in limb usage during turns, which affected the angular velocity. Stroke frequencies significantly differ between turn type, but not between species. Analysis of the coordination of flippers suggests that <i>C. caretta</i> more often initiates turns with both forelimbs, while <i>C. mydas</i> more often initiates turns with one forelimb. When mapped categorically with other swimming taxa, sea turtles, resembled most other rigid-bodied swimmers, and placed below the guideline separating flexible-bodied swimmers and rigid-bodied swimmers. These data support the hypothesis that having a rigid body-plan constrains turning performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":13666,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Organismal Biology","volume":"8 1","pages":"obag017"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13168891/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147940992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}