Mechanical properties of the venomous spines of Pterois volitans and morphology among lionfish species

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Katherine A Galloway, Marianne E Porter

Abstract

The red lionfish, Pterois volitans, an invasive species, has 18 venomous spines: 13 dorsal, three anal and one on each pelvic fin. Fish spines can have several purposes, such as defense, intimidation and anchoring into crevices. Instead of being hollow, lionfish spines have a tri-lobed cross-sectional shape with grooves that deliver the venom, tapering towards the tip. We aimed to quantify the impacts of shape (second moment of area) and tapering on the mechanical properties of the spine. We performed two-point bending at several positions along the spines of P. volitans to determine mechanical properties (Young's modulus, elastic energy storage and flexural stiffness). The short and recurved anal and pelvic spines are stiffer and resist bending more effectively than the long dorsal spines. In addition, mechanical properties differ along the length of the spines, most likely because they are tapered. We hypothesize that the highly bendable dorsal spines are used for intimidation, making the fish look larger. The stiffer and energy-absorbing anal and pelvic spines are smaller and less numerous, but they may be used for protection as they are located near important internal structures such as the swim bladder. Lastly, spine secon...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 31, 2020·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Katherine A GallowayMarianne E Porter
Jul 12, 2020·Integrative and Comparative Biology·S B CroftsP S L Anderson
Apr 2, 2021·Integrative Organismal Biology·K A Galloway, M E Porter
May 27, 2021·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Stephanie B Crofts, Theodore Stankowich
Dec 14, 2021·Journal of Morphology·Eleanor C WoodruffKarly E Cohen

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