Energy efficiency and allometry of movement of swimming and flying animals

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1310544111
• Publication Date: 2014-05-13T08:53:58Z
• Authors: Rahul Bale; Max Hao; Amneet Pal Singh ...; Neelesh A. Patankar
• Keywords: Allometry

Significance Is a whale or tuna more efficient? The answer depends on the definition of efficiency. If one uses cost transport, defined as energy required to move unit distance, then wins. transporting mass over distance is used We address this ambiguity by rationally deriving new efficiency measure called energy-consumption coefficient ( C E ), which nondimensional fuel consumption. fundamental metric quantify self-propelled bodies analogous drag d ) aerodynamic shapes vehicles. analysis also leads allometric scalings frequency and velocity swimming flying organisms than 20 orders magnitude mass.