Energetic and physical limitations on the breaching performance of large whales

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.51760
• Publication Date: 2020-03-11T11:00:22Z
• Authors: Paolo S Segre; Jean Potvin; David E Cade; John Calambokidis; Jacopo Di Clemente; Frank E Fish; Ari S Friedlaender; William T Gough; Shirel R Kahane-R...; Cláudia Oliveira; Susan E Parks; Gwenith S Penry; Malene Simon; Alison K Stimpert; David N Wiley; KC Bierlich; Peter T Madsen; Jeremy A Goldbogen
• Keywords: 330; QH301-705.5; Science; flying fish; sharks; Physics of Living Systems; cetaceans; Species Specificity; physics of living systems; Animals; Body Size; Biomechanics; 14. Life underwater; Biology (General); breaching; Q; R; Whales; Moss Landing Marine Laboratories; maneuverability; 600; dynamics; Feeding Behavior; Biomechanical Phenomena; locomotion; flight; power output; kinematics; buoyancy; Medicine; aerial power; Energy Metabolism; burst; performance

The considerable power needed for large whales to leap out of the water may represent single most expensive burst maneuver found in nature. However, mechanics and energetic costs associated with breaching behaviors remain poorly understood. In this study we deployed whale-borne tags measure kinematics test hypothesis that these spectacular aerial displays are metabolically expensive. We use variable underwater trajectories, high-emergence breaches faster require more energy than predatory lunges. approach upper limits vertebrate muscle performance, cost is high enough repeated events serve as honest signaling body condition. Furthermore, confluence contractile properties, hydrodynamics, speeds required likely impose an limit size effectiveness whales.