Abstract
Many fishes are able to jump out of the water and launch themselves into the air. Such behavior has been connected with prey capture, migration and predator avoidance. We found that jumping behavior of the guppy Poecilia reticulata is not associated with any of the above. The fish jump spontaneously, without being triggered by overt sensory cues, is not migratory and does not attempt to capture aerial food items. Here, we use high speed video imaging to analyze the kinematics of the jumping behavior P. reticulata. Fish jump from a still position by slowly backing up while using its pectoral fins, followed by strong body trusts which lead to launching into the air several body lengths. The liftoff phase of the jump is fast and fish will continue with whole body thrusts and tail beats, even when out of the water. This behavior occurs when fish are in a group or in isolation. Geography has had substantial effects on guppy evolution, with waterfalls reducing gene flow and constraining dispersal. We suggest that jumping has evolved in guppies as a behavioral phenotype for dispersal.
Highlights
The kinematics of swimming has been a subject of interest for biologists for many decades
We examine the jumping kinematics of the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata, and propose that the jumping observed in this species may have evolved for another reason
The Trinidadian Guppy, Poecilia reticulata is notable for its fast evolution and habitat
Summary
The kinematics of swimming has been a subject of interest for biologists for many decades. Researchers have examined various aspects of underwater locomotion of fishes from the physics of fin propulsion, buoyancy and drag and thrust, to muscle physiology and the adaptation of body morphology (for a review, see [1]). Less is known about the jumping behavior of fishes. Fishes have been reported to jump out of the water for three reasons: to catch nonaquatic prey, to avoid predation from below and to negotiate obstacles in migration routes. We examine the jumping kinematics of the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata, and propose that the jumping observed in this species may have evolved for another reason. I. Jumping in Fishes Some fish species jump to consume non-aquatic food items
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