Fluid dynamics and efficiency of colonial swimming via multijet propulsion at intermediate Reynolds numbers

Abstract

Colonial physonect siphonophores swim via laterally distributed multijet propulsion. Here, computational fluid dynamics is employed to investigate the underlying fluid mechanics and adaptive values of this unique way of propulsion. It is found that colonial swimming achieves energetic benefits for jetting individuals within the colony because they require significantly lower per-module power than that required by a lone jet module swimming at the same speed.