Original paper
Hydrodynamics of the squamation in fast swimming sharks
Reif, W.E.; Dinkelacker, A.
Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen Band 164 Heft 1-2 (1982), p. 184 - 187
4 references
published: Dec 22, 1982
DOI: 10.1127/njgpa/164/1982/184
ArtNo. ESP155016401041, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The scales of the very fast swimming sharks have ridges with an overall anterior-posterior direction with respect to the body axis. The ridges are channelled in a highly specialized pattern over the body. The ridges have a sharp profile with rounded valleys in between. The depth of the valleys is 1/2 to 2/3 of their width. On most leading edges (rostrum of the head, anterior edges of the fins) the scales are rather smooth. The width of the valleys varies to a certain degree from region to region on the body, but remains practically constant during ontogeny, despite the fact that the scales are continuously replaced. (Scales of Recent sharks never grow.) In the following list the average width of the valleys is given, plus the extreme values which have been measured. The material available for measurement varies from species to species. In some cases only a few skin samples were available, in others whole squamations of several growth stages.
Keywords
ridges • fins • dorsal precaudal pit • ventral precaudal pit • pelvic fin • flow pattern