🦈 New paper in @sicbjournals.bsky.social:
We found that the whip-tail in pelagic rays restores stability during gliding locomotion, acting as a key passive stabilizer.
Open access: shorturl.at/gqzzd
Thanks to Sawyer Cooper, Connor White & @georgelauder.bsky.social
#MarineBiology #Elasmobranchs
That's a very good question! Dasyatids also have whip-tails, but they are highly variable. Some of them have fins, others are short, and others are very long! For sure dasyatids and correlations of their tail morphology with ecology are our next goal :)
Why do eagle and manta rays have long, whip-like tails? 🦈 Our study shows that they act like kite tails, adding drag to keep rays stable as they glide!
Thanks to @georgelauder.bsky.social, Connor White, Harvard MCZ, @nhm-london.bsky.social , CSIRO & @tamu.bsky.social Article: shorturl.at/gSf7P
One of the joys of studying museum collections: discovering tiny treasures like this little round stingray!
#Elasmobranchs #Sharks #Rays #Museum #MCZ
Many thanks for sharing the article David! 🦈
Many thanks for sharing! ♥️
Our new paper is out as OA! shorturl.at/BueUy
Tuna keels aren't just for hydrodynamics—they're mechanosensory! 🐟 They contain a modified lateral line, possibly adapted to detect stimuli in high-noise environments
@georgelauder.bsky.social @jackiew8.bsky.social + Dylan Wainwright + Connor White
My first story of the year featuring a puzzling appendage: the whip-like tail of manta rays. @juliachaumel.bsky.social and her colleague posit that these lengthy structures act like fine-tuned antennae, detecting danger before it's too late!
Latest for @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/s...
Excited to share our latest article with @georgelauder.bsky.social in @royalsociety.org! We describe how the whip-tail of cownose rays functions as a hydrodynamic antenna, detecting water movements along its length. shorturl.at/8kMM7
Happy to see it in @nytscience.bsky.social too! shorturl.at/n9w0s
