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Fig. 4 | BMC Biology

Fig. 4

From: Buoyancy and hydrostatic balance in a West Indian Ocean coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae

Fig. 4

Hydrostatic balance in the coelacanth in different body postures. a Segmental model of the coelacanth from lateral (top) and dorsal (bottom) viewpoints consisting of 35 segments: main body, pectoral fins, pelvic fins, 1st and 2nd dorsal fins, anal fin, 26 transversal caudal fin segments, and fatty organ. b,c Stick figures of the segmental coelacanth model from lateral (top) and dorsal (bottom) viewpoints. Colored lines show long axis of segments with corresponding colors as in a. Colored circles with black centers show anchor points of fins. The coelacanth is displayed in two body postures: with straight caudal fin and remaining fins in extreme backward position (b) and with bent caudal fin and remaining fins in extreme forward position (c) (extreme fin positions according to live observation and anatomical measurements [44]). d Absolute (left vertical axis) and relative torque (right vertical axis). Relative to torque at the surface with straight tail and remaining fins backward at different body postures. At all modeled depths, the coelacanth can increase torque by ~ 131% by changing body posture

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