Myotomal slow muscle function of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during steady swimming.

Strain and activity patterns were determined during slow steady swimming (tailbeat frequency 1.5-2.5 Hz) at three locations on the body in the slow myotomal muscle of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss using sonomicrometry and electromyography. Strain was independent of tailbeat frequency over the range studied and increased significantly from +/-3.3 % l0 at 0.35BL to +/-6 % at 0.65BL, where l0 is muscle resting length and BL is total body length. Muscle activation occurred significantly later in the strain cycle at 0.35BL (phase shift 59 degrees) than at 0.65BL (30 degrees), and the duration of activity was significantly longer (211 degrees at 0.35BL and 181 degrees at 0.65BL). These results differ from those of previous studies. The results have been used to simulate in vivo activity in isolated muscle preparations using the work loop technique. Preparations from all three locations generated net positive power under in vivo conditions, but the negative power component increased from head to tail. Both kinematically, and in the way its muscle functions to generate hydrodynamic thrust, the rainbow trout appears to be intermediate between anguilliform swimmers such as the eel, which generate thrust along their entire body length, and carangiform fish (e.g. saithe Pollachius virens), which generate thrust primarily at the tail blade.

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the motor activity of fish from shallow water and 900 m depths; some results of Challenger cruise 6B/85.

1. Two species of benthic fish from 900 m depths (90 atm pressure), Trachyscorpia cristulata echinata and Synaphobranchus kaupi, are shown to be adapted to their normal, high ambient pressure. 2. Their condition improves when they are restored to their normal pressure after experiencing decompression in a trawl and they undergo convulsions at 150 atm. 3. This contrasts with the response of shallow water species (Salmo salar, Pleuronectes platessa, Anguilla anguilla and Gadus morhua) which convulse at 93-114 atm and become immobilized and rigid at 150 atm.

The effect of pressure on the lateral swimming muscle of the European eel Anguilla anguilla and the deep sea eel Histiobranchus bathybius; results of Challenger cruise 6B/85.

1. The viability of Histiobranchus lateral muscle was prolonged up to 7 times by recompression of the tissue. 2. The maximum twitch contraction force of both Anguilla and Histiobranchus was recorded at a pressure between 150 and 350 atm. At 1 atm Anguilla developed 60% maximum force and Histiobranchus 10-20% maximum force. 3. Twitch contraction time doubled for a pressure increase of 400 atm. This effect is predicted to halve the maximum swimming speed at 4000 m and is discussed in relation to muscle force and anaerobic support.

Swimming activity in marine fish.

Marine fish are capable of swimming long distances in annual migrations; they are also capable of high-speed dashes of short duration, and they can occupy small home territories for long periods with little activity. There is a large effect of fish size on the distance fish migrate at slow swimming speeds. When chased by a fishing trawl the effect of fish size on swimming performance can decide their fate. The identity and thickness of muscle used at each speed and evidence for the timing of myotomes used during the body movement cycle can be detected using electromyogram (EMG) electrodes. The cross-sectional area of muscle needed to maintain different swimming speeds can be predicted by relating the swimming drag force to the muscle force. At maximum swimming speed one completed cycle of swimming force is derived in sequence from the whole cross-sectional area of the muscles along the two sides of the fish. This and other aspects of the swimming cycle suggest that each myotome might be responsible for generating forces involved in particular stages of the tail sweep. The thick myotomes at the head end shorten during the peak thrust of the tail blade whereas the thinner myotomes nearer the tail generate stiffness appropriate for transmission of these forces and reposition the tail for the next cycle.

Non-release of lactic acid from anaerobic swimming muscle of plaice Pleuronectes platessa L.: a stress reaction.

1. Plaice caught by trawl net and plaice exercised in laboratory tanks all show high levels of lactic acid (33--44 mmol/kg) in the anaerobic swimming muscle. During exhausting exercise 2 moles of lactate are formed from 1 mole of glycogen glucose. After an 8 h rest 50--80% of the muscle glycogen is restored. 2. Blood lactate levels remain low (0.5--2 mmol/l) in the majority of plaice caught by trawl. In a small number of plaice, peak levels over 5 mmol/l are reached 2--4 h after capture. Low blood lactate levels could be guaranteed in all fish exercised 24 h after the stress of capture and in tank-adapted fish exercised and injected with the beta-adrenergic stimulating drug, isoxsuprine hydrochloride. The blood lactate in plaice, tank-adapted for more than 8 days and then exercised, may reach peak levels up to 5 mmol/l 2--4 h later. 3. High blood lactate levels were obtained by injecting the beta-adrenergic block propranolol to stressed exercised fish. The alpha-adrenergic block did not have this effect. All plaice with blood lactate levels reaching 5--12 mmol/l died. 4. The results indicate that the muscle cells regulate the release or nonrelease of their lactate load to the blood stream and increases in the blood circulating to the muscle do not influence this release. The non-release mechanism may be actived by a catecholamine circulated in the blood stream following a stress.

A blind fish can school.

Vision is not required in order for fish to school. Five individual saithe, Pollachius virens, were able to join schools of 25 normal saithe swimming in an annular tank, while blinded with opaque eye covers. Test fish maintained position within the school indefinitely and responded to short-term movements of individuals within the school, although quantitative differences in reaction time and schooling behavior were noted. Five fish with lateral lines cut at the opercula were unable to school when wearing opaque eye covers. Although it is unlikely that blind saithe could school in the wild, the constraints of the apparatus permitted a demonstration of a role of the lateral line organ in schooling.