49
Reidenberg ( 2007 ), “seals use alternating horizontal sweeps of their hind fl ippers.
Fur seals and sea lions ‘fl y’ underwater by beating their fore fl ippers. Walruses
sometimes use their tusks to grip the sea fl oor or ice and push their body forward
with a downward nod of the head. Cetaceans have excelled in the attainment of
streamlined form, and are thus the fastest swimmers,” (Reidenberg 2007 ).
I defi nitively agree with Joy Reidenberg that knowledge “of marine mammals’
unusual specializations will hopefully inspire us to copy nature in the development
of new technologies. For example, continued investigations into fl ukes, fl ippers,
axial movements, feeding mechanics, skin, and body shape may lead to development
of more effi cient hydrodynamic designs for water- and aircraft,” (Reidenberg 2007 ).
From biomechanical point of view, the fl ukes of whale act like a pair of wings
(Vogel 1994 ). In contrast to such static constructs as the wings of airplanes, the
fl ukes are distinguished by their ability to generate a lift-derived thrust with high
effi ciency and are known as high-performance oscillatory propulsors. The mechanical
features of this wing like structure are based also on biological materials properties
they are designed during evolution. For examples, “the collagenous internal structure
provides the framework forms a fl exible hydrofoil with relatively high aspect ratio
and moderate sweepback” (Fish 1998 ).
Dolphin and whale skin is also under investigations at nanolevel as a possible
key to subaquatic speed (Baum et al. 2003 ; Pavlov 2006 ; Pavlov et al. 2012 ). As
summarized by Reidenberg ( 2007 ):
“further study of how aquatic mammals regulate buoyancy, control bone density, or manage
dramatic changes in temperature and pressure as they rise and fall in the water column may
lead to new treatments for osteoporosis, or the invention of protective gear for exposure to
the extreme environmental changes of high and low altitude, space, or ocean depths. A more
complete understanding of neural organization, underwater vision, or sound generation and
sound reception mechanisms may lead to the creation of better artifi cial sensory systems,”
(Reidenberg 2007 ).
1.3 Conclusion
It was in the oceans that life fi rst evolved and where complex animals have thrived
for over 600 million years. There are marine representatives from every major animal phylum. Marine animals survive in environments as diverse as tropical coral
reefs, polar ice-capped oceans, and the lightless abyssal depths. The diversity of habitats available in marine systems has led to a vast array of body designs, as well as
physiological and behavioral mechanisms. These adaptations that evolved in animals are used to overcome the biotic and abiotic challenges in the ocean (Fish and
Kosak 2011 ).
Investigating the relationships between organisms and their environments at
many length and time scales is necessary for a mechanistic understanding of the
limits of adaptation and the survival strategies of individuals and communities. With
dimensions that range from molecular to global, the problem is a staggering one.
Discovering solutions will require scientifi c and technical expertise, and creative
1.3 Conclusion
Reidenberg ( 2007 ), “seals use alternating horizontal sweeps of their hind fl ippers.
Fur seals and sea lions ‘fl y’ underwater by beating their fore fl ippers. Walruses
sometimes use their tusks to grip the sea fl oor or ice and push their body forward
with a downward nod of the head. Cetaceans have excelled in the attainment of
streamlined form, and are thus the fastest swimmers,” (Reidenberg 2007 ).
I defi nitively agree with Joy Reidenberg that knowledge “of marine mammals’
unusual specializations will hopefully inspire us to copy nature in the development
of new technologies. For example, continued investigations into fl ukes, fl ippers,
axial movements, feeding mechanics, skin, and body shape may lead to development
of more effi cient hydrodynamic designs for water- and aircraft,” (Reidenberg 2007 ).
From biomechanical point of view, the fl ukes of whale act like a pair of wings
(Vogel 1994 ). In contrast to such static constructs as the wings of airplanes, the
fl ukes are distinguished by their ability to generate a lift-derived thrust with high
effi ciency and are known as high-performance oscillatory propulsors. The mechanical
features of this wing like structure are based also on biological materials properties
they are designed during evolution. For examples, “the collagenous internal structure
provides the framework forms a fl exible hydrofoil with relatively high aspect ratio
and moderate sweepback” (Fish 1998 ).
Dolphin and whale skin is also under investigations at nanolevel as a possible
key to subaquatic speed (Baum et al. 2003 ; Pavlov 2006 ; Pavlov et al. 2012 ). As
summarized by Reidenberg ( 2007 ):
“further study of how aquatic mammals regulate buoyancy, control bone density, or manage
dramatic changes in temperature and pressure as they rise and fall in the water column may
lead to new treatments for osteoporosis, or the invention of protective gear for exposure to
the extreme environmental changes of high and low altitude, space, or ocean depths. A more
complete understanding of neural organization, underwater vision, or sound generation and
sound reception mechanisms may lead to the creation of better artifi cial sensory systems,”
(Reidenberg 2007 ).
1.3 Conclusion
It was in the oceans that life fi rst evolved and where complex animals have thrived
for over 600 million years. There are marine representatives from every major animal phylum. Marine animals survive in environments as diverse as tropical coral
reefs, polar ice-capped oceans, and the lightless abyssal depths. The diversity of habitats available in marine systems has led to a vast array of body designs, as well as
physiological and behavioral mechanisms. These adaptations that evolved in animals are used to overcome the biotic and abiotic challenges in the ocean (Fish and
Kosak 2011 ).
Investigating the relationships between organisms and their environments at
many length and time scales is necessary for a mechanistic understanding of the
limits of adaptation and the survival strategies of individuals and communities. With
dimensions that range from molecular to global, the problem is a staggering one.
Discovering solutions will require scientifi c and technical expertise, and creative
1.3 Conclusion