
Open access
Date
2017-12-26Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 22 times in
Web of Science
Cited 26 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics
Abstract
Zooplankton possess narrow swimming capabilities, yet are capable of active locomotion amid turbulence. By decoupling the relative velocity of swimming zooplankton from that of the underlying flow, we provide evidence for an active adaptation that allows these small organisms to modulate their swimming effort in response to background flow. This behavioral response results in reduced diffusion at substantial turbulence intensity. Adjusting motility provides fitness advantage because it enables zooplankton to retain the benefits of self-locomotion despite the constraints enforced by turbulence transport. Vigorous swimming and reduced diffusion oppose turbulence advection, can directly affect the dispersal of zooplankton populations, and may help these organisms to actively control their distribution in dynamic environments. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000220806Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesSubject
zooplankton; turbulence; Motility; particle-tracking velocimetry; biophysical couplingOrganisational unit
ETH Zürich09454 - Holzner, Markus (SNF-Prof.) (ehemalig) / Holzner, Markus (SNF-Prof.) (former)
Funding
144645 - Turbulence and Particles in Environmental Fluid Dynamics (TIPFluiD) (SNF)
More
Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 22 times in
Web of Science
Cited 26 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics