Who has the best flippers?
Our new @CurrentBiology paper combines animal behaviour, 3D anatomy and CFD to explore the origins of forelimb-propelled swimming in seals!
#NewPaper #ConvergentEvolution #JustKeepSwimming
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(21)00358-4

Let me explain...

Way back in 2010, I first encountered leopard seals at @tarongazoo while studying feeding behaviour for my Honours. I was amazed at how they used their wing-like front flippers to propel themselves - very much like a fur seal! In contrast, northern seals have clawed paws!

Over the course of my PhD studying feeding behaviour in seals, I kept an eye on how these amazing animals move through their environments. By teaming up with amazing collaborators like @JamesRRobbins @Sealdiver & @RobHarcourt I collected footage of seals from all over the world!

To better understand the biomechanics of these behaviours, Felix Marx @DrTeethAl @Blogozoic @P_hazael and I set out to CT scan a range of seal flippers from @museumsvictoria and @NHM_London.

Using these 3D models, we teamed up with the amazing @monashengineers to run computer simulated fluid dynamics experiments, which showed that large claws increase drag, while the wing-like flippers of fur and leopard seals were perfect tools for underwater propulsion!

Differences in flipper shape have big consequences for how the forelimbs can be used for other behaviours. While northern seals like grey and harbour seals are able to use their clawed paws to tear apart prey, leopard and fur seals must shake their food at the water's surface!

If you'd like to know more then check out our article with @ConversationEDU and leave us a question there! https://theconversation.com/swim-like-a-sea-lion-splash-like-a-seal-how-evolution-engineered-natures-underwater-acrobats-160090