Sardinian Swordfish Often Prefer Squid as Their Meal of Choice
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found a new, never-before-seen organ in the swordfish - an oil-producing gland at the base of its bill. This gland, which pumps fatty acids to the swordfish's skin through a network of tiny capillaries and pores, is believed to contribute significantly to the swordfish's remarkable speed.
The oil produced by this gland creates a water-repelling layer across the front of the swordfish's head, reducing drag as the fish moves through water. This discovery, led by John Videler, a retired marine zoologist at Groningen University in the Netherlands, adds to the swordfish's advantage as a predator.
Nicole Sharp, an aerospace engineer and author of the fluid-dynamic blog FYFD, proposes the idea of a "liquid-impregnated surface" for the swordfish's skin. This principle aligns with known adaptations in fast-swimming fish that reduce hydrodynamic resistance. Similar glands in aquatic animals produce oils or substances to streamline skin or surfaces for speed enhancement.
In addition to the oil secretion, the scientists hypothesize that tiny, scale-like denticles around the opening of each pore create microscopic air pockets between the water and the fish's skin, another way to reduce drag.
Attaining high speeds is crucial to the swordfish's success, according to Eric Warrant from Lund University. Swordfish can reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), and they have over 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of fin-pumping muscle. However, observing these elusive creatures in the wild can be challenging due to their inability to be kept in captivity.
This biological discovery is a superb example of how species compete with each other in an evolutionary arms race. The discovery of the oil gland in the swordfish gives them an evolutionary edge, assisting them to outswim their prey.
Interestingly, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been developing condiment bottles with liquid-impregnated technology, inspired by the liquid-impregnated surface concept. This technology allows for the extraction of every last drop of ketchup from condiment bottles, demonstrating the potential applications of such principles beyond the realm of biology.
[1] Source: Duck Oil Glands and Waterproofing
- The discovery of the oil-producing gland in the swordfish could potentially inspire innovation in the health-and-wellness sector, as liquid-impregnated technology could be used to create products that promote fitness-and-exercise efficiency, such as water-repelling exercise apparel.
- Just as the oil gland in the swordfish contributes to its astonishing speed, incorporating a similar principle into human athletic gear could help athletes reduce drag and improve their swimming performance.
- In the realm of science, the study of this new organ in the swordfish can provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations of various species in the ocean, contributing to a better understanding of biology and health-and-wellness.
- Paralleling the discovery of the oil gland in swordfish, ongoing research in sports science may uncover additional biological secrets that can enhance human performance and contribute to the field of fitness-and-exercise.
