Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS23 In Transition: Biomechanics of Sensory Perception (Disciplinary Connections)

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 9:45:00 AM

Location: Acoma/Zuni/Tesuque

Fowler, C, , Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA, cfowler@alumni.princeton.edu

Yen, J, , School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA, jeannette.yen@biology.gatech.edu

Jaffe, J, , Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA, jules@mpl.ucsd.edu

3D VISUALIZATION OF A CALANOID COPEPOD, EUCHAETA

To afford a better understanding of predatory copepod appearance and behavior, a three-dimensional computer model was created of a Euchaeta. Using the model, anatomy and behavior may be illustrated and examined from arbitrary viewpoints. Such a model can be used in many ways, for example: to communicate the features of the animal to the lay public; to understand the spatial/temporal relationships of predator/prey interactions through the examination of behaviors from selected viewpoints; and to increase our understanding of aquatic animal behavior through examination from viewpoints difficult or impossible to achieve using previous techniques. The model represents a synthesis of current knowledge from traditional sources: textual descriptions, drawings, photographs, and examination of preserved specimens, as well as from high-speed two-dimensional videography of living copepods and from discussions with experts. Although creating the model required a substantial time commitment, we believe our work shows great promise as a tool to illustrate aspects of plankton morphology and mechanics that few have had the opportunity to observe.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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