Collaborative Research: Strain in Cartilaginous Fish Skeletons

对骨骼应变的直接分析为功能形态学家提供了一种测量各种行为表现的技术。然而，由于无法使用应变计或类似工具，骨骼软骨的测量一直受到阻碍。这项研究项目将使用一种新的方法，声波显微测量法，来研究软骨作为结构材料在软骨脊椎动物中的功能。初步研究表明，使用超声波测量变形的声波显微测量法可以成功地用于测量软骨的应变。这项研究将通过量化体外和体内加载过程中的应变，促进我们对软骨作为结构材料在脊椎动物中的功能的认识和理解。这项研究还将开辟研究其他生物材料的多途径，这些材料不适用于传统的菌株分析。将研究范围广泛的软骨鱼类和软骨鱼类，它们在颌骨和舌骨结构的形态和运动上发生变化，在摄食和通风行为中有五个目标。形态变化将使用3D几何形态测量学进行量化。力学性能将在体外进行测量，以提供基准数据，以评估软骨作为结构材料的功能。将测量活鱼的应变，以检查软骨作为骨骼元素的性能，为测量非骨骼骨骼元素的应变提供一种技术和基线。有限元分析将从活体物种中得到验证，并用于预测那些不适用于体内技术的物种或结构中的应变。将对软骨的性能、行为和形态进行系统发育分析，以揭示生态和进化模式。一名研究员、两名研究生和至少七名本科生将接受从数据收集到出版的所有方面的研究培训。该项目还将包括K-12外展、科学教师培训和本科教育。在研究期间产生的有限元模型将被存档到公众可访问的生物医学研究组织数据库(http://www.biomesh.org/).

Direct analysis of bone strain has provided functional morphologists with a technique to measure performance in a tremendous variety of behaviors. However, measurement in skeletal cartilage has been hampered by the inability to use strain gauges or similar tools. This research project will use a novel approach, sonomicrometry, to investigate the function of cartilage as a structural material in cartilaginous vertebrates. Preliminary research shows that sonomicrometry, which uses ultrasound to measure deformation, can be used successfully to measure strain in cartilage. The research will advance our knowledge and understanding about the function of cartilage as a structural material in vertebrates by quantifying strain during in vitro and in vivo loading. The study will also open multiple avenues of study on other biological materials that are not amenable to traditional strain analysis.A broad range of chondrichthyan and chondrostean fishes that vary morphologically and kinematically in jaw and hyoid structures will be studied during feeding and ventilation behaviors with five aims. Morphological variation will be quantified using 3D geometric morphometrics. Mechanical properties will be measured in vitro to provide baseline data to assess the function of cartilage as a structural material. Strain in living fishes will be measured to examine cartilage performance as a skeletal element, providing a technique and baseline for measuring strain in non-bony skeletal elements. Finite element analysis will be validated from in vivo species and used to predict strain in those species or structures that are not amenable to in vivo techniques. Cartilage performance, behavior, and morphology will be analyzed phylogenetically to uncover ecological and evolutionary patterns. A research fellow, two graduate students and at least seven undergraduate students will receive research training in all aspects of the study, from data collection to publication. The project will also include K-12 outreach, science teacher-training and undergraduate education. FE models produced during the study will be archived in the publically accessible BIOMESH database (http://www.biomesh.org/).