How poachers thwart predators: analysis of the poachers (Agonidae) postcranial body armor.

Agonidae属的鱼类是海底居民，都拥有由大骨鳞组成的沉重的身体盔甲。这些鳞片与其他鱼类的鳞片不同之处在于其表面上的骨质网络，在某些物种中汇聚成脊柱。骨网络被假设为是一个重量轻的规模增加挫败掠食者的攻击。在这个项目中，我的目标是通过使用经典的成像技术以及生物力学分析来识别偷猎者的鳞片的保护特性。此外，我的目的是阐明偷猎者的防御性和他们的可操作性之间的权衡。因此，我将进行模拟，实证实验，并最终将研究结果融合到3D打印的运动学模型中。

Fishes of the genus Agonidae are bottom dwellers that all possess heavy body armor made of big bony scales. Theses scales differ from scales of other fishes by a bony network on their surface that in some species converge into a spine. The bony network is hypothesized to be a light weight augmentation of the scales thwarting predatory attacks. In this project I aim to identify protective traits of the poachers’ scales by using classical imaging techniques as well as biomechanical analysis. Furthermore, I aim to illuminate the trade-off between the poachers’ defensiveness and their maneuverability. Therefore, I will conduct simulations, empirical experiments and finally converge the findings into 3D printed kinematic models.