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

Agonidae属的鱼类是生活在海底的动物，它们都有由巨大的骨鳞组成的厚重的身体盔甲。这些鳞片与其他鱼类的鳞片的不同之处在于它们表面的骨网，在某些种类中，这些骨网会聚成脊椎。骨网被认为是鳞片的轻重量增加，以抵御掠食性攻击。在这个项目中，我的目标是通过使用经典的成像技术和生物力学分析来识别偷猎者鳞片的保护特征。此外，我的目的是阐明偷猎者的防御和他们的机动性之间的权衡。因此，我将进行模拟，实证实验，最后将研究结果融合到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.