Hydrodynamics of Suction Feeding in a Mechanical Model of Bladderwort
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ABSTRACT HYDRODYNAMICS OF SUCTION FEEDING IN A MECHANICAL MODEL OF BLADDERWORT Bladderworts, aquatic carnivorous plants, use specialized traps (with a mouth opening of about 0.2 mm in diameter) to complete their feeding strike in less than a millisecond after the trap begins to open. Suction feeding is well understood in animals with mouth diameters greater than 10 millimeters and the little we know about small suction feeders from larval fish suggests that small suction feeders are not effective. Yet bladderworts have strong suction performances despite having the same mouth size as that of fish larvae. Bladderwort generate suction flows with peak speeds of 5 m/s and reach peak speed in 1 millisecond. In contrast, larval fish reach much lower peak speeds of 1 mm/s within 10 milliseconds. Previous studies of bladderwort suction feeding have focused on the trap door mechanics rather than the mechanics of fluid flow. As it is difficult to study the real organisms due to their small size and short duration, we used fluid-dynamic scaling laws to design a dynamically scaled model and characterize the suction flows. This larger and slower model greatly facilitates the recording of data with better temporal and spatial resolution. The model comprised a linear motor and a housing with a circular test nozzle submerged in mineral oil. We combined flow visualization on bladderwort traps with measurements on the mechanical model and compare experimental data with theoretical predictions about inhalant flows. In this study, we simulated actual traps as well as traps that are smaller and slower than real traps to explore how speed affects suction performance. We also show that a dynamically scaled model provides detailed flow fields to help explore the differences between bladderwort and fish larval suction flows. Our findings largely agree with theoretical models of suction flows, which show that bladderwort traps generate flows that closely resemble inviscid flow whereas fish larvae resemble creeping flow models. This dynamically scaled mechanical model will be a valuable tool to address bio fluid-dynamic questions. Krizma Singh May 2020 HYDRODYNAMICS OF SUCTION FEEDING IN A MECHANICAL MODEL OF BLADDERWORT by Krizma Singh A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology in the College of Science and Mathematics California State University, Fresno May 2020 APPROVED For the Department of Biology: We, the undersigned, certify that the thesis of the following student meets the required standards of scholarship, format, and style of the university and the student's graduate degree program for the awarding of the master's degree. Krizma Singh Thesis Author Ulrike Müller (Chair) Biology Otto Berg Chemistry David Lent Biology For the University Graduate Committee: Dean, Division of Graduate Studies AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF MASTER’S THESIS X I grant permission for the reproduction of this thesis in part or in its entirety without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorbs the cost and provides proper acknowledgment of authorship. Permission to reproduce this thesis in part or in its entirety must be obtained from me. Signature of thesis author: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am extremely thankful to my graduate advisor for giving me this opportunity to be a part of her Research group. This work would not have been possible or have the spirit it has without her invaluable academic and psychological support. I would also like to thank my committee members Dr. Otto Berg and Dr. David Lent, for their motivation and support and, to the Department of Biology. I also appreciate Dr. Deify Law, for letting me take mechanical engineering classes so that I get a better understanding of Fluid dynamics, and his guidance which were extremely valuable for my study both theoretically and practically. I perceive this opportunity as a big milestone in my academic development. I will strive to use gained skills and knowledge in the best possible way, and I will continue to work on their improvement, in order to attain desired career objectives. I would also like to thank my fellow lab mates, Roberto Reyes and Gabriel Campa. I would like to recognize the support of my parents, brother and friends, especially Nayan Prakash that have been by my side during this journey. I am using this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and special thanks to the staff at International Student Office for giving necessary advice, guidance and arranging all facilities to make life easier as an international student. I choose this moment to acknowledge their contribution gratefully. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the funding from Department of Biology, Division of Research and Graduate Studies, National Science Foundation, and The CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) award that has allowed me to present this research and supported me. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................vii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. viii INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 1 Bladderwort Habitat, Morphology, and Kinematics ...................................................... 3 Bladderwort Trapping Mechanism ................................................................................. 5 Mechanics of Fluid Flow ................................................................................................. 7 Theoretical Flow Models for External Flow Fields ....................................................... 9 Significance .................................................................................................................... 11 Aims and Objectives ...................................................................................................... 11 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 13 Scaling ............................................................................................................................ 13 Design of the Dynamically Scaled Model .................................................................... 14 Flow Visualization Using the Mechanical Model ....................................................... 16 Flow Analysis................................................................................................................. 17 Post-Processing of the Flow Data ................................................................................. 19 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 20 Construction of a Mechanical Device to Model Suction Feeding .............................. 20 Validation of the Mechanical Model ............................................................................ 20 Comparing Suction Flows of the Mechanical Model Simulating Two Small Suction Feeders with Published Theoretical Models ...................................... 22 Comparing Suction Feeding Flows Across Re............................................................. 24 DISCUSSION......................................................................................................................... 29 Aims 1 and 2: Construction and Validation of the Mechanical Model ...................... 29 Aim 3: Examining Flow Over a Range of Reynolds Numbers ................................... 31 vi vi Page Comparison with Existing Studies ................................................................................ 32 Future Directions............................................................................................................ 34 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 36 APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................ 41 APPENDIX A: MATLAB CODE FOR FIGURES ............................................................. 42 APPENDIX B: FLOW-FIELDS WITH MOVIE DETAILS .............................................. 48 LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1. Characteristics of suction in bladderwort and fish larva ......................................... 2 Table 2. Scaling calculations for design purposes ............................................................... 14 Table 3. Statistical calculations ............................................................................................. 23 LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. General bladderwort morphology.. ........................................................................ 4 Figure 2. Adapted from Singh et al., 2011- Opening and closing of trapdoor in U. stellaris bladder. ...................................................................................................... 6 Figure 3. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis for a cylindrical coordinate system. ..................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 4. Adapted from CFD model results (Johan van Leeuwen, personal communication) ...................................................................................................