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Asymmetric toes aid underwater swimming

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Author

Summary, in English

The unique morphology of the toes of the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), which are asymmetrically lobed with a narrower skin flap on the lateral side of the toe, enables these birds to swim very efficiently. Here we study video recordings of a diving grebe and stroboscopic pictures of its moving feet and conclude that the bird uses a hydrodynamically lift-based foot (power) stroke to propel itself underwater, with the separated toes functioning as multiple slots to increase the lift-to-drag ratio. The asymmetric lobes are an adaptation for self-stabilization of the toes during the power stroke, and the toes themselves act as separate hydrofoils, each producing lift and each being twistable individually under hydrodynamic load.

Publishing year

2000

Language

English

Pages

582-583

Publication/Series

Nature

Volume

407

Issue

6804

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Topic

  • Biological Sciences

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0028-0836