Efficiency in Relation To the Design of the Segmented Body Musculature in Brachydanio Rerio

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Abstract
In a model study of the axial musculature of fishes we optimize the muscle fibre pattern for structural efficiency. To that end we look for the smallest amount of muscle tissue still able to perform the prescribed function of bending the body. In the horizontal strip midway between the horizontal septum and the dorsal or ventral border of the myotome the muscle fibres are only allowed to run parallel to the median plane. For this strip the study results in: 1. The median muscle fibres make larger angles with respect to the body axis than the lateral muscle fibres. 2.The relation between the distance of the muscle fibre towards the median plane and the angle of the fibre with respect to the body axis is non-linear. The results of the model study agree reasonably well with the adult muscle fibre pattern of the zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio). This suggests that the axial musculature of the zebra fish has a high structural efficiency. Some other models of fish musculature are briefly reviewed.

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