Fish fin

Finsare movingappendagesprotruding from the body offishthat interact with water to generatethrustand help the fishswim.Apart from thetailorcaudal fin,fish fins have no direct connection with theback boneand are supported only bymuscles.

Ray fins on ateleost fish,Hector's lanternfish
(1) pectoral fins (paired), (2)pelvic fins(paired), (3)dorsal fin,
(4) adipose fin, (5) anal fin, (6)caudal (tail) fin

Fish fins are distinctive anatomical features with varying structures among differentclades:inray-finned fish(Actinopterygii), fins are mainly composed ofbonyspinesorrayscovered by a thin stretch ofscalelessskin;inlobe-finned fish(Sarcopterygii) such ascoelacanthsandlungfish,fins are short rays based around a muscular centralbudsupported byjointed bones;incartilaginous fish(Chondrichthyes) andjawless fish(Agnatha), fins are fleshy "flippers"supported by acartilaginousskeleton.

Fins at different locations of the fish body serve different purposes, and are divided into two groups: themidsagittalunpaired finsand the more laterally locatedpaired fins.Unpaired fins are predominantly associated with generating linear acceleration viaoscillating propulsion,as well as providingdirectional stability;while paired fins are used for generatingpaddling acceleration,deceleration, and differential thrust orliftforturning,surfacing or divingandrolling.Fins can also be used for other locomotions other than swimming, for example,flying fishuse pectoral fins forgliding flightabove water surface, andfrogfishand manyamphibious fishesuse pectoral and/or pelvic fins forcrawling.Fins can also be used for other purposes:remorasandgobieshave evolvedsucker-like dorsal fins for attaching to surfaces and "hitchhiking"; malesharksandmosquitofishuse a modified fin to deliver sperm;thresher sharksuse their caudal fin to whip and stun prey;reef stonefishhave spines in their dorsal fins that injectvenomas ananti-predator defense;anglerfishuse the first spine of their dorsal fin like afishing rodto lure prey; andtriggerfishavoidpredatorsby squeezing into coral crevices and using spines in their fins to anchor themselves in place.

Types of fins

Fins can either bepairedorunpaired.The pectoral and pelvic fins are paired, whereas the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are unpaired and situated along the midline of the body. For every type of fin, there are a number of fishspeciesin which this particular fin has been lost during evolution (e.g. pelvic fins in†Bobasatrania,caudal fin inocean sunfish). In someclades,additional unpaired fins were acquired during evolution (e.g. additional dorsal fins, adipose fin). In some†Acanthodii( "spiny sharks" ), one or more pairs of "intermediate" or "prepelvic" spines are present between the pectoral and pelvic fins, but these are not associated with fins.

Pectoral fins (Arm fins)		The pairedpectoral finsare located on each side, usually kept folded just behind the operculum, and arehomologousto the forelimbs of quadrupedaltetrapodsor the upper limbs of bipedal tetrapods. A peculiar function of pectoral fins, highly developed in some fish, is the creation of thedynamic liftingforce that assists some fish, such assharks,in maintaining depth and also enables the "flight"forflying fish In many fish, the pectoral fins aid inwalking,especially in the lobe-like fins of some anglerfish and in themudskipper(see alsowalking fish) Certain rays of the pectoral fins may be adapted into finger-like projections, such as insea robinsandflying gurnards Inskatesandrays,the pectoral fins are used for propulsion (rajiformpropulsion) The "horns" ofmanta raysand their relatives are calledcephalic fins;this is actually a modification of the anterior portion of the pectoral fin
Pelvic / Ventral fins (Belly fins)		The pairedpelvicorventral finsare the belly fins (fromLatinventer'belly') are typically located ventrally below and behind the pectoral fins, although in many fishfamiliesthey may be positioned in front of the pectoral fins (e.g. cods). They arehomologousto the hindlimbs of quadrupedaltetrapodsor the lower limbs of bipedal tetrapods. The pelvic fin assists the fish in going up or down through the water, turning sharply, and stopping quickly. Ingobies,the pelvic fins are often fused into a single sucker disk. This can be used to attach to objects Pelvic fins can take many positions along the ventral surface of the fish. The ancestralabdominalposition is seen in (for example) theminnows;thethoracicposition insunfish;and thejugularposition, when the pelvics are anterior to the pectoral fins, as seen in theburbot
Dorsal fin (Spinal fins)	Dorsal fin of a shark	Dorsal fin of a chub (Squalius cephalus) Thedorsal finsare located on the back. A fish can have up to three dorsal fins. The dorsal fins serve to protect the fish against rolling, and assist it in sudden turns and stops. Inanglerfish,the anterior of the dorsal fin is modified into anilliciumandesca,a biological equivalent to a fishingrodandlure The bones that support the dorsal fin are calledpterygiophores.There are two to three of them: "proximal"(axonosts)," middle "(baseosts), and"distal".In rock-hard, spinous fins the distal pterygiophores are often fused to the middle ones, or not present at all Gymnarchususes only its dorsal fin for propulsion Boxfish,pufferfishandocean sunfishuse their dorsal fin in combination with their anal fin for propulsion (tetraodontiformpropulsion)
Anal/cloacal fin		Theanal/cloacal finis located on theventralsurface behind theanus/cloaca. The bones that support the anal fin are calledpterygiophores.There are up to two series, aproximalseries (axonosts) and adistalseries (baseosts) Most fish use their anal fin to stabilize while swimming Knifefishuse their anal fins for thrust (gymnotiformpropulsion) Boxfish,pufferfishandocean sunfishuse their anal fin in combination with their dorsal fin for propulsion (tetraodontiformpropulsion)
Adipose fin	Adipose fin of a trout	Theadipose finis a soft, fleshy fin found on the back behind the dorsal fin and just forward of the caudal fin. It is absent in many fish families, but found in nine of the 31euteleosteanorders (Percopsiformes,Myctophiformes,Aulopiformes,Stomiiformes,Salmoniformes,Osmeriformes,Characiformes,SiluriformesandArgentiniformes).Famous representatives of these orders aresalmon,characidsandcatfish. The function of the adipose fin is something of a mystery. It is frequently clipped off to mark hatchery-raised fish, though data from 2005 showed that trout with their adipose fin removed have an 8% higher tailbeat frequency.Additional information released in 2011 has suggested that the fin may be vital for the detection of, and response to, stimuli such as touch, sound and changes in pressure. Canadian researchers identified a neural network in the fin, indicating that it likely has a sensory function, but are still not sure exactly what the consequences of removing it are. A comparative study in 2013 indicates the adipose fin can develop in two different ways. One is the salmoniform-type way, where the adipose fin develops from the larval-fin fold at the same time and in the same direct manner as the other median fins. The other is the characiform-type way, where the adipose fin develops late after the larval-fin fold has diminished and the other median fins have developed. They claim the existence of the characiform-type of development suggests the adipose fin is not "just a larval fin fold remainder" and is inconsistent with the view that the adipose fin lacks function. Research published in 2014 indicates that the adipose fin hasevolved repeatedly in separate lineages.
Caudal fin (Tail fin)	Heterocercal caudal fin (A) Homocercal caudal fin (C)	Thecaudal finis the tail fin (from the Latincaudameaning tail), located at the end of the caudal peduncle. It is used for propulsion in mosttaxa(see alsobody-caudal fin locomotion). The tail fin is supported by thevertebraeof theaxial skeletonand pterygiophores (radials). Depending on the relationship with the axial skeleton, four types of caudal fins (A-D) are distinguished: (A) -Heterocercalmeans the vertebrae extend into the upper lobe of the tail, often making it longer than the lower lobe (as insharks,†Placodermi,moststemActinopterygii,andsturgeons and paddlefish). However, the external shape of heterocercal tail fins can also appear symmetric (e.g.†Birgeria,†Bobasatrania). Heterocercal is the opposite of hypocercal Hypocercal,also known asreversed heterocercal,means that the vertebrae extend into the lower lobe of the tail, making it longer than the upper lobe (as in the†Anaspida). It is the opposite of heterocercal. Hemiheterocercalrefers to a condition that is intermediate between heterocercal and homocercal (see below), where the vertebrae do not extend to the tip the upper lobe (e.g. instemNeopterygii) (B) -Protocercalmeans the vertebrae extend to the tip of the tail and the tail is symmetrical but not expanded (as inthe first fishesand thecyclostomes,and a more primitive precursor inlancelets) (C) -Homocercalwhere the fin usually appears superficially symmetric but in fact the vertebrae extend for a very short distance into the upper lobe of the fin. Homocercal caudal fins can, however, also appear asymmetric (e.g.blue flying fish). Most modern fishes (teleosts) have a homocercal tail. These come in a variety of shapes, and can appear: roundedorpointed(e.g.round goby) truncated,ending in a more-or-less vertical edge (e.g.trout) emarginate,ending with a slight inward curve (e.g.Eurasian carp) forked,ending in two prongs (e.g.catla) lunateor shaped like a crescent moon (e.g.swordfish) (D) -Diphycercalmeans the vertebrae extend to the tip of the tail and the tail is symmetrical and expanded (as in thebichir,lungfish,lamprey,coelacanthsand†Tarrasiiformes). MostPalaeozoicfishes had a diphycercal heterocercal tail. Abbreviate diphycercalis a diphycercal fin with a short base (†Saurichthyiformes)
Caudal keel Finlets		Some types of fast-swimming fish have a horizontalcaudal keeljust forward of the tail fin. Much like thekeelof a ship, this is a lateral ridge on the caudal peduncle, usually composed of scutes (see below), that provides stability and support to the caudal fin. There may be a single paired keel, one on each side, or two pairs above and below. Finletsare small fins, generally behind the dorsal and anal fins (inbichirs,there are only finlets on the dorsal surface and no dorsal fin). In some fish such astunaorsauries,they are rayless, non-retractable, and found between the last dorsal and/or anal fin and the caudal fin.

Bony fishes

Skeleton of alingcod,aray-finned fish

Bony fishes(ActinopterygiiandSarcopterygii) form ataxonomicgroup called Osteichthyes (orEuteleostomi,which includes alsoland vertebrates); they have skeletons made of bone mostly, and can be contrasted withcartilaginous fishes(see below), which have skeletons made mainly ofcartilage(except for theirteeth,fin spines,anddenticles).

Bony fishes are divided intoray-finnedandlobe-finned fish.Most living fish are ray-finned, an extremely diverse and abundant group consisting of over 30,000species.It is the largest class of vertebrates in existence today, making up more than 50% of species.In the distant past, lobe-finned fish were abundant; however, there are currently only 8 species.

Bony fish have fin spines calledlepidotrichiaor "rays" (due to how the spines spread open). They typically haveswim bladders,which allow the fish to alter therelative densityof its body and thus thebuoyancy,so it can sink or float without having to use the fins to swim up and down.However, swim bladders are absent in many fish, most notably inlungfishes,who have evolved their swim bladders into primitivelungs,which may have a shared evolutionary origin with those of their terrestrial relatives, thetetrapods.Bony fishes also have a pair ofoperculathat function to draw water across thegills,which help them breathe without needing to swim forward to force the water into the mouth across the gills.

Lobe-fins

Main article:Sarcopterygii

Lobe-finned fishes,like thiscoelacanth,have fins that are borne on a fleshy, lobe-like, scaly stalk extending from the body. Due to the high number of fins it possesses, the coelacanth has high maneuverability and can orient its body in almost any direction in the water.

Pectoral fin with fleshy lobe ofLatimeria chalumnae(Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0)

Skeleton of the pectoral girdle and fin of theextantcoelacanthLatimeria chalumnae(Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0)

Lobe-finned fishesform a class ofbony fishescalled Sarcopterygii. They have fleshy,lobed,paired fins, which are joined to the body by a series of bones.The fins of lobe-finned fish differ from those of all other fish in that each is borne on a fleshy, lobe-like, scaly stalk extending from the body.Pectoralandpelvic finshave articulations resembling those of tetrapod limbs. These finsevolved into legsof the firsttetrapodland vertebrates (amphibians) in theDevonianPeriod.Sarcopterygians also possess two dorsal fins with separate bases, as opposed to the single dorsal fin of mostray-finned fish(except someteleosts). Thecaudal finis either heterocercal (only fossiltaxa) or diphycercal.

Thecoelacanthis one type of living lobe-finned fish. Both extant members of this group, theWest Indian Ocean coelacanth(Latimeria chalumnae) and theIndonesian coelacanth(Latimeria menadoensis), are found in the genusLatimeria.Coelacanths are thought to have evolved roughly into their current form about 408 million years ago, during the early Devonian.

Locomotion of the coelacanths is unique to their kind. To move around, coelacanths most commonly take advantage of up or downwellings of the current and drift. They use their paired fins to stabilize their movement through the water. While on the ocean floor their paired fins are not used for any kind of movement. Coelacanths can create thrust for quick starts by using their caudal fins. Due to the high number of fins they possess, coelacanths have high maneuverability and can orient their bodies in almost any direction in the water. They have been seen doing headstands and swimming belly up. It is thought that their rostral organ helps give the coelacanth electroperception, which aids in their movement around obstacles.

Lungfishare also living lobe-finned fish. They occur in Africa (Protopterus), Australia (Neoceratodus), and South America (Lepidosiren). Lungfish evolved during the Devonian Period. Genetic studies and paleontological data confirm that lungfish are the closest living relatives ofland vertebrates.

Fin arrangement and body shape is relatively conservative in lobe-finned fishes. However, there are a few examples from thefossil recordthat show aberrantmorphologies,such asAllenypterus,Rebellatrix,Foreyiaor thetetrapodomorphs.

Diversity of fins in lobe-finned fishes

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  †Tiktaalik roseae
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  Spotted lungfishProtopterus dolloi
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  Queensland lungfishNeoceratodus forsteri
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  †Dipterus valenciennesi
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  †Osteolepis macrolepidotus
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  †Eusthenopteron foordi
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  †Undina gulo
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  †Allenypterus montanus
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  West Indian Ocean coelacanthLatimeria chalumnae
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  †Mawsonia gigas

Ray-fins

Further information:Actinopterygii

Thehaddock,a type ofcod,is ray-finned. It has three dorsal and two anal fins

Ray-finned fishesform a class ofbony fishescalled Actinopterygii. Their fins contain spines or rays. A fin may contain only spiny rays, only soft rays, or a combination of both. If both are present, the spiny rays are alwaysanterior.Spines are generally stiff and sharp. Rays are generally soft, flexible, segmented, and may be branched. This segmentation of rays is the main difference that separates them from spines; spines may be flexible in certain species, but they will never be segmented.

Spines have a variety of uses. Incatfish,they are used as a form of defense; many catfish have the ability to lock their spines outwards.Triggerfishalso use spines to lock themselves in crevices to prevent them being pulled out.

Lepidotrichia are usually composed ofbone,but those of earlyosteichthyans- such asCheirolepis- also haddentineandenamel.They are segmented and appear as a series of disks stacked one on top of another. They may have been derived from dermal scales.The genetic basis for the formation of the fin rays is thought to be genes coded for the production of certain proteins. It has been suggested that the evolution of the tetrapod limb from lobe-finned fishes is related to the loss of these proteins.

Diversity of fins in ray-finned fishes

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  Fanfin anglerCaulophryne jordani
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  Pancake batfishHalieutichthys aculeatus
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  Slender sunfishRanzania laevis
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  FanfishPteraclis carolinus
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  Diaphanous hatchetfishSternoptyx diaphana
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  Silver roughyHoplostethus mediterraneus
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  Crested flounderLophonectes gallus
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  Jack-knifefishEquetus lanceolatus
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  Atlantic pomfretBrama brama
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  Atlantic wreckfishPolyprion americanus
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  Stellate pufferfishArothron stellatus
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  Stargazing seadevilCeratias uranoscopus
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  RidgeheadPoromitra unicornis
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  Tropical two-wing flyingfishExocoetus evolans
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  Cusk-eelBenthocometes robustus
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  RattailTrachonurus sulcatus
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  Tripod fishBathypterois grallator
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  Giant oarfishRegalecus glesne
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  Shortbill spearfishTetrapturus angustirostris
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  Ghost knifefishSternarchorhynchus oxyrhynchus
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  RemoraRemora brachyptera
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  Blue-dashed rockskipperBlenniella periophthalmus
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  Nile bichirPolypterus bichir
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  Coastal cutthroat troutOncorhynchus clarkii
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  African butter catfishSchilbe mystus
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  Conger eelLeptocephalus conger

Cartilaginous fishes

Main article:Chondrichthyes

Cartilaginous fishes,like this shark, have fins that are elongated and supported with soft and unsegmented rays named ceratotrichia, filaments of elastic protein resembling the hornykeratinin hair and feathers.

Caudal fin of agrey reef shark

Cartilaginous fishesform a class of fishes called Chondrichthyes. They have skeletons made ofcartilagerather thanbone.The class includessharks,raysandchimaeras.

Shark fin skeletons are elongated and supported with soft and unsegmented rays named ceratotrichia, filaments of elastic protein resembling the hornykeratinin hair and feathers.Originally the pectoral and pelvic girdles, which do not contain any dermal elements, did not connect. In later forms, each pair of fins became ventrally connected in the middle when scapulocoracoid and puboischiadic bars evolved. Inrays,the pectoral fins have connected to the head and are very flexible. One of the primary characteristics present in most sharks is the heterocercal tail, which aids in locomotion.Most sharks have eight fins. Sharks can only drift away from objects directly in front of them because their fins do not allow them to move in the tail-first direction.

Unlike modern cartilaginous fish, members ofstemchondrichthyan lineages (e.g. the†climatiidsand the†diplacanthids)possessed pectoral dermal plates as well as dermal spines associated with the paired fins. The oldest species demonstrating these features is the†acanthodian†Fanjingshania renovatafrom the lowerSilurian(Aeronian) of China. Fanjingshania possess compound pectoral plates composed of dermal scales fused to a bony plate and fin spines formed entirely of bone. Fin spines associated with the dorsal fins are rare among extant cartilaginous fishes, but are present, for instance, inHeterodontusorSqualus.Dorsal fin spines are typically developed in many fossil groups, such as in†Hybodontiformes,†Ctenacanthiformesor†Xenacanthida.In†Stethacanthus,the first dorsal fin spine was modified, forming a spine-brush complex.

As with most fish, the tails of sharks provide thrust, making speed and acceleration dependent on tail shape.Caudal finshapes vary considerably between shark species, due to their evolution in separate environments. Sharks possess aheterocercalcaudal fin in which thedorsalportion is usually noticeably larger than theventralportion. This is because the shark'svertebral columnextends into that dorsal portion, providing a greater surface area formuscleattachment. This allows more efficientlocomotionamong these negativelybuoyantcartilaginous fish. By contrast, most bony fish possess ahomocercalcaudal fin.

Tiger sharkshave a large upperlobe,which allows for slow cruising and sudden bursts of speed. The tiger shark must be able to twist and turn in the water easily when hunting to support its varied diet, whereas theporbeagle shark,which hunts schooling fish such asmackerelandherring,has a large lower lobe to help it keep pace with its fast-swimming prey.Other tail adaptations help sharks catch prey more directly, such as thethresher shark's usage of its powerful, elongated upper lobe to stun fish and squid.

On the other hand, rays rely on their enlarged pectoral fins for propulsion. Similarly enlarged pectoral fins can be found in theextinct†Petalodontiformes(e.g.†Belantsea,†Janassa,†Menaspis), which belong toHolocephali(ratfish and their fossil relatives), or in†Aquilolamna(Selachimorpha) and†Squatinactis(Squatinactiformes). Some cartilaginous fishes have aneel-like locomotion(e.g.Chlamydoselachus,†Thrinacoselache,†Phoebodus)

Diversity of fins in cartilaginous fishes

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  Small-spotted catsharkScyliorhinus canicula
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  Great white sharkCarcharodon carcharias
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  Common thresherAlopias vulpinus
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  Largetooth sawfishPristis perotteti
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  Marbled electric rayTorpedo marmorata
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  Bennett's stingrayHemitrygon bennettii
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  Frilled sharkChlamydoselachus anguineus
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  The†xenacanth†Lebachacanthus senckenbergianus
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  The†symmoriiform†Stethacanthus productus
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  The†ctenacanthid†Wodnika striatula
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  Theelasmobranch†Bandringa rayi
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  The†Iniopterygiformes†Sibyrhynchus denisoni(Holocephali)
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  Cuban chimaeraChimaera cubana
• 
  American elephantfishCallorhinchus callorhynchus

Shark finning

Shark fin

According to theHumane Society International,approximately 100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, in an act known asshark finning.After the fins are cut off, the mutilated sharks are thrown back in the water and left to die.

In some countries ofAsia,shark fins are a culinary delicacy, such asshark fin soup.Currently, international concerns over thesustainabilityandwelfareof sharks have impacted consumption and availability of shark fin soup worldwide.Shark finning is prohibited in many countries.

Fin functions

Generating thrust

See also:Fish locomotion

Foilshapedfinsgeneratethrustwhen moved, the lift of the fin sets water or air in motion and pushes the fin in the opposite direction. Aquatic animals get significantthrustby moving fins back and forth in water. Often thetail finis used, but some aquatic animals generate thrust frompectoral fins.

Moving fins can provide thrust

Fish get thrust moving vertical tail fins from side to side.

Stingrays get thrust from large pectoral fins.

Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling

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Finletsmay influence the way avortexdevelops around the tail fin.

Cavitationoccurs when negative pressure causes bubbles (cavities) to form in a liquid, which then promptly and violently collapse. It can cause significant damage and wear.Cavitation damage can occur to the tail fins of powerful swimming marine animals, such as dolphins and tuna. Cavitation is more likely to occur near the surface of the ocean, where the ambient water pressure is relatively low. Even if they have the power to swim faster, dolphins may have to restrict their speed because collapsing cavitation bubbles on their tail are too painful.Cavitation also slows tuna, but for a different reason. Unlike dolphins, these fish do not feel the bubbles, because they have bony fins without nerve endings. Nevertheless, they cannot swim faster because the cavitation bubbles create a vapor film around their fins that limits their speed. Lesions have been found on tuna that are consistent with cavitation damage.

Scombridfishes (tuna, mackerel and bonito) are particularly high-performance swimmers. Along the margin at the rear of their bodies is a line of small rayless, non-retractable fins, known asfinlets.There has been much speculation about the function of these finlets. Research done in 2000 and 2001 by Nauen and Lauder indicated that "the finlets have a hydrodynamic effect on local flow during steady swimming" and that "the most posterior finlet is oriented to redirect flow into the developing tail vortex, which may increase thrust produced by the tail of swimming mackerel".

Fish use multiple fins, so it is possible that a given fin can have a hydrodynamic interaction with another fin. In particular, the fins immediately upstream of the caudal (tail) fin may be proximate fins that can directly affect the flow dynamics at the caudal fin. In 2011, researchers usingvolumetric imagingtechniques were able to generate "the first instantaneous three-dimensional views of wake structures as they are produced by freely swimming fishes". They found that "continuous tail beats resulted in the formation of a linked chain of vortex rings" and that "the dorsal and anal fin wakes are rapidly entrained by the caudal fin wake, approximately within the timeframe of a subsequent tail beat".

Controlling motion

Once motion has been established, the motion itself can be controlled with the use of other fins.

Specialised fins are used to control motion

Like boats and airplanes, fish need some control over sixdegrees of freedom,three translational (heaving, swaying and surging) and three rotational (pitching, yawing and rolling).

Manyreef fishhave pectoral and pelvic fins optimised for flattened bodies.

The dorsal fin of a white shark containdermalfibers that work "like riggings that stabilize a ship's mast", and stiffen dynamically as the shark swims faster to control roll and yaw.

The bodies ofreef fishesare often shaped differently fromopen water fishes.Open water fishes are usually built for speed, streamlined like torpedoes to minimise friction as they move through the water. Reef fish operate in the relatively confined spaces and complex underwater landscapes ofcoral reefs.For this manoeuvrability is more important than straight line speed, so coral reef fish have developed bodies which optimize their ability to dart and change direction. They outwit predators by dodging into fissures in the reef or playing hide and seek around coral heads.The pectoral and pelvic fins of many reef fish, such asbutterflyfish,damselfishandangelfish,have evolved so they can act as brakes and allow complex manoeuvres.Many reef fish, such asbutterflyfish,damselfishandangelfish,have evolved bodies which are deep and laterally compressed like a pancake, and will fit into fissures in rocks. Their pelvic and pectoral fins have evolved differently, so they act together with the flattened body to optimise manoeuvrability.Some fishes, such aspuffer fish,filefishandtrunkfish,rely on pectoral fins for swimming and hardly use tail fins at all.

Reproduction

This malemosquitofishhas a gonopodium, an anal fin which functions as an intromittent organ.

This young malespinner sharkhas claspers, a modification to the pelvic fins which also function as intromittent organs.

"Gonopodium" redirects here. For the reproductive appendages of arthropods, seeGonopod.

Malecartilaginous fishes(sharks and rays), as well as the males of some live-bearingray finned fishes,have fins that have been modified to function asintromittent organs,reproductive appendages which allowinternal fertilization.In ray finned fish, they are calledgonopodiaorandropodia,and in cartilaginous fish, they are calledclaspers.

Gonopodiaare found on the males of some species in theAnablepidaeandPoeciliidaefamilies. They are anal fins that have been modified to function as movable intromittent organs and are used to impregnate females withmiltduring mating. The third, fourth and fifth rays of the male's anal fin are formed into a tube-like structure in which the sperm of the fish is ejected.When ready for mating, the gonopodium becomes erect and points forward towards the female. The male shortly inserts the organ into the sex opening of the female, with hook-like adaptations that allow the fish to grip onto the female to ensure impregnation. If a female remains stationary and her partner contacts her vent with his gonopodium, she is fertilized. The sperm is preserved in the female's oviduct. This allows females to fertilize themselves at any time without further assistance from males. In some species, the gonopodium may be half the total body length. Occasionally the fin is too long to be used, as in the "lyretail" breeds ofXiphophorus helleri.Hormone treated females may develop gonopodia. These are useless for breeding.

Similar organs with similar characteristics are found in other fishes, for example theandropodiumin theHemirhamphodonor in theGoodeidaeor thegonopodiumin theMiddle Triassic†Saurichthys,the oldest known example ofviviparityin a ray-finned fish.

Claspersare found on the males ofcartilaginous fishes.They are the posterior part of the pelvic fins that have also been modified to function as intromittent organs, and are used to channel semen into the female'scloacaduring copulation. The act of mating in sharks usually includes raising one of the claspers to allow water into a siphon through a specificorifice.The clasper is then inserted into the cloaca, where it opens like an umbrella to anchor its position. The siphon then begins to contract expelling water and sperm.

Other functions

Other uses of fins include walking and perching on the sea floor, gliding over water, cooling of body temperature, stunning of prey, display (scaring of predators, courtship), defence (venomous fin spines, locking between corals), luring of prey, and attachment structures.

TheIndo-Pacific sailfishhas a prominent dorsal fin. Likescombroidsand otherbillfish,they streamline themselves by retracting their dorsal fins into a groove in their body when they swim.The huge dorsal fin, or sail, of the sailfish is kept retracted most of the time. Sailfish raise them if they want to herd a school of small fish, and also after periods of high activity, presumably to cool down.

Other uses of fins

Frogfishuse their pectoral and pelvic fins towalkalong the ocean bottom.

Flying fishachieve sufficient lift toglideabove the surface of the water thanks to their enlarged pectoral fins.

Large retractable dorsal fin of theIndo-Pacific sailfish,possibly used forcooling(thermoregulation).

Thethresher sharkuses its very elongated caudal fin tostunprey.

Species oftripod fishBathypteroishave elongated pectoral and pelvic fins, and an elongated caudal fin, which allow them to move andperchon the ocean floor.

Theoriental flying gurnardhas large pectoral fins which it normally holds against its body, and expands when threatened to scare predators. Despite its name, it is ademersal fish,not a flying fish, and uses its pelvic fins to walk along the bottom of the ocean.

Fins can have an adaptive significance as sexual ornaments. During courtship, the femalecichlid,Pelvicachromis taeniatus,displays a large and visually arresting purplepelvic fin."The researchers found that males clearly preferred females with a larger pelvic fin and that pelvic fins grew in a more disproportionate way than other fins on female fish."

Other uses of fins

TheOriental flying gurnardhas large pectoral fins witheye spotswhich it displays toscare predators.

Duringcourtship,the femalecichlid,Pelvicachromis taeniatus,displays her visually arresting purplepelvic fin.

Triggerfishsqueeze into coral crevices to avoid predators, andlockthemselves in place with the first spine of their dorsal fin.

The first spine of the dorsal fin of theanglerfishis modified so it functions like a fishing rod with alureto attract prey.

Remorashave modified first dorsal fins, which take the form of an oval, sucker-like organ with which theyattachthemselves to other marine organisms.

Lionfishhavevenomousspines (fin rays) on their dorsal, pelvic and anal fins, which they use fordefense.

Evolution

See also:Evolution of fish

Evolution of paired fins

There are two prevailing hypotheses that have been historically debated as models for the evolution of paired fins in fish: the gill arch theory and the lateral fin-fold theory. The former, commonly referred to as the “Gegenbaur hypothesis,”was posited in 1870 and proposes that the “paired fins are derived from gill structures”.This fell out of popularity in favor of the lateral fin-fold theory, first suggested in 1877, which proposes that paired fins budded from longitudinal, lateral folds along the epidermis just behind the gills.There is weak support for both hypotheses in the fossil record and in embryology.However, recent insights from developmental patterning have prompted reconsideration of both theories in order to better elucidate the origins of paired fins.

Classical theories

Carl Gegenbaur's concept of the “Archipterygium” was introduced in 1876.It was described as a gill ray, or “joined cartilaginous stem,” that extended from the gill arch. Additional rays arose from along the arch and from the central gill ray. Gegenbaur suggested a model oftransformative homology– that all vertebrate paired fins and limbs were transformations of the Archipterygium. Based on this theory, paired appendages such as pectoral and pelvic fins would have differentiated from the branchial arches and migrated posteriorly. However, there has been limited support for this hypothesis in the fossil record both morphologically and phylogenically.In addition, there was little to no evidence of an anterior-posterior migration of pelvic fins.Such shortcomings of the gill-arch theory led to its early demise in favor of the lateral fin-fold theory proposed bySt. George Jackson Mivart,Francis Balfour,andJames Kingsley Thacher.

The lateral fin-fold theory hypothesized that paired fins developed from lateral folds along the body wall of the fish.Just as segmentation and budding of the median fin fold gave rise to the median fins, a similar mechanism of fin bud segmentation and elongation from a lateral fin fold was proposed to have given rise to the paired pectoral and pelvic fins. However, there was little evidence of a lateral fold-to-fin transition in the fossil record.In addition, it was later demonstrated phylogenically that pectoral and pelvic fins arise from distinct evolutionary and mechanistic origins.

Evolutionary developmental biology

See also:Evolutionary developmental biology

Recent studies in the ontogeny and evolution of paired appendages have compared finless vertebrates – such aslampreys– withchondricthyes,the most basal living vertebrate with paired fins.In 2006, researchers found that the same genetic programming involved in the segmentation and development of median fins was found in the development of paired appendages incatsharks.Although these findings do not directly support the lateral fin-fold hypothesis, the original concept of a shared median-paired fin evolutionary developmental mechanism remains relevant.

A similar renovation of an old theory may be found in the developmental programming of chondricthyan gill arches and paired appendages. In 2009, researchers at theUniversity of Chicagodemonstrated that there are shared molecular patterning mechanisms in the early development of the chondricthyan gill arch and paired fins.Findings such as these have prompted reconsideration of the once-debunked gill-arch theory.

From fins to limbs

Fish are the ancestors of all mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians.In particular, terrestrialtetrapods(four-legged animals) evolved from fish and made their first forays onto land about 390 million years ago.They used paired pectoral and pelvic fins for locomotion. The pectoral fins developed into forelegs (arms in the case of humans) and the pelvic fins developed into hind legs.Much of the genetic machinery that builds a walking limb in a tetrapod is already present in the swimming fin of a fish.

Aristotle recognised the distinction betweenanalogousandhomologous structures,and made the following prophetic comparison: "Birds in a way resemble fishes. For birds have their wings in the upper part of their bodies and fishes have two fins in the front part of their bodies. Birds have feet on their underpart and most fishes have a second pair of fins in their under-part and near their front fins."

– Aristotle,De incessu animalium

Comparison between A) the swimming fin of alobe-finned fishand B) the walking leg of atetrapod.Bones considered to correspond with each other have the same color.

In a parallel but independent evolution, the ancient reptile†Ichthyosaurus communisdeveloped fins (or flippers) very similar to fish (or dolphins).

In 2011, researchers atMonash Universityin Australia used primitive but still livinglungfish"to trace the evolution of pelvic fin muscles to find out how the load-bearing hind limbs of the tetrapods evolved."Further research at the University of Chicago found bottom-walking lungfishes had already evolved characteristics of the walking gaits of terrestrial tetrapods.

In a classic example ofconvergent evolution,the pectoral limbs ofpterosaurs,birdsandbatsfurther evolved along independent paths into flying wings. Even with flying wings there are many similarities with walking legs, and core aspects of the genetic blueprint of the pectoral fin have been retained.

The first mammals appeared during theTriassicperiod (between 251.9 and 201.4 million years ago). Several groups of these mammals started returning to the sea, including thecetaceans(whales, dolphins and porpoises). Recent DNA analysis suggests that cetaceans evolved from within theeven-toed ungulates,and that they share a common ancestor with thehippopotamus.About 23 million years ago another group of bearlike land mammals started returning to the sea. These were theseals.What had become walking limbs in cetaceans and seals evolved independently into new forms of swimming fins. The forelimbs becameflippers,while the hindlimbs were either lost (cetaceans) or also modified into flipper (pinnipeds). In cetaceans, the tail gained two fins at the end, called afluke.Fish tails are usually vertical and move from side to side. Cetacean flukes are horizontal and move up and down, because cetacean spines bend the same way as in other mammals.

Similar adaptations for fully aquatic lifestyle are found both in dolphins and ichthyosaurs.

Ichthyosaursare ancient reptiles that resembled dolphins. They first appeared about 245 million years ago and disappeared about 90 million years ago.

"This sea-going reptile with terrestrial ancestors converged so strongly on fishes that it actually evolved adorsal finand tail fin for improved aquatic locomotion. These structures are all the more remarkable because they evolved from nothing — the ancestral terrestrial reptile had no hump on its back or blade on its tail to serve as a precursor. "

The biologistStephen Jay Gouldsaid the ichthyosaur was his favorite example ofconvergent evolution.

Fins or flippers of varying forms and at varying locations (limbs, body, tail) have also evolved in a number of other tetrapod groups, including diving birds such as penguins (modified from wings), sea turtles (forelimbs modified into flippers), mosasaurs (limbs modified into flippers), and sea snakes (vertically expanded, flattened tail fin).

Robotic fins

See also:Robot fish

In the 1990s, theCIAbuilt a robotic catfish calledCharlie,designed to collect underwater intelligence undetected.

External videos
AquaPenguin-Festo, YouTube
AquaRay-Festo, YouTube
AquaJelly-Festo, YouTube
AiraCuda-Festo, YouTube

The use of fins forthe propulsionof aquatic animals can be remarkably effective. It has been calculated that some fish can achieve apropulsiveefficiency greater than 90%.Fish can accelerate and maneuver much more effectively thanboatsorsubmarine,and produce less water disturbance and noise. This has led tobiomimeticstudies of underwater robots which attempt to emulate the locomotion of aquatic animals.An example is the Robot Tuna built by theInstitute of Field Robotics,to analyze and mathematically modelthunniform motion.In 2005, theSea Life London Aquariumdisplayed three robotic fish created by the computer science department at theUniversity of Essex.The fish were designed to be autonomous, swimming around and avoiding obstacles like real fish. Their creator claimed that he was trying to combine "the speed of tuna, acceleration of a pike, and the navigating skills of an eel."

TheAquaPenguin,developed byFestoof Germany, copies the streamlined shape and propulsion by front flippers ofpenguins.Festo also developedAquaRay,AquaJellyandAiraCuda,respectively emulating the locomotion of manta rays, jellyfish and barracuda.

In 2004,Hugh Herrat MIT prototyped abiomechatronicrobotic fish with a livingactuatorby surgically transplanting muscles from frog legs to the robot and then making the robot swim by pulsing the muscle fibers with electricity.

Robotic fish offer some research advantages, such as the ability to examine an individual part of a fish design in isolation from the rest of the fish. However, this risks oversimplifying the biology so key aspects of the animal design are overlooked. Robotic fish also allow researchers to vary a single parameter, such as flexibility or a specific motion control. Researchers can directly measure forces, which is not easy to do in live fish. "Robotic devices also facilitate three-dimensional kinematic studies and correlated hydrodynamic analyses, as the location of the locomotor surface can be known accurately. And, individual components of a natural motion (such as outstroke vs. instroke of a flapping appendage) can be programmed separately, which is certainly difficult to achieve when working with a live animal."

See also

• Cephalopod fin
• Fin and flipper locomotion
• Fish locomotion
• Polydactyly in early tetrapods
• RoboTuna
• Shark fin soup
• Tradeoffs for locomotion in air and water
• Undulatory locomotion

References

Bibliography

• Hamlett, William C. (1999).Sharks, skates, and rays: the biology of elasmobranch fishes(1st ed.). The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 56.ISBN978-0-8018-6048-5.

Further reading

• Hall, Brian K (2007)Fins into Limbs: Evolution, Development, and TransformationUniversity of Chicago Press.ISBN9780226313375.
• Helfman G, Collette BB, Facey DE and Bowen BW (2009)"Functional morphology of locomotion and feeding"Chapter 8, pp. 101–116. In:The Diversity of Fishes: Biology,John Wiley & Sons.ISBN9781444311907.
• Lauder, GV;Nauen, JC; Drucker, EG (2002)."Experimental Hydrodynamics and Evolution: Function of Median Fins in Ray-finned Fishes".Integr. Comp. Biol.42(5): 1009–1017.doi:10.1093/icb/42.5.1009.PMID21680382.
• Lauder, GV; Drucker, EG (2004)."Morphology and experimental hydrodynamics of fish fin control surfaces"(PDF).Journal of Oceanic Engineering.29(3): 556–571.Bibcode:2004IJOE...29..556L.doi:10.1109/joe.2004.833219.S2CID36207755.

External links

• Homology of fin lepidotrichia in osteichthyan fishes
• The Fish's FinEarthlife Web
• Can robot fish find pollution?HowStuffWorks.Accessed 30 January 2012.