Data from: Morphology of the core fibrous layer of the cetacean tail fluke
Data files
Feb 13, 2019 version files 5.12 GB
-
Delphinus delphis Mid-Span Slices.zip
361.02 MB
-
Delphinus delphis Tail Base Slices.zip
337.31 MB
-
Delphinus delphis Tail Tip Slices.zip
340.83 MB
-
Grampus griseus Mid-Span Slices.zip
152.56 MB
-
Grampus griseus Tail Base Slices.zip
176.75 MB
-
Grampus griseus Tail Tip Slices.zip
156.84 MB
-
Kogia breviceps Mid-Span Slices.zip
459.81 MB
-
Kogia breviceps Tail Base Slices.zip
404.84 MB
-
Kogia breviceps Tail Tip Slices.zip
315.11 MB
-
Lagenorhynchus albirostris Mid-Span Slices.zip
255.33 MB
-
Lagenorhynchus albirostris Tail Base Slices.zip
542.43 MB
-
Lagenorhynchus albirostris Tail Tip Slices.zip
317.71 MB
-
Phocoena phocoena Mid-Span Slices.zip
257.79 MB
-
Phocoena phocoena Tail Base Slices.zip
93.20 MB
-
Phocoena phocoena Tail Tip Slices.zip
330.01 MB
-
Tursiops truncatus Mid-Span Slices.zip
259.90 MB
-
Tursiops truncatus Tail Base Slices.zip
214.75 MB
-
Tursiops truncatus Tail Tip Slices.zip
139.47 MB
Abstract
The cetacean tail fluke blades are not supported by any vertebral elements. Instead, the majority of the blades are composed of a densely packed collagenous fiber matrix known as the core layer. Fluke blades from six species of odontocete cetaceans were examined to compare the morphology and orientation of fibers at different locations along the spanwise and chordwise fluke blade axes. The general fiber morphology was consistent with a three‐dimensional structure comprised of two‐dimensional sheets of fibers aligned tightly in a laminated configuration along the spanwise axis. The laminated configuration of the fluke blades helps to maintain spanwise rigidity while allowing partial flexibility during swimming. When viewing the chordwise sectional face at the leading edge and mid‐chord regions, fibers displayed a crossing pattern. This configuration relates to bending and structural support of the fluke blade. The trailing edge core was found to have parallel fibers arranged more dorso‐ventrally. The fiber morphology of the fluke blades was dorso‐ventrally symmetrical and similar in all species except the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), which was found to have additional core layer fiber bundles running along the span of the fluke blade. These additional fibers may increase stiffness of the structure by resisting tension along their long spanwise axis.