Structure and mechanics of nonpiscine control surfaces

Animals display a variety of control surfaces that can be used for propulsion and maneuvering devises. For nonpiscine vertebrates, these control surfaces are primarily evolutionary modifications of the paired appendages (i.e., legs). The diversity of control surfaces can be classified with regard to the forces used for stability and maneuverability. For animals, the pertinent forces are pressure drag, acceleration reaction, and lift. These forces can be generated actively by motion of the control surfaces or passively from flows produced by movements of the body or external flow fields. Drag-based control surfaces are associated with paddling and rowing movements, where the limbs are oriented either in the vertical parasagittal plane or horizontal plane, respectively. The paddle is unstreamlined and has a triangular design with a broad distal end, thereby affecting a large mass of water. Appendages, which are used to generate lift-based forces, are relatively stiff hydrofoils. To maximize lift, the hydrofoil should have a crescent wing-like design with high aspect ratio. This shape provides the hydrofoil with a high lift-to-drag ratio and high propulsive efficiency. The tail flukes of cetaceans are streamlined control surfaces with a wing-like design. The flukes of cetaceans function in the hydrodynamic generation of forces for thrust, stability, and maneuverability. The three-dimensional geometry of flukes is associated with the production of lift and drag. Previous studies of fluke geometry have been limited in the number of species examined and the resolution of measurements.