Clarification of spine locking mechanisms and their diversity in bony fishes for applications

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K01009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03070:Museology-related
• Research Institution: National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: SHINOHARA Gento 独立行政法人国立科学博物館, 動物研究部, 研究主幹 (10280520)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 関節 / 固定装置 / 棘条 / 担鰭骨

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Spiny rays, integral components of the fins in bony fishes, serve multifaceted functions ranging from defense against predators to aiding in swimming and localization. Despite their significance, the diversity and mechanisms underlying spine locking among bony fishes have remained largely obscure. Here, I present findings elucidating the mechanisms of spine locking in Japanese fishes through a comprehensive investigation employing radiographs, micro-CT, dissection and SEM. My study encompassed 20 families, revealing a spectrum of spine locking apparatuses. Notably, I shed light on the mechanism of Pinecone fishes, previously known only for the presence of the apparatus, and unveiled novel apparatuses in Knifejaws and a subset of Scorpionfishes. Furthermore, I discuss the potential application of these mechanisms in engineering contexts. Understanding the intricacies of spine locking mechanisms is crucial, particularly in the context of human safety during fish handling activities.

Free Research Field

系統分類学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本産の種を対象に棘条固定装置の多様性と仕組みの確認ができ、この結果は本邦以外に分布する種の棘条固定装置の探索にも利用可能である。本研究で明らかになった固定装置は少ない部品で錠前や鎖錠のような装置を開発するヒントになる。生物学を工学に結びつける異分野連携を推進する。
これまでは接触する骨どうしの摩擦だけが注目されたが、骨を結びつける腱も固定に重要で、腱を操作することで、ゴンズイなどの棘条の固定状態を解除可能であることが判明した。ヒトに役立つ工業製品のヒントは魚類液浸標本のような資料に求めることができることが示され、生物学以外の研究者だけでなく社会一般の生物学や水産学への関心の向上に寄与する。