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Undulatory swimming in shear-thinning fluids: experiments with Caenorhabditis elegans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2014

D. A. Gagnon ,
N. C. Keim  and
P. E. Arratia
D. A. Gagnon
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
N. C. Keim
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
P. E. Arratia*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: parratia@seas.upenn.edu
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Abstract

The swimming behaviour of micro-organisms can be strongly influenced by the rheology of their fluid environment. In this article, we experimentally investigate the effects of shear-thinning (ST) viscosity on the swimming behaviour of an undulatory swimmer, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Tracking methods are used to measure the swimmer’s kinematic data (including propulsion speed) and velocity fields. We find that ST viscosity modifies the velocity fields produced by the swimming nematode but does not modify the nematode’s speed and beating kinematics. Velocimetry data show significant enhancement in local vorticity and circulation and an increase in fluid velocity near the nematode’s tail. These findings are compared with recent theoretical and numerical results.

JFM classification

Complex Fluids: Complex Fluids Biological Fluid Dynamics: Micro-organism dynamics Biological Fluid Dynamics: Swimming/flying
Type
Rapids
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 758 , 10 November 2014 , R3
Copyright
© 2014 Cambridge University Press 

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