Hitching a lift hydrodynamically--in swimming, flying and cycling.
Swimming animals set the water around them moving, and flying animals generate air movements. Other animals traveling with them can save energy by exploiting these movements of the fluid medium; similarly, a cyclist can save energy by riding close behind another. A new study of dolphin mothers and calves exemplifies the advantages of moving in concert.
Alexander
R McNeill
RM
School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. r.m.alexander@leeds.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D004289:Dolphins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*