Research

Feeding

We study the biomechanical basis of feeding in ray-finned fishes. Our work combines experiments with live fishes with computational and biorobotic models. Current and past projects have focused on feeding mechanisms in deep-sea fishes as well as generalized patterns of suction feeding.

Relevant Publications

Swimming Physiology and Biomechanics

We are also interested in the energetics and biomechanical basis of swimming. In particular, we seek a better understanding of the metabolic costs associated with diverse swimming modes found in fishes and how musculoskeletal and dermal tissues contribute to locomotion.

Relevant Publications

  • Kenaley, C.P., Sanain, A., Ackerman, J.,  Yoo, J. Alberts, A. 2018.  Skin stiffness in ray‐finned fishes: Contrasting material properties between species and body regions. Journal of Morphology.
  • Di Santo, V., Kenaley, C.P. and Lauder, G.V., 2017. High postural costs and anaerobic metabolism during swimming support the hypothesis of a U-shaped metabolism–speed curve in fishes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, p.201715141.
  • Di Santo, V. and Kenaley, C.P., 2016. Skating by: low energetic costs of swimming in a batoid fish. Journal of Experimental Biology, 219(12), pp.1804-1807.
  • Kenaley, C.P., Stote, A. and Flammang, B.E., 2014. The morphological basis of labriform rowing in the deep-sea Bigscale Scopelogadus beanii (Percomorpha: Beryciformes). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 461, pp.297-305.

Molecular Evolution

In addition to studying the fishes as whole organisms, we seek to understand the molecular and even genomic basis of phenotypic diversification in fishes as well. This applies especially to visual systems in the deep-sea where the selective forces have shaped visual pigment evolution in the most extraordinary ways.

Relevant Publications

  • Kenaley, C.P., DeVaney, S.C. and Fjeran, T.T., 2014. The complex evolutionary history of seeing red: molecular phylogeny and the evolution of an adaptive visual system in deep‐sea dragonfishes (Stomiiformes: Stomiidae). Evolution, 68(4), pp.996-1013.
  • Henzy, J.E., Gifford, R.J., Kenaley, C.P. and Johnson, W.E., 2016. An Intact Retroviral Gene Conserved in Spiny-Rayed Fishes for over 100 My. Molecular biology and evolution, 34(3), pp.634-639.

Biodiversity and Systematics

Fishes are by far the most diverse group of vertebrates, yet the full scope of their diversity remains unknown. From time to time, we take on explorations of diversity through collections-based taxonomic revisions and phylogenetic inference of ray-finned fishes. Most of this work has focussed on deep-sea taxa—dragonfishes in particular—groups whose relationships and species richness is poorly understood.

Relevant Publications

  • Stevenson, D.E. and Kenaley, C.P., 2013. Revision of the manefish genera Caristius and Platyberyx (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Caristiidae), with descriptions of five new species. Copeia, 2013(3), pp.415-434.
  • Stevenson, D.E. and Kenaley, C.P., 2011. Revision of the manefish genus Paracaristius (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Caristiidae), with descriptions of a new genus and three new species. Copeia, 2011(3), pp.385-399.
  • Kenaley, C.P., 2010. Comparative innervation of cephalic photophores of the loosejaw dragonfishes (Teleostei: Stomiiformes: Stomiidae): Evidence for parallel evolution of long‐wave bioluminescence. Journal of morphology, 271(4), pp.418-437.
  • Kenaley, C., 2009. Revision of Indo-Pacific species of the loosejaw dragonfish genus Photostomias (Teleostei: Stomiidae: Malacosteinae). Copeia, 2009(1), pp.175-189.
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