... of the vortex wake – specifically, a fluid dynamical concept called optimal vortex formation – and not on details of animal morphology or phylogeny, we propose that higher organisms can also be understood in terms of these fluid dynamic organizing principles. This enables a quantitative, physically based...

... specimens was reconstructed on the basis of two-dimensional flow pictures. The dynamics of the wake was followed during a stroke cycle, revealing interspecific differences in vortex formation. It is suggested that insects create a single vortex ring during each stroke. Therefore, the hypothesis of double...