Robert W. Blake

Department of Zoology

University of British Columbia (U. B. C.)

Professor (1991-Present)

Associate Dean, Awards and Doctoral Orals, Faculty of Graduate Studies (2000-2001)

Associate Dean, Research and Faculty Development, Faculty of Graduate Studies (1998-2000)

President, Faculty Association of U. B. C. (1996-1998)

Vice-President, Faculty Association of U. B. C. (1994-1996)

Associate Professor (1985)

Assistant Professor (1979)

Ph.D., Cambridge (1979)

B.Sc., Bristol (1975)

Research Interests

To date my research has focused on integrating morphological, physiological, behavioural and ecological aspects of the biology of aquatic animals in the context of biomechanics. Most of my work has been on fish locomotion particularly on the functional design, mechanics and energetics of rigid-bodied forms propelled by median and/or paired fins. My principle interest is in understanding the adaptations of these fish to low speed swimming in complex environments (e.g. coral reefs, kelp beds, etc.). My work to date has added substantially to our understanding of the diversity of fish form and movement in an ecological context. The use of fish locomotory designs as biomimetic models for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV’s) has added a novel and practical relevance to this work.

My current primary interests involve:

1. Median and/or paired fin propulsion which is common in fish that inhabit complex environments (e.g. coral reefs, kelp beds) where many body and caudal fin swimmers also employ fin-based propulsion for low speed swimming and hovering.

2. The combined use of computer science and biomechanics for their direct application to AUV.

3. Economics modelling for the fisheries industry by allowing technological advances to evolve through time (in collaboration with Dr. James Brander in Commerce).

4. The aspect ratio of fast swimmers and its effect on the kinematics and hydrodynamics in fish (in collaboration with Dr. Boye Ahlborn in Physics).

Personnel

Master’s Students:

Jason Li (January 2007 start)

Ava Lin

Hale Loofburrow

Undergraduate Students:

Beth Borrill

Lucy Cao

Keith Chan

Peter Kwok

Bahram Norouzi

Publications

Cheneval, O., Blake, R. W., Trites, A. and Chan, K. H. S. (2007). Biomechanics of turning manoeuvres in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Marine Mammal Science (in press).

Blake, R. W. and Chan, K. H. S. (2006). Models of turning dynamics and fast-start swimming of aquatic vertebrates. Journal of Fish Biology (in press).

Blake, R. W. (2006). Biomechanics of rheotaxis in six teleost genera. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84, 1173-1186.

Blake, R. W., Kwok, P. Y. L. and Chan, K. H. S. (2006). Effects of Schistocephalus solidus (Pseudophyllidea, Cestoda) and Bunodera spp. (Alloreadiidae, Trematoda) on the escape fast-start performance of three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus spp. Journal of Fish Biology 69, 1345-1355.

Blake, R. W. and Chan, K. H. S. (2006). Flight speeds of seven bird species during chick rearing. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84, 1047-1052.

Blake, R. W., Inglis, S. D. and Chan, K. H. S. (2006). Growth, carcass composition and plasma growth hormone in cyclically fed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Journal of Fish Biology 69, 807-817.

Blake, R. W. and Chan, K. H. S. (2006). Cyclic diets and subsequent compensatory growth do not significantly impact standard metabolic rate or critical swimming speed in rainbow trout. Journal of Fish Biology 69, 818-827.

Ahlborn, B. A., Blake, R. W. and Megill, W. (2006). Frequency tuning and the energetics of animal locomotion. Zoology 109, 43-53.

Megill, W., Gosline, J. M. and Blake, R. W. (2005). The modulus of mesoglea microfibrils form the hydromedusa Polyorchis pencillatus. Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 3819-3834.

Blake, R. W., Chan, K. H. S. and Kwok, E. W. Y. (2005). Finlets and steady swimming in Thunnus albacares. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 1434-1445.

Blake, R. W., Law, T. C., Chan, K. H. S. and Li, J. F. Z. (2005). Comparison of the prolonged swimming performances of closely related, morphologically distinct three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus spp. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 834-848.

Elliot, K. H., Hewlett, M., Kasier, G. W. and Blake, R. W. (2004). Flight energetics of the Marbled Murrelet Brochyrampus marmoratus. Canadian Journal of Zoology 82, 644-652.

Blake, R. W. (2004). Fish functional design and swimming performance. Journal of Fish Biology 65, 1193-1222.

Ahlborn, B. and Blake, R. W. (2002). Walking and running at resonance. Zoology 105, 165-174.

Ahlborn, B. and Blake, R. W. (2001). Why birds can not be smaller than bees. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79, 7024-7026.

Blake, R. W. (2000). Intermittent swimming in aquatic vertebrates. In Biomechanics in behaviour (eds. P. D. Domenici and R. W. Blake), pp. 79-102. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publisher.

Domenici, P. D. and Blake, R. W. (2000). Biomechanics in behaviour. In Biomechanics in behaviour (eds. P. D. Domenici and R. W. Blake), pp. 1-17. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publisher.

Stelle, L. L., Blake, R. W. and Trites, A. (2000). Hydrodynamics of swimming in steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 203, 1915-1923.

Domenici, P. D. and Blake, R. W. (2000). Biomechanics in behaviour. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publisher.

Ahlborn, B. and Blake, R. W. (1999). Warm blooded animals, how small can they get? American Journal of Physics 67, 1-3.

Ahlborn, B., Jacob, S. and Blake, R. W. (1998). The hemoglobin connection. In Adsorption in porous solids (ed. R. Stuart), pp. 171-179. Verlag: VDI.

Ahlborn, B., Stafford, R., Blake, R. W. and Harper, D. G. (1997). Thrust phases and momentum reversal during fast-starts of fish. Journal of Experimental Biology 200, 2391-2412.

de la Cueva, H. and Blake, R. W. (1997). Flight speeds, foraging efficiency and daily energy budget of the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Canadian Journal of Zoology 75, 1176-1183.

Domenici, P. D. and Blake, R. W. (1997). The kinematics and performance of fish fast-start swimming. Journal of Experimental Biology 200, 1165-1178.

Law, T. C. and Blake, R. W. (1996). Comparison of the fast-start performance of closely related morphologically distinct threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp.). Journal of Experimental Biology 199, 2595-2604.

de la Cueva, H., Fenton, M. B., Hickey, B. C. and Blake, R. W. (1995). Energetic consequences of flight speeds of foraging red and hoary bats (Lasiurus borealis and Lasiurus cinereus; Chioptera: Vespertilionidae). Journal of Experimental Biology 198, 2245-2251.

Frith, H. R. and Blake, R. W. (1995). The mechanical power output and hydrodynamic efficiency of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) fast-starts. Journal of Experimental Biology 198, 1863-1973.

Blake, R. W., Chatters, L. M. and Domenici, P. (1995). Turning radius of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in unsteady manoeuvres. Journal of Fish Biology 46, 536-538.

Blake, R. W. (1995). Review of Mechanics and Physiology of Animal Swimming. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 191, 131-132.

Law, T. C. and Blake, R. W. (1994). Swimming behaviour and speed of wild Dall's porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli. Marine Mammal Research 10, 208-213.

Domenici, P. and Blake, R. W. (1993). The effect of size on the kinematics and performance of angelfish (Pterophyllum eimekei) escape responses. Canadian Journal of Zoology 71, 2319-2326.

Domenici, P. and Blake, R. W. (1993). Escape trajectories in angelfish, Pterophyllum eimekei. Journal of Experimental Biology 177, 253-272.

Kasapi, M. A., Domenici, P., Blake, R. W. and Harper, D. G. (1993). The kinematics and performance of knifefish, Xenomystis nigri, escape responses. Canadian Journal of Zoology 71, 189-195.

de la Cueva, H. and Blake, R. W. (1992). Ground effect in flapping flight. Contemporary Mathematics 157, 135-174.

Kshatriya, M. and Blake, R. W. (1992). Optimum bird flock size in formation flight. Journal of Theoretical Biology 157, 135-175.

Frith, H. R. and Blake, R. W. (1991). Mechanics of the startle response in the Northern Pike, Esox lucius. Canadian Journal of Zoology 69, 2931-2839.

Lovvorn, J. R., Jones, D. R. and Blake, R. W. (1991). Mechanics of underwater locomotion in diving ducks: drag, buoyancy and acceleration in a size gradient of species. Journal of Experimental Biology 159, 89-108.

Ahlborn, B., Harper, D. G., Ahlborn, D. and Blake, R. W. (1991). Fish without footprints. Journal of Theoretical Biology 148, 521-533.

Covell, J. C., Smith, M. D., Harper, D. G. and Blake, R. W. (1991). Skeletal muscle deformation in the lateral muscle of the intact rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during fast-start manoeuvres. Journal of Experimental Biology 156, 187-205.

Powlik, J. J., St. John, M. A. and Blake, R. W. (1991). A retrospective of plankton pumping systems with notes on the comparative efficiency of towed nets. Journal of Plankton Research 13, 901-912.

Harper, D. G. and Blake, R. W. (1991). Prey capture and the fast-start performance of northern pike, Esox lucius. Journal of Experimental Biology 155, 175-192.

Blake, R. W. (1991). On the efficiency of energy transformations in cells and animals. In Efficiency and Economy in Animal Physiology (ed. R. W. Blake), pp. 13-32. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Blake, R. W. (1991). Efficiency and economy in animal physiology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Quinton, J. C. and Blake, R. W. (1990). The effect of cycle period, ration level and cycling on the compensatory growth response in rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Journal of Fish Biology 37, 33-41.

Harper, D. G. and Blake, R. W. (1990). Fast-start performance of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri and northern pike Esox lucius during escapes. Journal of Experimental Biology 150, 321-342.

Lighthill, J. and Blake, R. W. (1990). Biofluid dynamics of balistiform and gymnotiform locomotion. I. Biological background and analysis by elongated-body theory. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 212, 183-207.

Domenici, P. and Blake, R. W. (1990). The kinematics and performance of the escape response in angelfish Pterophyllum eimekei. Journal of Experimental Biology 150, 321-342.

Blake, R. W., Kolotylo, R. and de la Cueva, H. (1990). Flight speeds of the bard swallow Hirundo rustica. Canadian Journal of Zoology 68, 1-5.

McDonnell, A. J. and Blake, R. W. (1990). Rheotaxis in Octocinclus sp. (Teleostei: Loricariidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology 68, 599-601.

Stephenson, R., Lovvorn, J. R., Heisis, M. A. R., Jones, D. R. and Blake, R. W. (1989). A hydromechanical estimate of the power requirements of surface and subsurface locomotion in diving ducks (Aythya affinis). Journal of Experimental Biology 147, 507-519.

Harper, D. G. and Blake, R. W. (1989). Study of the error involved in high-speed film when used to evaluate maximum acceleration of fish. Canadian Journal of Zoology 67, 1929-1936.

Harper, D. G. and Blake, R. W. (1989). A critical analysis of the use of high-speed film to determine maximum accelerations of fish. Journal of Experimental Biology 142, 465-471.

Blake, R. W. and Smith, M. D. (1989). On penguin porpoising. Canadian Journal of Zoology 66, 2093-2094.

Gal, J. and Blake, R. W. (1988). Biomechanics of frog swimming. I: Estimation of the propulsive forces generated by Hymenochirus boettgeri. Journal of Experimental Biology 138, 399-411.

Gal, J. and Blake, R. W. (1988). Biomechanics of frog swimming. II: Mechanics of the limb-beat cycle in Hymenochirus boettgeri. Journal of Experimental Biology 138, 413-429.

Harper, D. G. and Blake, R. W. (1988). Energetics of piscivorous predator-prey interactions. Journal of Experimental Biology 134, 59-76.

Kshatriya, M. and Blake, R. W. (1988). A theoretical model of migration energetics in the blue whale Balaenoptera musculus. Journal of Theoretical Biology 133, 479-498.

Kshatriya, M. and Blake, R. W. (1988). Blue whale migration energetics. Cetus 7, 30.

Gal, J. and Blake, R. W. (1987). Hydrodynamic drag of two species of frogs, Hymenochirus boettgeri and Rana pipiens. Canadian Journal of Zoology 65, 1085-1090.

Blake, R. W. (1986). Hydrodynamics of swimming in the water boatman, Cenorcorixa bifida. Canadian Journal of Zoology 64, 1606-1613.

Blake, R. W. (1985). Crab carapace hydrodynamics. Journal of Zoology 207, 407-423.

Blake, R. W. (1985). A model of the foraging efficiency and daily energy budget in the Black Skimmer (Rhynchops nigra). Canadian Journal of Zoology 63, 42-48.

Webb, P. W. and Blake, R. W. (1985). Swimming. In Functional Vertebrate Morphology (eds. Hildebrand, M., Bramble, D. M., Liem, K. and Wake, D. B.), pp. 110-128. Harvard University Press.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Functional design and burst-and-coast swimming in fishes. Canadian Journal of Zoology 61, 2491-2494.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Hovering performance of a negatively buoyant fish. Canadian Journal of Zoology 61, 2692-2630.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Mechanics of gliding in birds with special reference to the influence of the ground effect. Journal of Biomechanics 16, 649-658.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Swimming in the electric eels and knifefishes. Canadian Journal of Zoology 61, 1432-1441.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Energetics of leaping in dolphins and other aquatic animals. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 63, 61-70.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Median and paired fin propulsion. In Fish Biomechanics (eds. Webb, P. W. and Weihs, D.), pp. 214-247. Praeger Press.

Blake, R. W. (1983). Fish Locomotion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Blake, R. W. (1981). Pseudomacrostomism in coral reef fish. Canadian Journal of Zoology 59, 1183-1185.

Blake, R. W. (1981). Mechanics of drag-based mechanisms of propulsion in aquatic vertebrates. Symposium of the Zoological Symposium of London 48, 29-52.

Blake, R. W. (1981). Mechanics of ostraciiform propulsion. Canadian Journal of Zoology 59, 1067-1071.

Blake, R. W. (1981). Influence of pectoral fin shape on thrust and drag in labriform locomotion. Journal of Zoology 194, 53-66.

Blake, R. W. (1980). Undulatory median fin propulsion of two species of teleosts with different modes of life. Canadian Journal of Zoology 58, 2116-2119.

Blake, R. W. (1980). The mechanics of labriform locomotion. II: An analysis of the recovery stroke and overall fin-beat efficiency in the Angelfish. Journal of Experimental Biology 82, 337-342.

Blake, R. W. (1979). The mechanics of labriform locomotion. I: Labriform locomotion in the Angelfish (Pterophyllum eimekei): an analysis of the power stroke. Journal of Experimental Biology 82, 255-271.

Blake, R. W. (1979). The energetics of hovering in the mandarin fish (Synchropus picturatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 82, 25-33.

Blake, R. W. (1979). The swimming of the mandarin fish (Synchropus pictuatus, Callionyiidae: Teleostei). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 59, 421-428.

Blake, R. W. (1979). Exploitation of a natural population of Arenicola marina L. form the North-East coast of England. Journal of Applied Ecology 16, 663-670.

Blake, R. W. (1979). On the exploitation of a natural population of Nereis virens Sars from the North-East coast of England. Journal of the Marine and Estuarine Science 8, 141-148.

Blake, R. W. (1979). The morphometric of development of the brine shrimp (Artemia salina L.). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 65, 255-260.

Blake, R. W. (1978). On balistiform locomotion. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 57, 73-80.

Blake, R. W. (1977). On ostraciiform locomotion. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 57, 147-155.

Blake, R. W. (1977). Brachiopod "nests" from the Marlstone Rock-bed (Jurassic) of Warwickshire. Mercian Geologist 6, 97-102.

Blake, R. W. (1976). On seahorse locomotion. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 56, 939-949.