| Summary: | The pectoral fins of actinopterygian fish have long been studied as propulsive structures with little attention to the mechanosensory physiology of these limbs. This work investigates how proprioceptive feedback from the fin rays contributes to the function of these locomotor appendages through a series of electrophysiological, neuroanatomical, and behavioral studies. From our electrophysiological studies we find that pectoral fin afferents convey information regarding the movement and posture of the fin rays. Subsequent investigations of the pectoral fin neuroanatomy indicate a functional organization of afferents within the fin rays and identify potential mechanoreceptors within the fin rays and fin membrane. Behavioral experiments show that the loss of proprioceptive feedback supplied by these afferents affects the frequency, posture and coordination of pectoral fin movements during swimming. The work presented in this dissertation shows that proprioceptive feedback contributes significantly to the control of the pectoral fins. These findings underscore that the fins of fish are complex neuromechanical systems, and that the roles of somatosensation should be included in our understanding of actinopterygian swimming behavior.
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