How Sea Butterflies "Fly" in Water

The video explores the unique movement of Limacina helicina, an Arctic sea butterfly that appears to fly through water using tiny wings. This movement is compared to the flight of hummingbirds and fruit flies, explained through the concept of Reynolds Number in fluid dynamics. The sea butterfly's feeding behavior involves deploying a mucus web to capture plankton, and its buoyancy is affected when disturbed. The video highlights convergent evolution, where sea butterflies and fruit flies have developed similar flight mechanisms despite different environments. It concludes with a promotion for a PBS miniseries showcasing animal behavior filmed by robotic devices.

What unique movement do sea butterflies exhibit in water?

• They swim like fish.

• They fly using tiny wings.

• They crawl on the ocean floor.

• They float passively.

What does the Reynolds Number help predict?

• The taste of a fluid

• The color of a fluid

• The temperature of a fluid

• The behavior of a fluid

Why do sea butterflies need to fly instead of swim?

• To find mates

• To migrate long distances

• To return to feeding areas

• To escape predators

What is an example of convergent evolution mentioned in the video?

• Sea butterflies and dolphins

• Sea butterflies and fruit flies

• Sea butterflies and sharks

• Sea butterflies and jellyfish

What is the PBS miniseries mentioned in the video about?

• Animal behavior filmed by robots

• The migration of birds

• The life of sea butterflies

• The evolution of fish