Booth Id:
ANIM058
Category:
Animal Sciences
Year:
2021
Finalist Names:
Vaserman, Ellie (School: Staten Island Technical High School)
Abstract:
Orthoceras is an extinct genus of Nautiloids, characterized by a straight, conical shell.
These inhabited seas 450 million years ago, and are related to cephalopods, which are keystone
species in decline. These elusive species are hard to study as a result of the depths they inhabit,
and paleoecology can thus be an alternative to protect them from extinction. This project intends
to determine the extent to which mathematical models, fluid dynamics, and hydrostatics can be
used to determine the paleoecology of Orthoceras . It is hypothesized that Orthoceras had a
horizontal living orientation, and used water in a system of jet propulsion to move, as a result of
similarities between Orthoceras and extant Nautilus . To test the hypothesis, Pyplot was used to
create contour plots to generate a hypothetical Orthoceras . A vertically-sliced shell of Nautilus
pompilius was measured. Curves were generated for septal thickness, positioning, and chamber
size, relative to shell diameter; these were used to plot septa on the hypothetical shell, and then
find the sizes of the body, shell, and phragmocone. Center of mass and center of buoyancy
equations were created for Orthoceras , and were then used to calculate the stability index.
Volumes of water were then added to the apex of the shell, which moved up the center of mass,
eventually creating a stability index of 0 when the water volume was 470 cm^3. The increased
stability of the shell with water supported the conclusion that Orthocones used siphuncular water
in a system of jet propulsion to move.
Awards Won:
Third Award of $1,000