David Jensen

Complex Adaptive Engineered Systems Research Lab

Reprogram 11

Path followed:

1.   Are there any external resources that can be used by the mechanism?

Answer: No

2.   Are physical changes possible to the mechanism?

Answer: Yes

3.   Can other parts of the mechanism be used to minimize the effects of the fault?

Answer: Yes

4.   Is the fault due to changes in the environment?

Answer: Yes

5.   Can the surrounding environment be changed to adapt to the fault?

Answer: Yes

11) Red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Red drum fish can be found in the Atlantic Ocean on the coasts of Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico (“Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus)”). Red drum fish are anadromous species which means that they travel from salt water to fresh water in order to spawn (Wurts, W. A.). These creatures are able to travel from extremely high salt concentrations to low concentration levels by slow movement through the water and adaptation. In order for the fish to survive such extreme changes they must allow the kidney to adjust and better regulate osmoregulation. Osmoregulation maintains the internal ionic concentrations relative to the external environment (Wurts, W. A.). The kidneys are able to decrease the amount of liquid given off in the salt water environment but facilitate the release of excess salt to help the fish survive. When the red drum swims into fresher water the kidneys start to release more
liquid and retain the available salt concentrations (Wurts, W. A.). If red drum fish could not adapt then it would die of dehydration or too much water.

“Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus).” Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus). Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2014. Web. Retrieved March 22, 2015, from

http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/reddrum/.

Wurts, W. A. “An Evaluation of Specific Ionic and Growth Parameters Affecting the Feasibility of Commercially Producing Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus).” Diss. Texas A&M U, 1987. OSMOREGULATION, RED DRUM, AND EURYHALINE FISH: ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY. University of Kentucky, 1987. Web. Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www2.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/reddrumphysiology.htm.