Sam Van Wassenbergh TT. asst. research professor

Sam Van Wassenbergh

Publications - updated 14/10/2024

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in press

  • Fournier, M., Olson, R. Van Wassenbergh, S. & Provini, P. (in press). The avian vocal system: 3D reconstruction reveals upper vocal tract elongation during head motion. J. Exp. Biol. link to publication (html).​

2024

2023

2022

  • Sanctorum, J. G., Van Der Jeught, S., Van Wassenbergh, S., Dirckx, J.J.J. (2022). Assessment of perceptual quality measures for multi-exposure radiography and tomography. Proc. of SPIE Vol. 12304, 123042K. full text (PDF), Link to publication (html)​
  • Mielke, M., Van Wassenbergh, S. (2022). Three-dimensional movement of the beak during seed processing in domestic canaries. J. Exp. Biol. 225, jeb244360. full text (PDF) journal issue cover (PDF)​
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Ortlieb, E. J., Mielke, M., Böhmer, C., Shadwick, R.E., Abourachid, A. (2022). Woodpeckers minimize cranial absorption of shocks. Current Biology 32, 3189–3194. full text (PDF) Supplementary information (pdf) journal issue cover (pdf)​
  • Van Gorp, M., Goyens, J., Alfaro, M.E., Van Wassenbergh, S. (2022) Keels of boxfish carapaces strongly improve stabilisation against roll. J. R. Soc. Interface 19, 20210942. full text (PDF), Link to publication (html)​
  • Provini, P., Brunet, A., Filippo, A. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2022) In vivo intraoral waterflow quantification reveals hidden mechanisms of suction feeding in fish. eLife 11, e73621. full text (PDF),  Link to publication (html)​
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Andries, T., Pauly, E. & Abourachid, A. (2022). Cranial kinesis facilitates quick retraction of stuck woodpecker beaks. J. Exp. Biol.225, jeb243787. full text (PDF), Inside JEB coverage (PDF)​

2021

  • Sanctorum, J.G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Nguyen, V., De Beenhouwer, J., Sijbers, J. & Dirckx, J.J.J (2021). Extended imaging volume in cone-beam x-ray tomography using the weighted simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique. Phys. Med. Biol. 66, 165008.full text (PDF)​
  • Debaere S.F., Donihue, C.M., Herrel, A. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2021) An aerodynamic perspective on hurricane-induced selection on Anolis lizards. Funct. Ecol. 35, 2026-2032. full text (PDF)​​
  • Olivier, D., Van Wassenbergh, S., Parmentier, E., Frédérich, B. (2021). Unprecedented biting performance in herbivorous fish:how the complex biting system of Pomacentridae circumvents performance trade-offs. Am. Nat. 197, E156–E172. full text (PDF)​
  • Nguyen, V., Sanctorum, J.G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Dirckx, J.J.J., Sijbers, J. & De Beenhouwer, J. (2021). Geometry calibration of a modular stereo cone-beam X-ray CT system. J. Imaging. 7, 54. full text (PDF) Link to publication (html)​
  • Sanctorum, J. G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Nguyen, V., De Beenhouwer, J., Sijbers, J. & Dirckx J.J.J. (2021) Projection-angle-dependent distortion correction in high-speed image-intensifier-based x-ray computed tomography. Meas. Sci. Technol.32, 035404. full text (PDF)​
  • Rajabizadeh, M., Van Wassenbergh, S., Mallet, C., Rücklin, M. & Herrel, A. (2021). Tooth shape adaptations in aglyphous colubrid snakes inferred from 3d geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis. Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 191, 454–467. full text (PDF)​​

2020​​

  • Steendam, C., Verhelst, P., Van Wassenbergh, S. & De Meyer, J. (2020). Burrowing behaviour of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla): effects of life stage. J. Fish Biol. 97, 1332–1342. full text (PDF)
  • Mielke, M., Aerts, P., Van Ginneken, C., Van Wassenbergh, S., Mielke, F. (2020) Progressive Tracking: a novel procedure to facilitate manual digitization of videos. Biology Open. 9, bio055962. full text (PDF)
  • Ashraf, I., Van Wassenbergh, S., Verma, S. (2020) Burst-and-coast swimming is not always energetically beneficial in fish (Hemigrammus bleheri). Bioinspir. Biomim. 16, 016002. full text (PDF)
  • Nguyen, V., De Beenhouwer, J., Sanctorum, J.G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Bazrafkan, S., Dirckx, J.J.J. & Sijbers, J. (2020). A low-cost geometry calibration procedure for a modular cone-beam X-ray CT system. Nondestruct. Test. Evaluation. 35, 252-265. full text (PDF)
  • Nguyen, V., De Beenhouwer, J., Bazrafkan, S., Hoang, A.-T., Van Wassenbergh, S. & Sijbers, J. (2020). BeadNet: a network for automated spherical markerdetection in radiographs for geometry calibration. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Image Formation in X-Ray Computed Tomography, 518-521. full text (PDF)​
  • Boute, P. G., Van Wassenbergh, S. & Stamhuis, E.J. (2020) Modulating yaw with an unstable rigid body and a course-stabilizing or steering caudal fin in the yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus). R. Soc. Open Sci. 7: 200129. full text (PDF) journal issue cover (PDF)
  • Sanctorum, J. G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Aerts, P. & Dirckx, J. (2020) Technical note: Correction of geometric X-ray image intensifier distortion based on digital image correlation. Med. Phys. 47, 597-603. full text (PDF)

2019

  • Sanctorum, J.G., Adriaens, D., Dirckx, J.J.J., Sijbers, J., Van Ginneken, C., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh S. (2019). Methods for characterization and optimisation of measuring performance of stereoscopic x-ray systems with image intensifiers. Meas. Sci. Technol. 30, 105701. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. & Beakens, S. (2019) Digest: Evolution of shape and leverage of bird beaks reflects feeding ecology, but not as strong as expected. Evolution 73, 621-622. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. (2019) Transitions from water to land: terrestrial feeding in fishes. In: Bels V., Whishaw I. (eds) Feeding in Vertebrates. Fascinating Life Sciences. Springer, Cham, pp. 139-158. link to publication (html)
  • Nguyen, V., De Beenhouwer, J., Sanctorum, J.G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Aerts, P., Van Ginneken, C., Dirckx, J. J. J., Sijbers, J. (2019) A low-cost and easy-to-use phantom for cone-beam geometry calibration of a tomographic X-ray system.  Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Industrial Computed Tomography. full text (PDF)

2018

  • Thompson, M., Van Wassenbergh, S., Rogers, S.M., Seamone, S.G. & Higam, T.E. (2018). Angling-induced injuries have a negative impact on suction feeding performance and hydrodynamics in marine shiner perch, Cymatogaster aggregata. J. Exp. Biol. 221: jeb180935. full text (PDF)
  • Provini, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2018). Hydrodynamic performance of suction feeding is virtually unaffected by variation in the shape of the posterior region of the pharynx in fish. R. Soc. Open Sci. 5: 181249. full text (PDF)
  • De Meyer, J., Goethals, T., Van Wassenbergh, S., Augustijns, T., Habraken, J., Hellemans, J., Vandewiele, V., Dhaene, J., Bouillart, M. & Adriaens, D. (2018) Dimorphism throughout the European eel’s life cycle: Are ontogenetic changes in head shape related to dietary differences? J. Anat. 233, 289-301.  full text (PDF)
  • Heiss, E., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2018) Aquatic-terrestrial transitions of the feeding system in vertebrates: a mechanical perspective. J. Exp. Biol. 221, jeb154427. full text (PDF)
  • De Meyer, J., Van Wassenbergh, S., Bouilliart, M., Dhaene, J. & Adriaens, D. (2018) Built to bite? Differences in cranial morphology and bite performance between narrow- and broad-headed European glass eels. J. Morphol. 279, 349-360. full text (PDF)

2017

  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Heindryckx, S. & Adriaens, D. (2017) Kinematics of chisel-tooth digging by African mole-rats. J. Exp. Biol. 220, 4479-4485. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Bonte, C. & Michel, K. (2017) Terrestrial capture of prey by the reedfish, a model species for stem tetrapods. Ecol. Evol. 7: 3856–3860. full text (PDF).
  • Heiss, E., Handschuh, S., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2017). A tongue for all seasons: extreme phenotypic flexibility in salamandrid newts. Sci. Rep. 7, 1006. full text (PDF).
  • Parmentier, E., Raick, X., Lecchini, D., Boyle, K.S., Van Wassenbergh, S., Bertucci, F. & Kever, L. (2017). Unusual sound production mechanism in the triggerfish Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Balistidae). J. Exp. Biol. 220, 186-193. full text (PDF)

2016

  • Michel, K.B., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2016) Environment-dependent prey capture in the Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus). Biology Open 5, 1735-1742. full text (PDF)Supplementary Videos (PDF)
  • McHenry, M.J., Anderson, P.S.L., Van Wassenbergh, S., Matthews, D.G., Summers, A.P. & Patek, S.N. (2016). The comparative hydrodynamics of rapid rotation by predatory appendages. J. Exp. Biol. 219, 3399-3411. full text (PDF)Supplementary information (PDF)Inside JEB coverage (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. & Heiss, E. (2016) Phenotypic flexibility of gape anatomy fine-tunes the aquatic prey-capture system of newts. Sci. Rep. 6, 29277. full text (PDF), Supplementary Video
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Joris, I., Desclée, M., Liew, H. J., De Boeck, G., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2016) Kinematics of mouthbrooding in Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae). J. Exp. Biol. 219, 1535-1541. full text (PDF)Inside JEB coverage (PDF)
  • Heiss, E., Handschuh, S., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2016). Musculoskeletal architecture of the prey capture apparatus in salamandrid newts with multiphasic lifestyle: does anatomy change during the seasonal habitat switches? J. Anat. 228, 757-770. full text (PDF)

2015

  • Michel, K., Aerts, P., Gibb, A.C. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2015). Functional morphology and kinematics of terrestrial feeding in the largescale foureyes (Anableps anableps). J. Exp. Biol. 218: 2951-2960. full text (PDF)Inside JEB coverage (PDF)Nature research highlights (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Potez, N.Z., Adriaens, D. (2015). Hydrodynamic drag constrains head enlargement for mouthbrooding in cichlids. J. R. Soc. Interface 12: 20150461. full text (PDF)Supplementary Figure (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. (2015). A solution strategy to include the opening of the opercular slits in moving-mesh CFD models of suction feeding. Integr. Comp. Biol. 55: 62-73. full text (PDF) Supplementary videos (1.mpg) (2.mpg) (3.mpg) (legend.doc)
  • Day, S.W., Higham, T.E., Holzman, R., Van Wassenbergh, S. (2015). Morphology, kinematics, and dynamics: The mechanics of suction feeding in fishes. Integr. Comp. Biol. 55: 21-35.  full text (PDF)
  • Goyens, J., Van Wassenbergh, S., Dirckx, J., Aerts, P. (2015) Cost of flight and the evolution of stag beetle weaponry. J. R. Soc. Interface. 12: 20150222. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Day, S. W., Hernández, P.L., Higham, T. E., Skorczewski, T. (2015). Suction power output and the inertial cost of rotating the neurocranium to generate suction in fish. J. Theor. Biol. 372, 159-167. full text (PDF)
  • Michel, K.B., Heiss, E., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2015). A fish that uses its hydrodynamic tongue to feed on land. Proc. R. Soc. B. 282: 20150057. full text (PDF)supplementary videos
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., van Manen, K., Marcroft, T.A., Alfaro, M. E., Stamhuis, E. J. (2015). Boxfish swimming paradox resolved: forces by the flow of water around the body promote manoeuvrability. J. R. Soc. Interface 12: 20141146. full text (PDF)journal issue cover (PDF)Nature News and Views (PDF)Outside JEB coverage (PDF).
  • Heiss, E., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2015) Flexibility is everything: prey capture throughout the seasonal habitat switches in the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris. Org. Divers. Evol. 15:127–142. full text (PDF)

2014

  • Bertucci, F., Ruppé, L, Van Wassenbergh, S., Compère, P., Parmentier, E. (2014). New insights into the role of the pharyngeal jaw apparatus in the sound-producing mechanism of Haemulon flavolineatum (Haemulidae). J. Exp. Biol. 217, 3862-3869. full text (PDF)Inside JEB coverage (PDF) Nature research highlights (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Dries, B. & Herrel, A. (2014) New insights into muscle function during pivot feeding in seahorses. PLoS ONE 9(10): e109068. full text (PDF)
  • Michel, K., Adriaens, D., Aerts, P., Dierick, M. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2014). Functional anatomy and kinematics of the oral jaw system during terrestrial feeding in Periophthalmus barbarus. J. Morphol. 275, 1145-1160. full text (PDF) cover image (PDF)

2013

  • Heiss, E., Aerts, P. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2013). Masters of change: seasonal plasticity in the prey-capture behavior of the Alpine newt Ichthyosaura alpestris (Salamandridae). J. Exp. Biol. 216, 4426-4434. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. & Aerts, P. (2013). In search of the pitching momentum that enables some lizards to sustain bipedal running at constant speeds. J. R. Soc. Interface. 10, 20130241. full text (PDF)
  • Heiss, E., Natchev, N., Gumpenberger, M., Weissenbacher, A. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2013). Biomechanics and hydrodynamics of prey capture in the Chinese giant salamander reveal a high-performance jaw-powered suction mechanism. J. R. Soc. Interface 10, 20121028. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Leysen, H., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2013) Mechanics of snout expansion in suction feeding seahorses: musculoskeletal force transmission. J. Exp. Biol. 216, 407-417. full text (PDF)  cover image(jpg)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. (2013). Kinematics of terrestrial capture of prey by the eel-catfish Channallabes apus.  Integr. Comp. Biol. 53, 258–268. full text (PDF)

2012

  • Herrel, A., Van Wassenbergh, S. & Aerts, P. (June 2012) Biomechanical studies of food and diet selection. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd: Chichester.  full text (PDF)

2011

  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Roos, G., Aerts, P., Herrel, A. & Adriaens, D. (2011) Why the long face? A comparative study of feeding kinematics of two pipefish with different snout lengths.  J. Fish Biol. 78, 1786-1798 full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Roos, G. & Ferry, L. (2011) An adaptive explanation for the horse-like shape of seahorses. Nature Communications 2, 164. full text (PDF  Supplementary Information  Nature Video (YouTube)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. & De Rechter, D. (2011) Piscivorous cyprinid fish modulates suction feeding kinematics to capture elusive prey. Zoology 114, 46-52. full text (PDF)
  • Roos, G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Aerts, P., Herrel, A. & Adriaens, D. (2011) Effects of snout dimensions on the hydrodynamics of suction feeding in juvenile and adult seahorses. J. Theor. Biol. 269, 307-317. full text (PDF)

2010

  • Roos, G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2010). Snout allometry in seahorses: insights on optimisation of pivot feeding performance during ontogeny J. Exp. Biol. 213, 2184-2193. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Brecko, J., Aerts, P., Stouten, I., Vanheusden, G., Camps, A., Van Damme, R., & Herrel, A. (2010). Hydrodynamic constraints on prey-capture performance in forward-striking snakes. J. R. Soc. Interface 7, 773-785  full text (PDF)

2009

  • Roos, G., Van Wassenbergh, S., Herrel, A. & Aerts, P. (2009). Kinematics of suction feeding in the seahorse Hippocampus reidi.J. Exp. Biol. 212, 3490-3498.full text (PDF)
  • Longrie, N., Van Wassenbergh, S., Vandewalle, P., Maguit, Q. & Parmentier, E. (2009). Potential mechanism of sound production in Oreochromis niloticus (Chichlidae). J. Exp. Biol. 212, 3395-3402. full text (PDF)
  • Van Gossum, H., Bots, J., Snijkers, T., Meyer, J., Van Wassenbergh, S., De Coen, W. & De Bruyn, L. (2009). Behaviour of damselfly larvae (Enallagma cyathigerum) (Insecta, Odonata) after long-term exposure to PFOS. Environ. Pollut. 157, 1332-1336.  full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Roos G., Genbrugge A., Leysen H., Aerts P., Adriaens D. & Herrel, A. (2009). Suction is kids play: extremely fast suction in newborn seahorses. Biology Letters 5, 200-203. full text (PDF)  supplementary material: details of methods (PDF), supplemental figure (JPG), video adult Hippocampus (MOV - 2 MB), video newborn Hippocampus (MOV - 0.5 MB).
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. & Aerts, P. (2009) Aquatic suction feeding dynamics: insights from computational modelling. J. R. Soc. Interface. 6, 149-158. full text (PDF)  methods (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Lieben, T., Herrel, A., Huysentruyt, F., Geerinckx, T., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2009) Kinematics of benthic suction feeding in Callichthyidae and Mochokidae, with functional implications for the evolution of food scraping in catfishes. J. Exp. Biol. 212, 116-125. full text (PDF)
  • Roos, G., Leysen, H., Van Wassenbergh, S., Herrel, A., Jacobs, P., Dierick, M., Aerts, P. & Adriaens, D. (2009) Linking morphology and motion: a test of a four-bar mechanism in seahorses Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 82, 7-19. full text (PDF)

2008

  • Van Wassenbergh, S. & P. Aerts (2008) Rapid pivot feeding in pipefish: flow effects on prey and evaluation of simple dynamic modelling via computational fluid dynamics. J. R. Soc. Interface. 5: 1291-1301. full text (PDF)
  • Herrel, A., Vincent, S.E., Alfaro, M.E., Van Wassenbergh, S., Vanhooydonck, B.& D.J. Irschick (2008) Morphological convergence as a consequence of extreme functional demands: examples from the feeding system of natricine snakes. J. Evol. Biol. 21: 1438-1448. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Strother, J. A., Flammang, B. E., Ferry-Graham, L. A. & Aerts, P. (2008) Extremely fast prey capture in pipefish is powered by elastic recoil. J. R. Soc. Interface 5, 285-296. full text (PDF)
  • De Schepper N., Van Wassenbergh S. & D. Adriaens (2008) Morphology of the jaw system in trichiurids: trade-offs between mouth closing and biting performance. Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 152, 717-736. full text (PDF)

2007

  • Wyckmans, M., Van Wassenbergh, S. Adriaens, D., Van Damme, R. & Herrel, A. (2007) Size-related changes in cranial morphology affect diet in the catfish Clariallabes longicauda. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 92: 323-334. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., James, R.S. & Aerts, P. (2007) Scaling of contractile properties of catfish feeding muscles. J. Exp. Biol. 210: 1183-1193. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2007) No trade-off between biting and suction feeding performance in clariid catfishes. J. Exp. Biol. 210: 27-36. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2007) Interspecific variation in sternohyoideus muscle morphology in clariid catfishes: functional implications for suction feeding. J. Morphol. 268: 232-242. full text (PDF) supplementary material

2006

  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., Adriaens, D., Huysentruyt, F., Devaere, S. & Aerts, P. (2006) A catfish that can strike its prey on land. Nature 440: 881. full text (PDF)  supplementary material
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2006) Modulation and variability of prey capture kinematics in clariid catfishes J. Exp. Zool. 305A: 559-569. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Aerts, P. & Herrel, A. (2006) Hydrodynamic modeling of aquatic suction performance and intra-oral pressures: limitations for comparative studies. J. R. Soc. Interface 3: 507-514. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Aerts P. & Herrel, A. (2006) Scaling of suction feeding performance in the catfish Clarias gariepinus. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 79: 43-56.  full text (PDF)

2005

  • Herrel, A., Van Wassenbergh, S., Wouters, S., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2005). A functional morphological approach to the scaling of the feeding system in the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. J. Exp. Biol 208, 2091-2102. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S., Aerts, P. & Herrel, A. (2005). Scaling of suction-feeding kinematics and dynamics in the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. J. Exp. Biol. 208, 2103-2114. full text (PDF)  cover image(gif)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2005) A test of mouth-opening and hyoid-depression mechanisms during prey capture in a catfish. J. Exp. Biol. 208, 4627-4639. full text (PDF)
  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Aerts, P., Adriaens, D., & Herrel, A. (2005) A dynamical model of mouth closing movements in clariid catfishes: the role of enlarged jaw adductors. J. Theor. Biol. 234: 49-65. full text (PDF)

2004

  • Van Wassenbergh, S. , Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. & Aerts, P. (2004) Effects of jaw adductor hypertrophy on buccal expansions during feeding of airbreathing catfishes (Teleostei, Clariidae). Zoomorphology 123: 81-93. full text (PDF)