None of the experiments were faster, prettier, or more common than the so-called longtails­—those ­low-drag, tapered-tail streamliners ... It boasted a long, tapered body and a drag ...

Yet these behemoths’ most puzzling feature is a whip-like tail that can measure as long as the rest of the fish’s body. Why mantas and related rays have such long tails has long been a mystery.

Pterosaur tail vanes featured a tensioning system for stable flight Study reveals dual-purpose tails aided in flight and mate displays Fossil analysis shows intricate structures enhancing tail ...