Ontogeny of feeding behavior and cranial morphology in the whitespotted bambooshark <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chiloscyllium plagiosum</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Dayv Lowry Philip J Motta |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of South Florida, SCA 110, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5200, USA;(2) Present address: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Point Whitney Shellfish Laboratory, 1000 Point Whitney Road, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA |
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Abstract: | Morphological and behavioral development of the feeding apparatus over early ontogeny can profoundly affect the ability of
an organism to obtain nourishment, ultimately impacting survival. The interplay between morphology and behavior over the first
year of life was studied in the whitespotted bambooshark Chiloscyllium plagiosum (Bennett 1830) beginning in March of 2002 using high-speed videography and dissection. Externally measured variables describing
cranial growth, and jaw weight, scaled at or near isometry while jaw and hyoid musculature, especially the coracohyoideus,
demonstrated considerable hypertrophication. The difference between the volume of the buccal cavity when open and closed scaled
with substantial positive allometry while the time to reach maximum jaw and hyoid abduction exhibited weak allometry, resulting
in the capacity for more rapid and greater volumetric intake during feeding. In addition, the relative forward motion of the
predator during a strike decreased over ontogeny and the feeding modality became more suction-dominated. Kinematic variables
exhibited little variability and the primary aspect of food capture that was modulated in response to food type was the forward
motion of the predator. An increase in capture success was noted for live, elusive shrimp over ontogeny indicating that morphological
and behavioral changes have direct consequences for prey acquisition. Conservation of head shape coupled with a narrow behavioral
repertoire is hypothesized to increase prey capture success in the wild over ontogeny as individuals become more proficient
in the execution of a single, low-variability, suction-dominated capture behavior. |
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