Abstract
The radula is the food gathering and processing structure and one important autapomorphy of the Mollusca. It is composed of a chitinous membrane with small, embedded teeth representing the interface between the organism and its ingesta. In the past, various approaches aimed at connecting the tooth shapes, which are highly distinct within single radulae due to their different functions. However, conclusions from the literature have been mainly drawn from microscopical analyses of mounted radulae, but the real interacting radular parts – even though the precise contact areas are essential for determining a tools functionality – and the 3D architecture of this complex feeding structure have not been previously determined. In the experimental approach presented here individuals of Vittina turrita (Neritidae, Gastropoda) were fed with algae paste attached to different sandpaper types. By comparison with radulae from a control group, sandpaper-induced tooth wear patterns were identified and both the area and volume loss were quantified. In addition to the exact contact area of each tooth, conclusions about the 3D position of teeth and the radular bending during feeding motion could be drawn. Furthermore, hypotheses about the specific functions of individual tooth types could be put forward. This kind of feeding experiments under controlled conditions is new for Mollusca and may provide a good basis for future studies on the radula functional morphology. It can be potentially applied to species with distinct tooth morphologies and ecological niches.
Multiband-Notched UWB Antenna Using Folded Slots in the Feeding Structure