Variation in the feeding kinematics of mole salamanders (Ambystomatidae: Ambystoma)

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Beneski Jr. ◽  
John H. Larsen Jr. ◽  
Brian T. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Mouth Opening ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Feeding Kinematics ◽  
High Speed Cinematography ◽  
Mode A ◽  
General Reduction

High-speed cinematography was used to investigate the prey-capture kinematics of six species of mole salamanders (Ambystomatidae). We compared the feeding behavior of the subgenus Ambystoma (A. californiense and A. macrodactylum) with that of the subgenus Linguaelapsus (A. mabeei, A. texanum, A. annulatum, and A. cingulatum). Prey capture by all six species is characterized by a 3-part gape cycle (a period of rapid mouth opening prior to extraoral tongue protraction, followed by a period of relatively stable gape angle during extraoral tongue protraction and retraction, followed by a period of rapid mouth closure), a tongue-extension cycle (protraction and retraction), and anterior head–body displacement. Among the six species, two distinct modes of prey capture are evident: (1) the Ambystoma mode (A. californiense, A. macrodactylum, A. mabeei, and A. texanum), and (2) the Linguaelapsus mode (A. annulatum and A. cingulatum). Most differences in prey-capture kinematics between the two modes are primarily differences of degree rather than the addition or loss of unique behaviors, and include a general reduction in the gape angles and a general increase in the elapsed times associated with specific events in the Linguaelapsus mode. We hypothesize that these differences are primarily the result of a prolonged period of tongue protraction in the Linguaelapsus mode during which the glandular tongue pad is fitted to the prey. In addition to differing from each other, the gape profiles of the ambystomatid subgenera differ markedly from the 4-part gape profiles of plethodontids and salamandrids.

Prey capture in the chain pickerel, Esox niger: correlations between feeding and locomotor behavior

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 1072-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Rand ◽  
George V. Lauder
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Mouth Opening ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Suction Velocity ◽  
Locomotor Pattern ◽  
Mechanical Unit ◽  
High Speed Cinematography ◽  
Locomotor Patterns

The predatory behavior of the chain pickerel Esox niger was studied by high-speed cinematography to correlate patterns of jaw bone movement with locomotor patterns. Pattern B strikes were initiated at significantly shorter distances from the prey, had higher acceleration rates, and the velocity of mouth opening and suspensorial abduction was greater than for pattern A strikes. No difference was found in the excursion amplitudes of jaw movements between pattern A and pattern B strikes. Significant differences were found between midwater and corner strikes in the amplitude of mouth opening and hyoid depression: both were smaller in corner attacks and suction velocity was higher. Both velocity and amplitude of each mechanical unit in the head can be varied depending on the locomotor pattern and the position of the prey.

Kinematics of Tongue Projection in Chamaeleo Oustaleti

1991 ◽  
Vol 159 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER C. WAINWRIGHT ◽  
DAVID M. KRAKLAU ◽  
ALBERT F. BENNETT
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Florida State University ◽  
State University ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Related Family ◽  
High Speed Cinematography ◽  
Tongue Movements

The kinematics of prey capture by the chamaeleonid lizard Chamaeleo oustaleti were studied using high-speed cinematography. Three feeding sequences from each of two individuals were analyzed for strike distances of 20 and 35 cm, at 30°C. Ten distances and angles were measured from sequential frames beginning approximately 0.5 s prior to tongue projection and continuing for about 1.0 s. Sixteen additional variables, documenting maximum excursions and the timing of events, were calculated from the kinematic profiles. Quantified descriptions of head, hyoid and tongue movements are presented. Previously unrecognized rapid protraction of the hyobranchial skeleton simultaneously with the onset of tongue projection was documented and it is proposed that this assists the accelerator muscle in powering tongue projection. Acceleration of the tongue occurred in about 20ms, reaching a maximum acceleration of 486 m s−2 and maximum velocity of 5.8m s−1 in 35 cm strikes. Deceleration of the tongue usually began within 5 ms before prey contract and the direction of tongue movement was reversed within 10 ms of prey contact. Retraction of the tongue, caused by shortening of the retractor muscles, reached a maximum velocity of 2.99 ms−1 and was complete 330 ms after prey contact. Projection distance influences many aspects of prey capture kinematics, particularly projection time, tongue retraction time and the extent of gape and head movements during tongue retraction, all of which are smaller in shorter feedings. Though several features of the chameleon strike have apparently been retained from lizards not capable of ballistic tongue projection, key differences are documented. Unlike members of a related family, the Agamidae, C. oustaleti uses no body lunge during prey capture, exhibits gape reduction during tongue projection and strongly depresses the head and jaws during tongue retraction. Note: Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.

Kinematic analysis of tongue movements during chemosensory behaviour in the European green lizard, Lacerta viridis (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 1886-1896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Goosse ◽  
Vincent L. Bels
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Upward Movement ◽  
High Speed Cinematography ◽  
Tongue Movements ◽  
Lacerta Viridis ◽  
Tongue Flicking ◽  
Stationary Interval ◽  
Tongue Displacement

High-speed cinematography (100 frames/s) was used to allow quantitative analysis of the kinematic profiles of tongue and jaw displacements during chemosensory activities in the scleroglossan lizard Lacerta viridis. The types of tongue flicking were simple downward extensions (SDE), single oscillations (SOC), and submultiple oscillations (SMOC) of the tongue out of the mouth. The SMOC type involves a downward or upward movement of the tongue performed before a typical oscillation and it is therefore suggested that this is an intermediate category of flick between the typical SOC and MOC of lizards. Closing and opening of the mouth in SDE, SOC, and SMOC cycles may or may not be separated by a stationary stage during which the jaws are held open at a constant gape. The duration of this stationary interval increases from SDE to SMOC. Gape cycles do not show any division into slow and fast stages. The gape is produced largely by depression of the lower jaw; the upper jaw is slightly elevated by protrusion of the tongue. Patterns of correlation of kinematic variables depicting jaw and tongue movements differed between SDE, SOC, and SMOC. A principal component analysis shows that the three flick types overlap in a multivariate space constructed from the kinematic variables depicting jaw and tongue displacements. Overlap between SOC and SMOC categories is greater than that between SOC, SMOC, and SDE categories. The kinematic patterns of tongue displacement during SMOC in Lacerta viridis show similarities with those of MOC in other lizards and in snakes. Kinematically, the pattern of jaw and tongue displacements of Lacerta viridis during chemosensory activities shows similarities with those that occur during drinking and prey capture.

scholarly journals Feeding mechanics and bite force modelling of the skull of Dunkleosteus terrelli , an ancient apex predator

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip S.L Anderson ◽  
Mark W Westneat
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Mouth Opening ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Bite Force ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Large Individual ◽  
Linkage Mechanism ◽  
Feeding Mechanics ◽  
Four Bar Linkage

Placoderms are a diverse group of armoured fishes that dominated the aquatic ecosystems of the Devonian Period, 415–360 million years ago. The bladed jaws of predators such as Dunkleosteus suggest that these animals were the first vertebrates to use rapid mouth opening and a powerful bite to capture and fragment evasive prey items prior to ingestion. Here, we develop a biomechanical model of force and motion during feeding in Dunkleosteus terrelli that reveals a highly kinetic skull driven by a unique four-bar linkage mechanism. The linkage system has a high-speed transmission for jaw opening, producing a rapid expansion phase similar to modern fishes that use suction during prey capture. Jaw closing muscles power an extraordinarily strong bite, with an estimated maximal bite force of over 4400 N at the jaw tip and more than 5300 N at the rear dental plates, for a large individual (6 m in total length). This bite force capability is the greatest of all living or fossil fishes and is among the most powerful bites in animals.

The kinematics and mechanism of prey capture in the African pig-nosed frog (Hemisus marmoratum): description of a radically divergent anuran tongue.

1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (9) ◽  
pp. 2025-2040 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Ritter ◽  
K Nishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Muscle Denervation ◽  
Genioglossus Muscle ◽  
Pulling Forces ◽  
Hydraulic Mechanism

High-speed videography and muscle denervation experiments were used to quantify the feeding kinematics of Hemisus marmoratum and to test hypotheses of muscle function. The feeding behavior of H. marmoratum, which feeds on ants and termites, differs radically from that of other frogs that have been studied. During feeding in H. marmoratum, the tongue 'telescopes' straight out of the mouth, as opposed to the 'flipping' tongue trajectory observed in most other frogs. At the time of prey contact, two lateral lobes of tissue at the tongue tip envelop the prey. These lateral lobes are capable of applying significant pulling forces to the prey and the tongue is, therefore, described as prehensile. The trajectory of the tongue can be adjusted throughout protraction so that the frog can 'aim' its tongue in all three dimensions; distance, azimuth and elevation. Bilateral denervation of the genioglossus muscles results in a complete lack of tongue protraction, indicating that the genioglossus muscle is the main tongue protractor in H. marmoratum, as in other frogs. Thus, H. marmoratum provides strong evidence of functional conservatism of the genioglossus muscle within anurans. Bilateral denervation of the hyoglossus muscle indicates that although the hyoglossus is involved in several aspects of normal tongue retraction, including the prehensile capability of the tongue tip, it is not necessary for tongue retraction. Unilateral denervation of the genioglossus muscle causes significant deviation of the tongue towards the denervated side, providing evidence for a mechanism of lateral tongue aiming. On the basis of the kinematics of prey capture, the anatomy of the tongue and the results of the denervation experiments, we propose that H. marmoratum uses a hydraulic mechanism to protract its tongue.

Unilateral ciliary reversal and motor responses during prey capture by the ctenophore Pleurobrachia

1985 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 443-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Tamm ◽  
A. G. Moss
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Reverse Direction ◽  
Motor Responses ◽  
Ciliary Reversal ◽  
High Speed Cinematography

High-speed cinematography of feeding Pleurobrachia revealed a stereo-typed sequence of ciliary motor responses underlying the feeding behaviour of this ctenophore. Prey capture by a tentacle first elicited high frequency beating in all comb rows, propelling the animal forward at a rapid speed for several seconds. This was followed by a brief period of inactivity on some or all comb rows. Then comb rows adjacent to the catching tentacle beat in the reverse direction, causing the ctenophore to spin rapidly toward this side and sweeping the prey-catching tentacle to the opened mouth, which bent towards it. After engulfing the prey, the animal slowly swam forward to re-set the relaxed tentacles as a fishing net. The patterns, timing, onset and coordination of these ciliary responses, particularly the unilateral reversal of comb rows on the catching side, are analysed with respect to possible conducting pathways mediating this behaviour.

scholarly journals Kinematics of prey capture in a flatfish, Pleuronichthys verticalis

1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (5) ◽  
pp. 1173-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Gibb
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Mouth Opening ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
The Body ◽  
Bilateral Asymmetry ◽  
Ocular Side ◽  
Functional Features ◽  
Prey Capture Behavior ◽  
Pleuronichthys Verticalis

Hornyhead turbot, Pleuronichthys verticalis (Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae), are morphologically asymmetrical teleosts with substantial bilateral asymmetry in the neurocranium, suspensorium and anterior jaws. In order to quantify the kinematics of prey capture and to test for functional bilateral asymmetries, four individuals of this species were video-taped feeding using a high-speed video system at 200 fields s-1. Frame-by-frame analysis revealed several features not commonly found in prey capture behavior of previously studied ray-finned fishes. These features include (1) extreme lateral compression of the suspensorium and opercular series prior to mouth opening, indicating the consistent presence of a preparatory phase during feeding, (2) apparent dissociation of hyoid retraction and lower jaw depression, (3) prolonged hyoid retraction throughout much of the feeding cycle, and (4) concomitant dorsal rotation of the neurocranium and closing of the jaws. P. verticalis also demonstrate a significant degree of functional bilateral asymmetry during prey capture. When approaching prey, fish flex their heads towards the ocular (anatomically the right) side of the body. During prey capture, their jaws bend out of the midline towards the blind (left) side. Comparisons of the displacement and timing for movements of homologous anatomical features on the ocular and blind sides of the head reveal that maximum gape is always larger on the blind side of the head than on the ocular side. In contrast, other kinematic variables measured are similar on both sides of the head. These results suggest that P. verticalis possess unique functional features of prey capture behavior and that morphological bilateral asymmetry of the head and jaws is associated with, and perhaps causally related to, the functional bilateral asymmetry present during feeding.

scholarly journals AQUATIC PREY TRANSPORT AND THE COMPARATIVE KINEMATICS OF AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM FEEDING BEHAVIORS

1994 ◽  
Vol 187 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Gillis ◽  
G Lauder
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Single Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Ambystoma Tigrinum ◽  
Feeding Behaviors ◽  
Motor Patterns ◽  
Feeding Mechanism ◽  
Feeding Kinematics

Four definable feeding behaviors used during the metamorphic life history of tiger salamanders are terrestrial prey capture and transport (as adults) and aquatic prey capture and transport (as larvae). Previous studies have focused primarily on the first three of these behaviors and thus aquatic prey transport is poorly understood. These studies have indicated that terrestrial prey capture has unique kinematic and motor patterns, whereas the other behaviors are quite similar to one another. Using high-speed video analysis, the kinematics of aquatic prey transport in larval Ambystoma tigrinum are described using both lateral and ventral views. These kinematic patterns are statistically compared with the kinematic patterns of aquatic prey capture, terrestrial prey capture and terrestrial prey transport. Statistical analyses allow us to assess the similarities and differences among the four behaviors and to determine the effect of the metamorphic environmental transition (water to land) and morphological changes of the feeding mechanism (suction- to lingual-based) on feeding kinematics. Our data do not support the notion that lingual-based terrestrial prey capture uses unique kinematic patterns compared with the other three behaviors, which consist of similar movements. Rather, each of the feeding behaviors has unique kinematic features that distinguish it from the others. In addition, variation in tiger salamander feeding kinematics is more a function of the feeding event (whether it is capture or transport) than of the environment in which the feeding takes place or the morphology of the feeding mechanism. Finally, we encourage the use of parsimony-based methods of phylogenetic analysis to analyze shared traits (such as kinematic and/or electromyographic variables) in comparative studies of behavior within a single species.

scholarly journals Prey capture analyses in the carnivorous aquatic waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., Droseraceae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Poppinga ◽  
Jassir Smaij ◽  
Anna Sofia Westermeier ◽  
Martin Horstmann ◽  
Sebastian Kruppert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Water Flea ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Starting Position ◽  
High Speed Cinematography ◽  
Movement Type

AbstractWe investigated the predator-prey interactions between an Australian ecotype of the carnivorous waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Droseraceae) and its potential natural prey, the water flea Daphnia longicephala (Daphniidae), which also occurs in Australia. A. vesiculosa develops snap-traps, which close within ~10–100 ms after mechanical triggering by zooplankton prey. Prey capture attempts (PCAs) were recorded via high-speed cinematography in the laboratory. From 14 recorded PCAs, nine were successful for the plant (the prey was caught), and five were unsuccessful (prey could escape), resulting in a capture rate of ~64%. The prey animals’ locomotion behaviour (antenna beat frequency and movement type) in trap vicinity or inside the open traps is very variable. Traps were mainly triggered with the second antennae. During trap closure, the animals moved only very little actively. A flight response in reaction to an initiated trap closure was not observed. However, several animals could escape, either by having a “lucky” starting position already outside the triggered trap, by freeing themselves after trap closure, or by being pressed out by the closing trap lobes. According to our observations in the successful PCAs, we hypothesize that the convex curvature of the two trap lobes (as seen from the outside) and the infolded trap rims are structural means supporting the capture and retention of prey. Our results are discussed in a broader biological context and promising aspects for future studies are proposed.

scholarly journals Feeding Kinematics And Morphology Of The Alligator Gar (Atractosteus Spatula, Lacépède, 1803): Feeding Mechanics Of Atractosteus Spatula

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin B. Lemberg ◽  
Neil H. Shubin ◽  
Mark W. Westneat
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Primary Input ◽  
Feeding Mechanism ◽  
Alligator Gar ◽  
Feeding Kinematics ◽  
Atractosteus Spatula

ABSTRACTModern (lepisosteid) gars are a small clade of seven species and two genera that occupy an important position on the actinopterygian phylogenetic tree as members of the Holostei (Amia + gars), sister-group of the teleost radiation. Often referred to as “living fossils,” these taxa preserve many plesiomorphic characteristics used to interpret and reconstruct early osteichthyan feeding conditions. Less attention, however, has been paid to the functional implications of gar-specific morphology, thought to be related to an exclusively ram-based, lateral-snapping mode of prey capture. Previous studies of feeding kinematics in gars have focused solely on members of the narrow-snouted Lepisosteus genus, and here we expand that dataset to include a member of the broad-snouted sister-genus and largest species of gar, the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula, Lacépède, 1803). High-speed videography reveals that the feeding system of alligator gars is capable of rapid expansion from anterior-to-posterior, precisely timed in a way that appears to counteract the effects of a bow-wave during ram-feeding and generate a unidirectional flow of water through the feeding system. Reconstructed cranial anatomy based on contrast-enhanced micro-CT data show that a lateral-sliding palatoquadrate, flexible intrasuspensorial joint, pivoting interhyal, and retractable pectoral girdle are all responsible for increasing the range of motion and expansive capabilities of the gar cranial linkage system. Muscular reconstructions and manipulation experiments show that, while the sternohyoideus is the primary input to the feeding system (similar to other “basal” actinopterygians), additional input from the hyoid constrictors and hypaxials play an important role in decoupling and modulating between the dual roles of the sternohyoideus: hyoid retraction (jaw opening) and hyoid rotation (pharyngeal expansion) respectively. The data presented here demonstrate an intricate feeding mechanism, capable of precise control with plesiomorphic muscles, that represents one of the many ways the ancestral osteichthyan feeding mechanism has been modified for prey capture.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSAlligator gars use a surprisingly expansive cranial linkage system for prey capture that relies on specialized joints for increased mobility and is capable of precise modulation from anterior to posterior using plesiomorphic osteichthyan musculature.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document