Abstract
The feeding mechanisms of elasmobranchs and their functioning have been receiving growing scientific attention, although less emphasis has yet to be directed towards batoid species. The present study investigated the use of orobranchial musculature during prey capture and processing behavior in Potamotrygon motoro. Ten orobranchial muscle groups were removed to determine their relative biomasses. The kinematics of the musculature was described based on videos of prey capture and manipulation under captive conditions recorded at 250 and 500 field/s. Analyses of the orobranchial musculature indicated that adductor muscles responsible for closing the mouth had high biomasses, which is consistent with their functions related to apprehend and manipulate the prey. The feeding behavior adopted by this ray species showed a sequence of manipulation to crush hard prey as crustaceans (dominant prey category for P. motoro) to facilitate final oral transport. The morphological and behavioral characteristics of P. motoro are essential to fully understanding the mechanisms used in prey capture and processing in environments in which these stingrays occur.
Highlights
Elasmobranchs feed on a wide variety of organisms and are responsible for energy transfer through trophic levels in all of the environments in which they occur (Wetherbee & Cortés, 2004)
An interpretation of the functional morphology of the feeding mechanisms of Potamotrygon motoro was possible based on our understanding of its feeding habits (Shibuya et al, 2009)
There is evidence for differences in the feeding habits of distinct populations of P. motoro (e.g. Pantano-Neto, 2001; Lonardoni et al, 2006; Almeida et al, 2010) that are influenced by differential abundances of certain prey categories in the environments in which these stingrays occur
Summary
Elasmobranchs feed on a wide variety of organisms and are responsible for energy transfer through trophic levels in all of the environments in which they occur (Wetherbee & Cortés, 2004). These animals have a relatively simple buccal apparatus, they demonstrate various different types of feeding behavior (capture by suction, mandibular apprehension, oral manipulation, and filtration) (Wilga & Motta, 1998a), and they consume various prey categories (Motta, 2004). One factor that makes it difficult to visualize feeding tactics and investigates prey capture and manipulation modes in rays with benthic habits is the ventral position of their mouths; this makes experiments under laboratory conditions essential for detailed observations (e.g. Wilga & Motta, 1998b; Dean & Motta, 2004)
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