Functional Morphology Of Mouthparts Research Articles

Functional morphology of mouthparts and antennal sensillae of two co-generic aphidophagous ladybirds

Functional morphology of mouthparts and antennal sensillae of two co-generic aphidophagous ladybirds

Drinking with a very long proboscis: Functional morphology of orchid bee mouthparts (Euglossini, Apidae, Hymenoptera)

Neotropical orchid bees (Euglossini) possess the longest proboscides among bees. In this study, we compared the feeding behavior and functional morphology of mouthparts in two similarly large-sized species of Euglossa that differ greatly in proboscis length. Feeding observations and experiments conducted under semi-natural conditions were combined with micro-morphological examination using LM, SEM and micro CT techniques. The morphometric comparison showed that only the components of the mouthparts that form the food tube differ in length, while the proximal components, which are responsible for proboscis movements, are similar in size. This study represents the first documentation of lapping behaviour in Euglossini. We demonstrate that Euglossa bees use a lapping-sucking mode of feeding to take up small amounts of fluid, and a purely suctorial technique for larger fluid quantities. The mouthpart movements are largely similar to that in other long-tongued bees, except that the postmentum in Euglossa can be extended, greatly enhancing the protraction of the glossa. This results in a maximal functional length that is about 50% longer than the length of the food canal composing parts of the proboscis. The nectar uptake and the sensory equipment of the proboscis are discussed in context to flower probing.

The mouth apparatus of Lithodes maja (Crustacea: Decapoda) – form, function and biological role

AbstractBeing able to utilize many different food resources is probably an important aspect of the success of decapod crustaceans which fill a wide range of various ecological niches worldwide. The phenomenon is facilitated by the complex mouth apparatus found in this group, whose representatives possess six pairs of mouthparts– mandibles, maxillae 1, and maxillae 2 and three maxillipeds, the first three pairs of thoracic appendages which are also specialized to food manipulation. These six pairs are able to perform a number of movements for transporting, aligning, crushing and cutting. Studies into the functional morphology of mouthparts have already been carried out in some decapod species. This study focuses on Lithodes maja, a species of the hitherto understudied king crabs (Lithodidae), chosen on the grounds of their remarkable evolutionary history as ‘derived hermit crabs’. Individuals were filmed while being presented with different kinds of food. To obtain structural information on the individual mouthpart elements as naturally arranged in relation to one another, the shape of the mouthparts was 3D‐reconstructed from micro‐CT scans. These data were complemented by scanning electron microscopy, to analyse the surface structures in detail. There is evidence that the various elements of the mouthparts of L. maja can be sorted into six functional groups: (i) transporting mouthpart elements, (ii) aligning/sorting mouthpart elements, (iii) clutching/holding mouthpart elements, (iv) tearing/cutting/crushing mouthpart elements, (v) current‐generating mouthpart elements and (vi) grooming mouthpart elements. According to our 3D reconstruction, there only seem to be minor differences in morphology and relative position between the mouthparts of L. maja and those of the closely related species, Pagurus bernhardus.

Erratum: Functional morphology of mouthparts and digestive system during larval development of the cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis (de Man, 1888)

The authors of the above article apologize for their error found after publication and would like to amend the following: Giana Bastos-Gomez should be spelled as Giana Bastos Gomes.

Functional morphology of mouthparts and digestive system during larval development of the cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis (de Man, 1888)

Mouthpart and alimentary canal development was examined in Lysmata amboinensis larvae using scanning electron microscopy and histology. The gross morphological features of external mouthparts and internal digestive tract structures of larvae at different developmental stages indicate that ingestive and digestive capabilities are well developed from early on. With increasing age of the larvae the mouthpart appendages increased in size, the hepatopancreas in tubular density and the midgut in length. The density of setae and robustness of teeth and spines of individual structures increased. The most pronounced changes from early to late stage larvae involved formation of pores on the paragnaths and labrum, transformation of the mandibular spine-like teeth to molar cusps, development of the filter press in the proventriculus and of infoldings in the previously straight hindgut. The results suggest that early stage L. amboinensis larvae may benefit from soft, perhaps gelatinous prey, whereas later stages are better equipped to handle larger, muscular or more fibrous foods.

Feeding modes of deep-sea lobsters (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidae and Palinuridae) in Northwest Pacific waters: Functional morphology of mouthparts, feeding behaviour and gut content analysis

The setation of the mouthparts, gut contents and video recordings of live individuals of the deep-sea clawed lobsters (Nephropidae) Metanephrops formosanus, M. armatus and the spiny lobster (Palinuridae) Puerulus angulatus from northwest Pacific waters were analysed to get an insight into their feeding modes. A comparison of SEM photos shows a high degree of similarity between the morphology and setation of the mouthparts of M. formosanus and M. armatus, but that of P. angulatus was very different to Metanephrops. Serrate setae are most abundant on the feeding appendages of M. formosanus and M. armatus. The mouthparts of P. angulatus are dominated by simple and cuspidate setae. Gut contents of Metanephrops spp. contained small crustacean parts, fish and bivalves and a considerable amount of sediment (∼60% relative abundance). Guts of Puerulus contained mostly small pieces of fish and crustaceans and only a relatively minor amount of sediment (<10%). Video analysis revealed that the studied Metanephrops species are able to handle soft food items by cutting and abrading movements of the mouthparts. Puerulus would not feed on presented food items under lab conditions. The feeding appendages and their setation are clearly related to the feeding modes of the species studied. Both Metanephrops species have slender appendages with fine and sharp setae, suggesting it is a predator and/or scavenger on small crustaceans and ingest deposits to a limited extent. Puerulus angulatus has thick and shorter appendages with strong simple and cuspidate setae, possibly corresponding to a more predatory lifestyle.

Review Functional morphology as an aid in determining trophic behaviour: the placement of astigmatic mites in food webs of water-filled tree-hole communities

The arthropod communities of phytotelmata (plant-held waters) are considered excellent subjects for studying and testing community theory. Food webs constructed for phytotelm communities, however, usually exclude mites or determine their placement based on little, if any, actual knowledge of their trophic behaviour. Although individually small, many acarine species attain high population levels and therefore may be important as prey for other inhabitants, as processing chain species in commensal relationships and as competitors of the larger tree-hole inhabitants. An understanding of the trophic relationships of acarine inhabitants is therefore essential to an understanding of the dynamics of phytotelm communities. Studies emphasizing the functional morphology of mouth parts of astigmatic species inhabiting water-filled tree holes in the eastern USA and in Queensland, Australia, reveal a diversity of trophic groups. Among these are 'shredders' who ingest leaf material and associated microbes by biting off chunks of leaves, 'scrapers' (= grazers) who crop fungal hyphae and/or other microbes and detritus from the substrate surface and 'collectors' who filter microbes and fine particulate matter from the water. This information allows for the more exact placement of acarine inhabitants in food webs of water-filled tree holes.