Anatomy and functional morphology of the feeding apparatus of the lesser electric ray, Narcine brasiliensis (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea)

Journal of Morphology
Mason N Dean, Philip J Motta

Abstract

Protrusion of the jaws during feeding is common in Batoidea (rays, skates, sawfishes, and guitarfishes), members of which possess a highly modified jaw suspension. The lesser electric ray, Narcine brasiliensis, preys primarily on polychaete annelids using a peculiar and highly derived mechanism for jaw protraction. The ray captures its prey by protruding its jaws beneath the substrate and generating subambient buccal pressure to suck worms into its mouth. Initiation of this protrusion is similar to that proposed for other batoids, in that the swing of the distal ends of the hyomandibulae is transmitted to Meckel's cartilage. A "scissor-jack" model of jaw protrusion is proposed for Narcine, in which the coupling of the upper and lower jaws, and extremely flexible symphyses, allow medial compression of the entire jaw complex. This results in a shortening of the distance between the right and left sides of the jaw arch and ventral extension of the jaws. Motion of the skeletal elements involved in this extreme jaw protrusion is convergent with that described for the wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus. Narcine also exhibits asymmetrical protrusion of the jaws from the midline during processing, accomplished by unequal depression...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Apr 30, 2015·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Peter C WainwrightL Patricia Hernandez
Dec 15, 2005·Zoology : Analysis of Complex Systems, ZACS·Mason N Dean, Philip J Motta
Mar 18, 2006·Zoology : Analysis of Complex Systems, ZACS·Daniel R HuberPhilip J Motta
Apr 6, 2019·Journal of Morphology·Kelsi M RutledgeMatthew A Kolmann
Aug 5, 2017·Zoological Science·Michio HoriYuichi Takeuchi
Jul 18, 2015·Journal of Anatomy·Matthew A KolmannR Dean Grubbs
Mar 22, 2014·Journal of Morphology·Matthew A KolmannR Dean Grubbs
Jul 12, 2019·The Journal of Experimental Biology·J D Laurence-ChasenElizabeth L Brainerd
Sep 23, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Sandra NauwelaertsChristopher P Sanford

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