Meeting Abstract

P2.131  Saturday, Jan. 5  Kinematics and functional morphology of feeding in the Northern clingfish MICHEL, K.B.; University of Antwerp krijn.michel@ua.ac.be

The northern clingfish Gobiesox maeandricus uses the lower jaw to pry limpets from the substrate. This study investigated the unique morphology and kinematics of the clingfish feeding apparatus and the structural elements involved when feeding on limpets. Through the use of high speed video and micro CT-scan we answered the following questions: (1) What are the primary structures involved in this unique prey capture process? (2) How is the clingfish morphology adapted to perform these movements? (3) How is the force needed to dislodge limpets generated? The feeding apparatus has been adapted to be able to force the teeth as a wedge between the limpet shell and the substrate. The pectoral suctorial organ functions as the pivot from which the anterior wedging force is generated via the post cranial musculature. The epaxial muscles elevate the entire skull, including oral jaws, thereby helping to dislodge the limpet from the substrate. We hypothesize that the pectoral suctorial organ is of crucial importance for clingfish to be able to generate enough force to feed on limpets. By using the pectoral suctorial organ as a fulcrum, the entire skull is protruded and elevated in order to pry a limpet from the substrate.