STOECKLIN, G.S.; Florida Institute of Technology: Ontogeny of Prey Capture Modulation in the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis

The present study is the first to address the role of ontogeny in the feeding behavior of common snook under various prey types. Using high-speed video, feeding events were recorded and analyzed for integral linear and timing kinematic variables in order to investigate the effects of body size on prey capture. The snook used in this study were comprised of eight individuals ranging in size from 51 to 110 mm standard length. Untethered live and dead mosquitofish, representing two extremes of elusiveness, were used to record feeding events. Maximum gape scaled isometrically with size whereas maximum premaxillary protrusion, hyoid depression and head lift angle scaled with a moderate negative allometry. All timing variables associated with the achievement of a maximum linear excursion scaled with a strong negative allometry. No significant difference was observed in the feeding behavior of snook when presented with live or dead prey such that prey capture was functionally similar regardless of prey status. This study highlights the importance of taking the potentially confounding effect of size into account when making both inter-and intraspecific comparisons of feeding kinematics in fish.