Meeting Abstract

P1.58  Sunday, Jan. 4  Feeding kinematics of the Atlantic stingray (Dasyatis sabina) and yellow stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis). MULVANY, S.L.*; MOTTA, P.J.; Univ. of South Florida, Tampa; Univ. of South Florida, Tampa smulvany@mail.usf.edu

Many batoids utilize their body to pin benthic organisms against the substrate during feeding. While this general prey capture technique is well known, it is not known if there are any kinematic differences in prey capture and feeding among different batoids. Nor is it known if batoids are able to modulate feeding behavior with different prey types. This study compares the feeding kinematics of two batoids, Dasyatis sabina and Urobatis jamaicensis, using live and dead prey. A series of kinematic variables relating to prey capture and manipulation were quantified. Ten feeding events were captured per animal, per treatment. All rays exhibited a general feeding behavior of swimming over the prey and forming a tent around the prey with their anterior pectoral fin margin, trapping and repositioning the prey between the substrate and the ray’s body. Once near the mouth, the rays would use suction and biting to capture and ingest prey. Preliminary results indicate D. sabina is faster at tenting and repositioning prey. However, there is no difference in the duration of bite between D. sabina and U. jamaicensis, but both species modulate feeding behavior depending upon prey type. Duration of bite does not change with different prey types, but all other durational variables increase with live elusive prey for both species. While locomotion is generally thought to be the primary function of the pectoral fins, the pectoral fins play a key role in prey capture for D. sabina and U. jamaicensis.