Meeting Abstract
Predator-prey interactions shape community dynamics through trophic transfer and changes in species composition. Morphology is a crucial factor in feeding interactions, often determining whether a predator can physically consume a prey. In the aquatic environment, fish overcome the density of water via suction feeding, rapidly expanding their buccal cavity to create a pressure differential, resulting in the prey being engulfed in an envelope of water. Suction will often become specialized to certain prey, prey size and prey escape responses, and over ontogeny, predators may change their diet. This study examines the ontogeny of feeding morphology and kinematics of the painted greenling, Oxylebius pictus, to understand how morphology and diet are contoured to feeding performance. Using morphometrics and kinematic video analysis, we find feeding performance differences with changes in fish size. On average, larger individuals induced higher prey velocities, yet smaller individuals had quicker, larger excursions. Maximum peak gapes corresponded with maximum velocities for each fish. However, we also find that measures of kinematic performance do not correspond with morphological potential calculated for alcohol specimens revealing behavioral mechanisms or physiological constraints in live fish. This study shows different life stages of the painted greenling are adapted to handle different prey, and certain constraints and behaviors alter feeding performance. Understanding feeding performance of different organisms gives ecologist a better understanding about responses to community changes.
