Aquatic Feeding Flashcards
What, in general, is the main mechanism by which fishes feed?
Suctioning (Suction Feeding)
What skeletal movements are involved in suction feeding? What creates the pressure changes that drive the flow of water?
The widening of the buccal cavity and the circular mouth opening creates a rapid kinesis that results in a pressure reduction inside the mouth. This reduction in pressure allows water to flow into the mouth, carrying food particles or prey items with it.
What is the significance of the freeing of the maxilla and premaxilla that has occurred in advanced teleosts? What is crazy about the crazy fish?
The maxilla and the premaxilla swing forward when the mouth opens allowing a small opening of the mouth , increasing the velocity of water being sucked in.
What are pharyngeal jaws?
Secondary jaws located inside the mouth, specifically in the pharynx.
What do pharyngeal jaws do in cichlids?
They process prey after being captured by the oral jaws, facilitating the breakdown of food.
What do pharyngeal jaws do in eels?
They use it to capture and swallow prey
What is ram feeding? Give an example.
Ram feeding is when a fish swims forward with its mouth open allowing the momentum and flow of water generated by the organism to engulf prey in its mouth as it moves. An example of this is whale sharks.
How does biting play a role in aquatic feeding (and, what can’t biting do)?
Captures, proceess, & allows manipulation over prey items. It cannot push prey into their mouth.
How do tetrapods feed underwater? Is it different then the way fish feed?
No, they both use ram and suction feeding.
