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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Functional Morphology And Feeding Mechanics Of Billfishes, María Laura Habegger
Functional Morphology And Feeding Mechanics Of Billfishes, María Laura Habegger
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Billfishes (marlins, spearfishes, sailfishes and swordfish) are one of the fastest and largest marine apex predators, and perhaps their most recognizable attribute is their bill or rostrum. The proposed function for this novel structure has ranged from hydrodynamic enhancement to defensive weaponry. However, the most supported hypothesis for its function has been linked to feeding. Billfishes have been observed to subdue their prey with their rostrum, either stunning or cutting them into pieces before ingestion. Due to their large body sizes and pelagic lifestyles a thorough investigation of the function of this structure has been logistically challenging. The goal of …
Evolution And Functional Morphology Of The Cephalic Lobes In Batoids, Samantha Lynn Mulvany
Evolution And Functional Morphology Of The Cephalic Lobes In Batoids, Samantha Lynn Mulvany
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Cephalic lobes are unique structures derived from the anterior pectoral fins, found in select myliobatid stingrays. Many benthic batoids utilize undulatory locomotion and use their pectoral fins for both locomotion and prey capture. Pelagic myliobatids that possess cephalic lobes utilize oscillatory locomotion, using their pectoral fins to locomote and their cephalic lobes for prey capture. Despite differences in habitat usage and locomotor modes, these batoids feed on very similar benthic organisms. The purpose of this study was to 1.) compare the morphology of the cephalic lobes and anterior pectoral fins in lobed and lobeless species, looking at skeletal elements, musculature …