Abstract
Studies of the functional morphology of feeding have typically not included an analysis of the potential for the kinematics of the gape cycle to vary based on the material properties of the prey item being consumed. Variation in prey properties is expected not only to reveal variation in feeding function, but allows testing of the functional role of the phases of the gape cycle. The jaw kinematics of two species of lizards are analyzed when feeding trials are conducted using quantitative control of prey mass, hardness and mobility. For both species, there were statistically significant prey effects on feeding kinematics for all the prey properties evaluated (i.e. prey mass, hardness and mobility). Of these three prey properties, prey mass had a more significant effect on feeding kinematics than prey hardness or mobility. Revealing the impact of varying prey properties on feeding kinematics helps to establish the baseline level of functional variability in the feeding system. Additionally, these data confirm the previously hypothesized functional role of the slow open (SO) phase of the gape cycle as allowing for physical conformation of the tongue to the surface of the food bolus in preparation for further intraoral transport.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3751-3761 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Experimental Biology |
| Volume | 212 |
| Issue number | 22 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 15 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Feeding
- Functional morphology
- Lizards
- Prey properties
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Aquatic Science
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Insect Science
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Cite this
Quantitative analysis of the effect of prey properties on feeding kinematics in two species of lizards. / Metzger, Keith A.
In: Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 212, No. 22, 15.11.2009, p. 3751-3761.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantitative analysis of the effect of prey properties on feeding kinematics in two species of lizards
AU - Metzger, Keith A.
PY - 2009/11/15
Y1 - 2009/11/15
N2 - Studies of the functional morphology of feeding have typically not included an analysis of the potential for the kinematics of the gape cycle to vary based on the material properties of the prey item being consumed. Variation in prey properties is expected not only to reveal variation in feeding function, but allows testing of the functional role of the phases of the gape cycle. The jaw kinematics of two species of lizards are analyzed when feeding trials are conducted using quantitative control of prey mass, hardness and mobility. For both species, there were statistically significant prey effects on feeding kinematics for all the prey properties evaluated (i.e. prey mass, hardness and mobility). Of these three prey properties, prey mass had a more significant effect on feeding kinematics than prey hardness or mobility. Revealing the impact of varying prey properties on feeding kinematics helps to establish the baseline level of functional variability in the feeding system. Additionally, these data confirm the previously hypothesized functional role of the slow open (SO) phase of the gape cycle as allowing for physical conformation of the tongue to the surface of the food bolus in preparation for further intraoral transport.
AB - Studies of the functional morphology of feeding have typically not included an analysis of the potential for the kinematics of the gape cycle to vary based on the material properties of the prey item being consumed. Variation in prey properties is expected not only to reveal variation in feeding function, but allows testing of the functional role of the phases of the gape cycle. The jaw kinematics of two species of lizards are analyzed when feeding trials are conducted using quantitative control of prey mass, hardness and mobility. For both species, there were statistically significant prey effects on feeding kinematics for all the prey properties evaluated (i.e. prey mass, hardness and mobility). Of these three prey properties, prey mass had a more significant effect on feeding kinematics than prey hardness or mobility. Revealing the impact of varying prey properties on feeding kinematics helps to establish the baseline level of functional variability in the feeding system. Additionally, these data confirm the previously hypothesized functional role of the slow open (SO) phase of the gape cycle as allowing for physical conformation of the tongue to the surface of the food bolus in preparation for further intraoral transport.
KW - Feeding
KW - Functional morphology
KW - Lizards
KW - Prey properties
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U2 - 10.1242/jeb.034462
DO - 10.1242/jeb.034462
M3 - Article
VL - 212
SP - 3751
EP - 3761
JO - Journal of Experimental Biology
JF - Journal of Experimental Biology
SN - 0022-0949
IS - 22
ER -