Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Comparative feeding kinematics of tropical hylid tadpoles

Full text
Author(s):
Venesky, Matthew D. [1] ; Rossa-Feres, Denise C. ; Nomura, Fausto [2] ; de Andrade, Gilda Vasconcellos [3] ; Pezzuti, Tiago Leite [4] ; Tsutae de Sousa, Veronica Thiemi [2] ; Anderson, Christopher V. [1] ; Wassersug, Richard J. [5, 6]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ S Florida, Dept Integrat Biol, Tampa, FL 33620 - USA
[2] Univ Fed Goias, Dept Ecol, Lab Herpetol Comportamento Anim, BR-74001970 Goiania, Go - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Maranhao, Dept Biol, BR-65085580 Sao Luis, MA - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Zool, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
[5] Univ British Columbia, Dept Urol Sci, Gordon & Leslie Diamond Care Ctr, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 - Canada
[6] Dalhousie Univ, Dept Anat & Neurobiol, Sir Charles Tupper Med Bldg, Halifax, NS B3H 4H7 - Canada
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Experimental Biology; v. 216, n. 10, p. 1928-1937, MAY 2013.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

Anuran larvae, which are otherwise simple in shape, typically have complex keratinized mouthparts (i.e. labial teeth and jaw sheaths) that allow them to graze upon surfaces. The diversity in these structures among species presumably reflects specializations that allow for maximal feeding efficiency on different types of food. However, we lack a general understanding of how these oral structures function during feeding. We used high-speed digital imaging (500 Hz) to observe tadpoles of six species from the anuran family Hylidae grazing on a standardized food-covered substrate. Tadpoles of these species vary in the number of labial tooth rows, belong to two different feeding guilds (benthic and nektonic), and inhabit ponds and streams. We confirmed that the labial teeth in these species serve two functions: anchoring the mouth to the substrate and raking material off of the substrate. In general, tadpoles with a larger maximum gape or those with fewer labial tooth rows opened and closed their mouths slower than tadpoles with smaller gape or more tooth rows. Nektonic feeding tadpoles released each of their tooth rows proportionally earlier in the gape cycle compared with benthic feeding tadpoles. Lastly, we found some support for the idea that deformation of the jaw sheaths during a feeding cycle is predictable based on tadpole feeding guild. Collectively, our data show that anatomical (e.g. number of labial teeth) and ecological features (e.g. feeding guild) of tadpoles significantly influence how tadpoles open and close their mouths during feeding. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/51724-3 - Matthew D. Venesky | University of South Florida - United States
Grantee:Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
FAPESP's process: 09/12761-0 - The effects of advertisement call and body size on male spacing in choruses of Dendropsophus nanus (Anura, Hylidae)
Grantee:Verônica Thiemi Tsutae de Sousa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
FAPESP's process: 10/52321-7 - Diversity and ecology of tadpoles from Central Amazonia
Grantee:Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants