Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [245733]
A fish that uses its hydrodynamic tongue to feed on land
Michel, K.B.; Heiss, E.; Aerts, P.; Van Wassenbergh, S. (2015). A fish that uses its hydrodynamic tongue to feed on land. Proc. - Royal Soc., Biol. Sci. 282(1805): 20150057. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.0057
In: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. The Royal Society: London. ISSN 0962-8452; e-ISSN 1471-2954, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Physics > Mechanics > Kinematics
    Tongue
    Oxudercinae Günther, 1861 [WoRMS]; Triturus carnifex
    Marine/Coastal; Brackish water; Fresh water
Author keywords
    Prey capture; Mudskipper, Newt, Hyoid

Authors  Top 

Abstract
    To capture and swallow food on land, a sticky tongue supported by the hyoid and gill arch skeleton has evolved in land vertebrates from aquatic ancestors that used mouth-cavity-expanding actions of the hyoid to suck food into the mouth. However, the evolutionary pathway bridging this drastic shift in feeding mechanism and associated hyoid motions remains unknown. Modern fish that feed on land may help to unravel the physical constraints and biomechanical solutions that led to terrestrialization of fish-feeding systems. Here, we show that the mudskipper emerges onto land with its mouth cavity filled with water, which it uses as a protruding and retracting ‘hydrodynamic tongue’ during the initial capture and subsequent intra-oral transport of food. Our analyses link this hydrodynamic action of the intra-oral water to a sequence of compressive and expansive cranial motions that diverge from the general pattern known for suction feeding in fishes. However, the hyoid motion pattern showed a remarkable resemblance to newts during tongue prehension. Consequently, although alternative scenarios cannot be excluded, hydrodynamic tongue usage may be a transitional step onto which the evolution of adhesive mucosa and intrinsic lingual muscles can be added to gain further independence from water for terrestrial foraging.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors