Systematics and Function: Feeding Mechanisms in Ray-Finned Fishes

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The proposed research will study how muscle function and bone movement (physiological features of organisms) correlate with structural (morphological) and behavioral features. Most work to date has focused on animal morphology, and relatively little research has been done on the physiological function of features of organisms as these functions relate to morphology and behavior. In particular, a general question of interest to comparative biologists will be addressed: how congruent are the distributions of physiological and morphological characteristics in organisms? The muscles and bones of the head region in fishes will be used as a model system to investigate this question. With nearly 23,000 species, ray-finned fishes comprise more than half of all vertebrates, and have proven to be an excellent model system for the study of animal function in the past. In addition, many of the fish groups to be studied are of considerable economic importance while others occur in regions of the world where there is great concern for the loss of biodiversity. This research will contribute to our understanding of (1) the utility of physiological data for testing comparative hypotheses in biology, (2) the biomechanics of bone and muscle function in vertebrates, and (3) our understanding of the biodiversity of the largest group of vertebrates.