Feeding Mechanics of Sharks: Functional and Evolutionary Implications

Motta 9807863 鲨鱼在我们的海洋生态中起着关键作用，直到最近，我们才开始将它们视为健康海洋生态系统的关键，而不是人类的掠食者。沿着这一认识的是令人不安的事实，即人类过度开发鲨鱼种群，以至于许多种群的恢复都是值得怀疑的。 与预期相反，科学家们几乎没有关于鲨鱼如何捕食的数据，无论是从它们如何捕获猎物的角度来看，还是从它们有效进食机制的运作角度来看。 鲨鱼在全世界的海洋中有350多个物种，它是我们了解捕食行为的最后一个未开发的前沿领域之一。 本研究通过对7种鲨鱼捕食行为的科学分析，揭示了鲨鱼捕食机制和捕食行为的奥秘。 利用高速视频摄影和肌电图，监测收缩下颌肌肉的电信号，PI将调查柠檬，护士，沙虎，豹，角，公牛和七鳃鲨的饲养情况。 与其他机构正在进行的工作一起，这项研究将有助于更好地了解鲨鱼摄食机制和行为的演变和功能。

Motta 9807863 Sharks play a pivotal role in the ecology of our oceans and only recently have we begun to view them as key to a healthy marine ecosystems instead of predators on man. Along with this realization is the disturbing fact that man has over exploited shark populations to the extent that recovery of many populations is questionable. Contrary to expectation, scientist have little data on how sharks feed, both from the perspective of how they capture their prey, but also in tems of the workings of their efficient feeding mechanisms. With over 350 species in all the world's oceans, sharks provide one of the last unexplored frontiers in our understanding of predatory feeding behavior. This study begins to unravel the mysteries of the shark feeding mechanism and their feeding behavior by thorough scientific analysis of prey capture in seven species of shark encompassing a diversity of feeding types. Utilizing high speed video photography and electromyography, the monitoring of electrical signals from contracting jaw muscles, the PIs will investigate feeding in lemon, nurse, sand tiger, leopard, horn, bull, and sevengill sharks. Together with work being conducted at other institutions, this study will lead to a better understanding of the evolution and functioning of shark feeding mechanisms and behaviors.