Feeding Mechanics of Sharks: Functional and Evolutionary Implications

鲨鱼在我们的海洋生态中扮演着关键的角色，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，而不是人类的捕食者。随着这一认识而来的是一个令人不安的事实，即人类过度捕捞鲨鱼种群，以至于许多种群的恢复都是有问题的。与预期相反，科学家们几乎没有关于鲨鱼如何进食的数据，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来看。鲨鱼在全世界的海洋中有350多种，为我们了解掠食性捕食行为提供了最后一个未开发的领域。本研究通过对包括多种摄食类型在内的7种鲨鱼的猎物捕获情况进行全面的科学分析，揭开了鲨鱼摄食机制和摄食行为的奥秘。利用高速视频摄影和肌电图，监测下巴肌肉收缩的电信号，pi将调查柠檬，护士，沙虎，豹，角鲨，公牛和七鳃鲨的喂养情况。与其他机构正在进行的工作一起，这项研究将使人们更好地了解鲨鱼摄食机制和行为的进化和功能。

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.