RUI: Evolution of Vertebrate Design: Functional Morphology of a Novel Feeding Mechanism in Osteoglossomorph and Salmonid Fishes.

脊椎动物设计的进化：骨舌鱼和鲑科鱼类的一种新型摄食机制的功能形态学christopher P. J. Sanford Hofstra university本研究将调查两种生态和经济上重要的鱼类摄食行为的起源和随后的进化。新的进食行为的起源使生物体能够开发新的资源，对它们的成功至关重要，特别是在面临环境中食物可用性的变化时。新的行为和功能可能是由于新的解剖结构、先前存在的解剖结构的改变，或者仅仅是控制运动的肌肉活动序列的改变。这三个因素在新行为起源中的关系在很大程度上仍未被探索，但如果我们要理解是什么驱动了进化的成功，这是至关重要的。采用综合方法，本研究的目的是确定肌肉活动模式的变化与与健康相关的新行为和功能的起源之间的关系。定量分析一种在两种不同鱼类群体中独立进化的新的摄食行为，将确定新的肌肉活动模式是否是新行为起源的共同特征。这个项目意义重大，因为它将提供第一个经过严格测试的例子，证明这些鱼类肌肉活动变化的直接结果是功能上的重复和可预测的变化。它还将展示肌肉活动在为新功能进化提供平台方面的核心作用。三种方法将被用来量化一种新的咀嚼行为在鲑鱼和骨舌鱼。这种新奇的咀嚼行为主要围绕着骨舌上的大牙齿和上颚上的另一组牙齿之间令人印象深刻的咬合力，这组牙齿用来撕碎和使猎物失去能力。在进食过程中，这两组鱼的头肌活动将被记录下来，并与视频一起，将提供咀嚼过程中肌肉活动模式变化的功能后果的准确图像。传统上，追踪头部骨元素运动的困难之一是许多在进食中重要的结构不能从外部观察。因此，一种新的技术，声纳超声，将被用来追踪那些无法通过视频分析观察到的元素的运动。这项研究将为肌肉活动模式在新功能起源中的变化程度，以及引发与进食成功相关的重要功能变化所必需的肌肉活动变化水平提供强有力的测试。这项研究的广泛影响是广泛的，因为它将提供关于咀嚼行为的重要信息，从而提供经济上重要的鱼类的最佳食物来源。该研究还将为一名博士后研究员提供培训。由于这项研究主要是在本科院校进行的，它将促进从本科生到高级研究人员的所有教育水平的合作培训和学习。在这个项目中使用的现代技术和设备将通过纳入新的本科课程的几个领域，产生重大的、积极的教育影响。此外，这个研究项目将从代表性不足的群体中吸引高素质的个人。

RUI: Evolution of Vertebrate Design: Functional Morphology of a Novel Feeding Mechanism in Osteoglossomorph and Salmonid FishesChristopher P. J. Sanford Hofstra UniversityThis research will investigate the origin and subsequent evolution of feeding behaviors in two ecologically and economically important groups of fishes. The origin of novel feeding behaviors allows organisms to exploit new resources and is critical to their success, particularly when facing changes in the availability of food in the environment. New behaviors and functions can be the result of novel anatomical structures, modifications of pre existing anatomical structures, or simply changes in the sequence of muscle activity that control movement. The relationship between these three factors in the origin of new behaviors remains largely unexplored, but is crucial if we are to understand what drives evolutionary success. Using an integrative approach, the aim of this research is to determine how changes in the pattern of muscle activity relate to the origin of new behaviors and functions that are linked to fitness. Quantitative analysis of a novel feeding behavior that has evolved independently in two different groups of fishes will establish if new patterns of muscle activity are a common feature in the origin of new behaviors. This project is significant because it will provide the first rigorously tested example of a repeated and predictable change in function that is the direct result of changes in muscle activity in these fishes. It will also demonstrate the central role of muscle activity in providing a platform for new functions to evolve. Three approaches will be used to quantify a novel chewing behavior in both salmonids and bony-tongue fishes. This novel chewing behavior centers around an impressive bite between large teeth on the bony tongue and an opposing set of teeth on the roof of the mouth that is used to shred and disable prey. Cranial muscle activity will be recorded in representatives of these two groups of fishes during feeding events, and along with video, will provide an accurate picture of the functional consequences of any changes in the pattern of muscle activity during chewing. Traditionally, one of the difficulties in tracking the movement of bony elements of the head is that many structures important in feeding cannot be viewed externally. Thus, a new technology, sonometric ultrasound, will be used to track the movements of those elements not observable using video analysis. This research will provide a robust test of the extent to which muscle activity patterns change in the origin of new functions, and the level of muscle activity variation necessary to elicit important functional changes that can be linked to feeding success. The broader impacts of this study are extensive because it will provide important information on chewing behavior and thus optimal food sources in economically important fishes. The research will also provide training for a postdoctoral researcher. As this research is being conducted at a primarily undergraduate institution it will foster cooperative training and learning among all educational levels, from undergraduates to advanced-level researchers. The modern techniques and equipment used in this project will have significant, positive educational impacts through incorporation into several areas of a new undergraduate curriculum. Furthermore, this research program will attract well qualified individuals from underrepresented groups.