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A Novel Biting Mechanism in Damselfishes (Pomacentridae): the Pushing Up of the Lower Pharyngeal Jaw By the Pectoral Girdle

A Novel Biting Mechanism in Damselfishes (Pomacentridae): the Pushing Up of the Lower Pharyngeal... A NOVEL BITING MECHANISM IN DAMSELFISHES (POMACENTRIDAE): THE PUSHING UP OF THE LOWER PHARYNGEAL JAW BY THE PECTORAL GIRDLE by FRIETSON GALIS and PETER SNELDERWAARD (Institute for Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences, University of Leiden, P.O. Box 9516, NL-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail:galis@rulsfb.leidenuniv.nl) ABSTRACT This study presents a novel mechanism for biting with the pharyngeal jaws in the labroid family Pomacentridae (damselfishes). Results of experiments in which 9 branchial and hyoid muscles were electrically stimulated are presented. Upon contraction of the m. protractor pectoralis the pectoral girdle is protracted and makes contact with the lower pharyngeal jaw resulting in the elevation of the lower pharyngeal jaw. The force of the m. protractor pectoralis contributes to the biting force of the m. levator externus 4 and m. levator posterior during biting and in this way increases the total biting force that can be exerted on prey. KEY WORDS: Pomacentridae, Cichlidae, Labroidei, pharyngeal jaw apparatus, pectoral girdle, biting. INTRODUCTION The pharyngeal jaw apparatus of labroid fishes is of strong evolutionary significance: 7 out of the 8 characters that distinguish this suborder from other perciforms are found in the pharyngeal jaw apparatus (STIASSNY & JENSEN, 1987). Furthermore, the functioning of the http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Netherlands Journal of Zoology (in 2003 continued as Animal Biology) Brill

A Novel Biting Mechanism in Damselfishes (Pomacentridae): the Pushing Up of the Lower Pharyngeal Jaw By the Pectoral Girdle

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References (3)

Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 1996 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0028-2960
eISSN
1568-542X
DOI
10.1163/156854297X00085
Publisher site
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Abstract

A NOVEL BITING MECHANISM IN DAMSELFISHES (POMACENTRIDAE): THE PUSHING UP OF THE LOWER PHARYNGEAL JAW BY THE PECTORAL GIRDLE by FRIETSON GALIS and PETER SNELDERWAARD (Institute for Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences, University of Leiden, P.O. Box 9516, NL-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, e-mail:galis@rulsfb.leidenuniv.nl) ABSTRACT This study presents a novel mechanism for biting with the pharyngeal jaws in the labroid family Pomacentridae (damselfishes). Results of experiments in which 9 branchial and hyoid muscles were electrically stimulated are presented. Upon contraction of the m. protractor pectoralis the pectoral girdle is protracted and makes contact with the lower pharyngeal jaw resulting in the elevation of the lower pharyngeal jaw. The force of the m. protractor pectoralis contributes to the biting force of the m. levator externus 4 and m. levator posterior during biting and in this way increases the total biting force that can be exerted on prey. KEY WORDS: Pomacentridae, Cichlidae, Labroidei, pharyngeal jaw apparatus, pectoral girdle, biting. INTRODUCTION The pharyngeal jaw apparatus of labroid fishes is of strong evolutionary significance: 7 out of the 8 characters that distinguish this suborder from other perciforms are found in the pharyngeal jaw apparatus (STIASSNY & JENSEN, 1987). Furthermore, the functioning of the

Journal

Netherlands Journal of Zoology (in 2003 continued as Animal Biology) – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 1996

Keywords: Pomacentridae; biting; Labroidei; Cichlidae; pectoral girdle; pharyngeal jaw apparatus

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