Dataset Information

Extremely fast feeding strikes are powered by elastic recoil in a seahorse relative, the snipefish, Macroramphosus scolopax.

ABSTRACT: Among over 30 000 species of ray-finned fishes, seahorses and pipefishes have a unique feeding mechanism whereby the elastic recoil of tendons allows them to rotate their long snouts extremely rapidly in order to capture small elusive prey. To understand the evolutionary origins of this feeding mechanism, its phylogenetic distribution among closely related lineages must be assessed. We present evidence for elastic recoil-powered feeding in snipefish (Macroramphosus scolopax) from kinematics, dynamics and morphology. High-speed videos of strikes show they achieve extremely fast head and hyoid rotational velocities, resulting in rapid prey capture in as short a duration as 2 ms. The maximum instantaneous muscle-mass-specific power requirement for head rotation in snipefish was above the known vertebrate maximum, which is evidence that strikes are not the result of direct muscle power. Finally, we show that the over-centre conformation of the four-bar linkage mechanism coupling head elevation to hyoid rotation in snipefish can function as a torque reversal latch, preventing the head from rotating and providing the opportunity for elastic energy storage. The presence of elastic recoil feeding in snipefish means that this high-performance mechanism is not restricted to the Syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefish) and may have evolved in parallel.

SUBMITTER: Longo SJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6053929 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Extremely fast feeding strikes are powered by elastic recoil in a seahorse relative, the snipefish, <i>Macroramphosus scolopax</i>.

Longo Sarah J SJ Goodearly Tyler T Wainwright Peter C PC

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20180704 1882

Among over 30 000 species of ray-finned fishes, seahorses and pipefishes have a unique feeding mechanism whereby the elastic recoil of tendons allows them to rotate their long snouts extremely rapidly in order to capture small elusive prey. To understand the evolutionary origins of this feeding mechanism, its phylogenetic distribution among closely related lineages must be assessed. We present evidence for elastic recoil-powered feeding in snipefish (<i>Macroramphosus scolopax</i>) from kinemati ...[more]

PMID: 30051834

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Project description:Among infants born prematurely, competence at oral feeding is necessary for growth and hospital discharge. Extremely preterm (EP) infants (28 weeks of gestational age [GA]) are at risk for a variety of medical complications, which can limit the infant's capacity to develop oral feeding competence.This study examined feeding progression by assessing timing of acquisition of five early feeding milestones among EP infants and the impact of immaturity and medical complications.A chart review was conducted for 94 EP infants who participated in a larger longitudinal randomized study. Feeding progression was defined as infants' postmenstrual age (PMA) at five milestones: first enteral feeding, full enteral feeding, first oral feeding, half oral feeding, and full oral feeding. GA at birth and five medical complications (neurological risk, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) were used as potential factors influencing the feeding progression. Linear mixed models were used to examine feeding progression across the milestones and contributions of GA at birth and five medical complications on the progression, after controlling for milk type as a covariate.EP infants gradually achieved feeding milestones; however, the attainment of the feeding milestones slowed significantly for infants with younger GA at birth and the presence of medical complications, including neurological risk, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and patent ductus arteriosus but not gastroesophageal reflux disease. Milk type was a significant covariate for all analyses, suggesting that infants fed with breast milk achieved each of five milestones earlier than formula-fed infants.Improved understanding of the timing of essential feeding milestones among EP infants and the contribution of specific medical conditions to the acquisition of these milestones may allow for more targeted care to support feeding skill development.

Dataset Information

Extremely fast feeding strikes are powered by elastic recoil in a seahorse relative, the snipefish, Macroramphosus scolopax.

Publications

Extremely fast feeding strikes are powered by elastic recoil in a seahorse relative, the snipefish, <i>Macroramphosus scolopax</i>.

Similar Datasets

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