Feeding Biology and Mouthpart Morphology of Three Species of Coral Gall Crabs (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae)

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy K. Kropp
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Biology ◽  
Gall Crabs

scholarly journals Osteology of the feeding apparatus of Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (Aves: Suliformes)

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (20) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caio José Carlos ◽  
Jéssica Guimarães Alvarenga ◽  
Mariana Scain Mazzochi
Keyword(s):  
Water Surface ◽  
Water Resistance ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Broad Area ◽  
Anterior Neck ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Feeding Biology ◽  
Flying Fish ◽  
Sula Leucogaster ◽  
External Forces

In this paper, we describe the skulls of Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens (Fregatidae) and Brown Booby (Sulidae) Sula leucogaster, with focus on the structures associated with the Musculi mandibulae. We discuss the results in the context of the feeding biology of the two species, which feed mainly on flying fish and squids. Frigatebirds capture prey from just above, or just below, the water surface in flight. The hook-shaped Apex maxillae in F. magnificens can be viewed as an adaptation for grasping prey from near the water surface. Boobies catch prey by plunging; thus, the dorsoventrally flattened skull and conical bill of S. leucogaster may reduce water resistance when it dives, or swims underwater. The bill is long in both species, such that it is on average 70% of the whole skull length in F. magnificens and 60% in S. leucogaster. Consequently, the Mm. mandibulae in the two species are more posteriorly positioned relative to the Apex rostri. This results in low mechanical advantage for the mandible opening-closing lever, indicating adaptations for a fast, rather than a strong, bite. Fast-moving mandibles would be advantageous for ‘mandibulating’ prey while swallowing. The Fossa musculorum temporalium and the Palatum osseum in both species provide a broad area for origins of the Musculus adductor mandibulae externus (all parts) and the Musculus pterygoideus. The Processus orbitalis quadrati is longer and thicker in F. magnificens than in S. leucogaster, and so is the Musculus pseudotemporalis profundus. We suggest that Mm. adductores mandibulae are relatively well developed in the two species; therefore, their mandibulae are still probably capable of a powerful adduction. In both species there is a mechanisms that contribute to protect the jaws from disarticulation and damage. Such mechanism involves the incorporation of a ‘flange-like’ Crista intercotylare on the Margo medialis cotylae medialis fossae articularis quadratica that grips the Condylus medialis quadrati. In S. leucogaster, the retractor-stop ‘notch’ formed by Ossa lacrimale et nasale also serves to protect the jaws against sudden external forces when birds are diving or swimming underwater for prey. A more detailed hypothesis for the jaw movements and strength in F. magnificens and in S. leucogaster and their relation with feeding habits should necessarily incorporate data on the jaw and anterior neck musculatures.

Biogeography and Host Usage of Coral-Associated Crustaceans: Barnacles, Copepods, and Gall Crabs as Model Organisms

2020 ◽  
pp. 183-215
Author(s):  
Benny K. K. Chan ◽  
Kingsley J. H. Wong ◽  
Yu-Rong Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
West Pacific ◽  
Pacific Waters ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Diverse Groups ◽  
Gall Crabs

Most of the diverse groups of crustaceans associated with scleractinian and fire corals form symbiotic relationship with their coral hosts. Coral-associated barnacles include species from the orders Acrothoracica and Thoracica. Most of the coral-associated barnacles belong to the family Pyrgomatidae in Thoracica. Within Pyrgomatidae, the subfamily Ceratoconchinae contains mostly extant species and is present from Florida through the Caribbean to Brazilian waters. The subfamily Megatrematinae has lower species diversity and has a cosmopolitan distribution (except the Eastern Pacific). The Pyrgomatinae are the most species-rich subfamily and distributed only in Indo-West Pacific waters. Host usage of pyrgomatinid barnacles varies spatially, probably related to coral host diversity. Copepods are the most common and most abundant coral-associated crustaceans, often associated with scleractinian, gorgonian, and alcyonacean corals. More than 90% of coral-associated copepods are endemic to the Indo-West Pacific. In contrast, only a few species (<10%) have been discovered from the Atlantic due to several historical perturbations reducing the diversity of their coral hosts. The communities of coral-associated copepods thus show dramatic differences between geographic regions, notably between the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Brachyurans of the family Cryptochiridae (gall crabs) are obligate associates or parasites, of scleractinian coral hosts in tropical and subtropical seas, being a monophyletic group of only 52 species, from the intertidal to the deep sea (to 512 m) habitats with most (46) recorded in the seas of the tropical Indo-West Pacific and none being cosmopolitan. Atlantic species of Cryptochiridae, apparently not phylogenetically related, display less strict host specificity than their Indo-West Pacific counterparts. Current phylogenetic understandings of the group remain preliminary, while one consistent Indo-West Pacific clade reflects rapid species diversification during the last ~15 million years.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document