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Related Concept Videos

Fixed Action Patterns01:06

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.
Predator-Prey Interactions02:39

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.

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A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms
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Prey processing in the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).

Nicolai Konow1, Belma Krijestorac, Christopher P J Sanford

  • 1Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA. nkonow@brown.edu

Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
|April 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) exhibit unique head-bobbing for prey processing, distinct from other aquatic vertebrates. This behavior highlights diverse feeding strategies in fish evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Ichthyology
  • Functional Morphology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Prey processing is crucial for aquatic vertebrates.
  • Head-bobbing in Betta splendens was previously uncharacterized.
  • Existing knowledge on teleost prey processing includes raking and pharyngognathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the unique prey processing behavior of head-bobbing in Betta splendens.
  • To compare head-bobbing with known prey processing mechanisms in other aquatic vertebrates.
  • To understand the functional morphology and evolutionary implications of Betta splendens' feeding behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of head-bobbing in Betta splendens during prey capture.
  • Comparison of head-bobbing kinematics with raking and pharyngognathy.
  • High-speed videofluoroscopy to analyze hyoid bone movements during prey processing.

Main Results:

  • Head-bobbing involves sustained mouth occlusion and cranial elevation, similar to raking.
  • Hyoid and pectoral girdle protraction during head-bobbing differs from raking and pharyngognathy.
  • Betta splendens' prey processing utilizes intraoral and oropharyngeal dentition, extending beyond the pharyngeal region.

Conclusions:

  • Head-bobbing in Betta splendens is a distinct prey processing behavior.
  • This behavior demonstrates convergent evolution in aquatic vertebrate feeding strategies.
  • Ancestral prey processing mechanisms may persist alongside specialized feeding adaptations like pharyngognathy in neoteleosts.