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Was the Devonian placoderm Titanichthys a suspension feeder?
Samuel J Coatham1, Jakob Vinther1, Emily J Rayfield1
1Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK.
Royal Society Open Science
|June 16, 2020
Summary
Giant placoderm fish Titanichthys likely fed on plankton using a gaping ram feeding strategy. Its jaw structure was ill-suited for biting, supporting its role as a suspension feeder.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Functional Morphology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Large nektonic suspension feeders have evolved independently multiple times across diverse taxa.
- The evolution of these 'gentle giants' offers insights into anatomical and behavioral shifts.
- Understanding their distribution reveals links to ocean productivity and food web dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feeding behavior of the Late Devonian placoderm Titanichthys.
- To investigate the potential for microphagy and other feeding strategies in Titanichthys.
- To compare jaw mechanics of Titanichthys with other placoderms and extant taxa.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of jaw mechanics.
- Finite-element modeling of lower jaws for Titanichthys termieri, Dunkleosteus terrelli, and Tafilalichthys lavocati.
- Comparison with extant large-bodied taxa exhibiting diverse feeding strategies.
Main Results:
- Finite-element models showed Titanichthys jaws had considerably less resistance to stress compared to other placoderms.
- Jaw stress resistance in Titanichthys was comparable to extant suspension feeders.
- Jaws were ill-suited for biting and crushing, but suitable for gaping ram feeding.
Conclusions:
- Results support the hypothesis that Titanichthys was a suspension feeder.
- The jaw morphology of Titanichthys is consistent with a gaping ram feeding mechanism.
- This study clarifies the feeding ecology of a major Paleozoic vertebrate.
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