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- Title
A kinematic study of suction feeding and associated behavior in the long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas (Traill)
- Authors
Werth, Alexander
- Abstract
Analysis of videotaped feeding sequences provides novel documentation of suction feeding in captive juvenile long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). Swimming and stationary whales were videotaped while feeding at the surface, mid-water, and bottom. The ingestion sequence includes a preparatory phase with partial gape followed by jaw opening and rapid hyoid depression to suck in prey at a mean distance of 14 cm (duration 90 msec), although prey were taken from much greater distances. Depression and retraction of the large, piston-like tongue generate negative intraoral pressures for prey capture and ingestion. Food was normally ingested without grasping by teeth yet was manipulated with lingual, hyoid, and mandibular movement for realignment;suction was then used to transport prey into the oropharynx. Whales frequently rolled or inverted before taking prey, presumably to avoidgrasping and repositioning. Prey were sucked off the bottom or sidesof the pool without direct contact; lateral suction was used to ingest items from the sides of the mouth.
- Subjects
FORAGING behavior; ANIMAL behavior; GLOBICEPHALA melaena; MARINE biology
- Publication
Marine Mammal Science, 2000, Vol 16, Issue 2, p299
- ISSN
0824-0469
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1748-7692.2000.tb00926.x