| |
 |
 |
Salmonids
(salmon and trout) are one of only 2 known groups of fishes
(the other being the Osteoglossomorphs) that display a
specific feeding behavior called "raking." These fish
have a row of teeth that run along the midline of the
roof of their mouths and a corresponding row of teeth
on a bony tongue. Ligaments and muscles between the anterior
portion of the lower jaw and the pectoral girdle suspend
this bony tongue. Upon catching a prey item, the fish
closes its jaw and lifts its head, stretching these ligaments
and muscles. This causes the teeth on the bony tongue
to slide past those teeth on the roof of the mouth. This
behavior is raking and is used to chew the food after
capture. |
| |
|
Currently, my research looks at this characteristic raking
behavior in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
More specifically, I am focusing on whether there are
variations in this raking behavior dependent upon the
diet on which the trout feeds. Using high-speed video,
I will be analyzing the average number of rakes per unit
time (frequency), the average angle of head elevation
(strength of rake), and overall handling time across four
different diets. |
|
|
