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Seminar Details

Beyond “suction feeding” paradigm: The functional diversity of fish feeding is driven by auxiliary mechanisms

Date

16/05/2024

Lecturers

Prof. Roi Holzman - Tel Aviv University; and The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat

Abstract

Fish feed on a vast diversity of prey types, including phytoplankton and zooplankton, fish and vertebrates, hard- and soft-shelled prey, and algae. Yet, the functional mechanisms that support this trophic diversity are unclear. Because virtually all fish relay on generating a flow of water into their mouth to capture and transport their prey, it was assumed that variations to the capacity to generate these flows drives trophic diversity. However, our studies found that the mechanism of flow generation is highly conserved across species. In this talk I will review the key mechanisms that permit trophic diversity under strong functional constraints, focusing on the role of functional innovation and biomechanics trade-offs.

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