1
|
El Hossny T, Cavin L, Kaplan U, Schwermann AH, Samankassou E, Friedman M. The first articulated skeletons of enigmatic Late Cretaceous billfish-like actinopterygians. R Soc Open Sci 2023; 10:231296. [PMID: 38077217 PMCID: PMC10698480 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Only few candidates of Mesozoic fishes with a similar body plan and ecological niche to the modern billfishes are suggested as their analogues. Several specimens were recovered from Cenomanian deposits in Germany and Lebanon and display a billfish-like fusiform body with elongated premaxillae. They are found close to the plethodids and show a unique combination of characters (rostrum pointed and extremely elongated, double articular head of the quadrate, anteroposteriorly elongated abdominal centra indicating a slender body and different types of scales on the body) allowing their inclusion in a new genus. Two 'Protosphyraena' species are also assigned to this new genus. This fish can be considered as an ecological analogue to the extant xiphioids sharing their feeding habits. This fish was abundant and roamed, as an apex predator, the Central Tethys and the Boreal realms during the Cenomanian.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara El Hossny
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue des Maraîchers 13, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Département de Géologie et de Paléontologie, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de la Ville de Genève, CP 6434, 1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland
| | - Lionel Cavin
- Département de Géologie et de Paléontologie, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de la Ville de Genève, CP 6434, 1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland
| | | | - Achim H. Schwermann
- LWL-Museum für Naturkunde Westfälisches Landesmuseum mit Planetarium, Sentruper Strasse 285, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Elias Samankassou
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue des Maraîchers 13, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matt Friedman
- Museum of Paleontology and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Häge J, Hansen MJ, Pacher K, Dhellemmes F, Domenici P, Steffensen JF, Breuker M, Krause S, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Bach P, Sabarros PS, Zaslansky P, Mahlow K, Schauer M, Müller J, Krause J. Lacunae rostralis: A new structure on the rostrum of sailfish Istiophorus platypterus. J Fish Biol 2022; 100:1205-1213. [PMID: 35194781 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Recent comparative studies of billfishes (Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae) have provided evidence of differences in the form and function of the rostra (bill) among species. Here, we report the discovery of a new structure, lacuna rostralis, on the rostra of sailfish Istiophorus platypterus, which is absent on the rostra of swordfish Xiphias gladius, striped marlin Kajikia audax and blue marlin Makaira nigricans. The lacunae rostralis are small cavities that contain teeth. They were found on the ventral rostrum surface of all I. platypterus specimens examined and dorsally in half of them. Ventrally, the lacunae rostralis were most prominent in the mid-section of the rostrum. Dorsally, they occurred closer to the tip. The density of lacunae rostralis increased towards the rostrum tip but, because they are smaller in size, the percentage of rostrum coverage decreased. The teeth located within the lacunae rostralis were found to be different in size, location and orientation from the previously identified micro-teeth of billfish. We propose two potential functions of the lacunae rostralis that both relate to the use of the bill in feeding: mechanoreception of prey before tapping it with the bill and more efficient prey handling via the creation of suction, or physical grip.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Häge
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthew J Hansen
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Korbinian Pacher
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Félicie Dhellemmes
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - John F Steffensen
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Michael Breuker
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Stefan Krause
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Guido Fritsch
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pascal Bach
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Sète, France
| | - Philippe S Sabarros
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Sète, France
| | - Paul Zaslansky
- Department for Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Centrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Mahlow
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Schauer
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Müller
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Krause
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Habegger L, Motta P, Huber D, Pulaski D, Grosse I, Dumont E. Feeding Biomechanics in Billfishes: Investigating the Role of the Rostrum through Finite Element Analysis. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 303:44-52. [PMID: 30623594 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Billfishes are large pelagic fishes that have an extreme elongation of the upper jaw bones forming the rostrum. Recent kinematic and biomechanical studies show the rostrum to be associated to feeding, however, it is less clear how the wide range of morphologies present among billfish may affect their striking behavior. In this study, we aim to assess the mechanical performance of different rostrum morphologies under loads that simulate feeding and to test existing hypotheses of species-specific feeding behaviors. We use finite element analysis (FEA)-a physics-based method that predicts patterns of stress and strain in morphologically complex structures under specified boundary conditions-to test hypotheses on the form and mechanical performance of billfish rostra. Patterns of von Mises stress and total strain energy suggest that distinct rostral morphologies may be functionally segregated. The rounder blue marlin rostrum may be better suited for a wide range of slashing motions to disable prey, whereas the more flattened swordfish rostrum appears to be more specialized for lateral swiping during prey capture. The almost homogenous stress distribution along each rostrum implies their possible use as a predatory weapon regardless of morphological differences between species. The mechanical implications of other less commonly reported behaviors such as spearing are discussed, as well as the potential impact of hydrodynamics in shaping the evolution of the rostrum in this lineage. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Habegger
- Department of Biology, Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, Florida.,Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida
| | - Philip Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida
| | - Daniel Huber
- Department of Biology, The University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida
| | - Daniel Pulaski
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts.,Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 160 Governor's Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Ian Grosse
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 160 Governor's Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Dumont
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts.,School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Rd, Merced, California
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Loose EL, Hilton EJ, Graves JE. Comparative morphology of the scales of roundscale spearfish Tetrapturus georgii and white marlin Kajikia albida. J Fish Biol 2017; 90:1548-1569. [PMID: 28097667 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The comparative morphology of the scales of roundscale spearfish Tetrapturus georgii and white marlin Kajikia albida was investigated. In addition, variation in scale morphology across different body regions within each species was analysed. Although considerable morphological variation was observed among scales from different body regions in both species, scales of K. albida generally have pointed anterior ends, fewer posterior points and are more heavily imbricated than those of T. georgii, which are frequently rounded anteriorly, often have many posterior points and are separated farther within the skin. In all sampled body regions and individuals, scales of T. georgii are significantly broader and have a lower length-to-width aspect ratio than those of K. albida. Superficial to the scales are denticular plates, which are ossified formations occurring on the surface layer of the epidermis; these were observed and described for T. georgii, K. albida and blue marlin Makaira nigricans. Detailed scale descriptions allow for a more accurate characterization of the variation within and differences between these two species and could potentially be a valuable tool for investigating istiophorid systematics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E L Loose
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, 1375 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A
| | - E J Hilton
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, 1375 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A
| | - J E Graves
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, 1375 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Domenici P, Wilson ADM, Kurvers RHJM, Marras S, Herbert-Read JE, Steffensen JF, Krause S, Viblanc PE, Couillaud P, Krause J. How sailfish use their bills to capture schooling prey. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20140444. [PMID: 24759865 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The istiophorid family of billfishes is characterized by an extended rostrum or 'bill'. While various functions (e.g. foraging and hydrodynamic benefits) have been proposed for this structure, until now no study has directly investigated the mechanisms by which billfishes use their rostrum to feed on prey. Here, we present the first unequivocal evidence of how the bill is used by Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) to attack schooling sardines in the open ocean. Using high-speed video-analysis, we show that (i) sailfish manage to insert their bill into sardine schools without eliciting an evasive response and (ii) subsequently use their bill to either tap on individual prey targets or to slash through the school with powerful lateral motions characterized by one of the highest accelerations ever recorded in an aquatic vertebrate. Our results demonstrate that the combination of stealth and rapid motion make the sailfish bill an extremely effective feeding adaptation for capturing schooling prey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Domenici
- IAMC-CNR, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, , Località Sa Mardini, 09170 Torregrande, Oristano, Italy, Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, , Mueggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany, Department of Mathematics, University of Uppsala, , Uppsala, Sweden, Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Uppsala, , Uppsala, Sweden, Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, , 3000 Helsingør, Denmark, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences, , 23562 Lübeck, Germany, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, , Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany, Département de la Licence Sciences et Technologies, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, , 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France, Department of Biology, Carleton University, , 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|