Abstract
Dermal denticles are unique tooth-like structures embedded in the skin of sharks and rays that protect them from predators and ectoparasites, reduce mechanical abrasion and possibly minimize swimming-induced drag. Here, we show that juvenile lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) also use this body armour to anchor food items near their tail so that bite-sized pieces can be torn away by rapid jaw and head movements. This scale-rasp behaviour is novel among fishes and suggests a new role for skin in the feeding ecology of sharks. Scale rasping may be important ecologically because it could function to increase the dietary breadth and growth potential of juveniles.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (682.9 KB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Jayne Bruce C., Voris Harold K., Ng Peter K. L. Snake circumvents constraints on prey size. Nature. 2002 Jul 11;418(6894):143–143. doi: 10.1038/418143a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- doi: 10.1098/rspb.1998.0407. [DOI] [PMC free article] [Google Scholar]