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A novel pharyngeal expansion mechanism in the yellow-spotted fanray, Platyrhina tangi (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea), with special reference to the function of the fifth ceratobranchial cartilage in batoids

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Abstract

Expansion of the ‘pharynx’ during breathing or capturing prey in fishes generally involves posteroventral retraction of the hyoid arch. However, the hyoid arch structure of batoid fishes (skates, rays, guitarfishes, and sawfishes) is unique, and how they expand the pharyngeal cavity is poorly understood. To investigate the mechanism of pharyngeal expansion during breathing in the yellow-spotted fanray, Platyrhina tangi, we conducted anatomical and kinematic investigations of the pharyngeal region. Our study revealed that the yellow-spotted fanray and sharks have different skeletal linkage systems for pharyngeal expansion. During pharyngeal expansion in the yellow-spotted fanray, the hyoid bar and branchial apparatus rotate ventrally around the hinge joint between the fifth ceratobranchial cartilage and the pectoral girdle. This pharyngeal expansion mechanism appears to be widespread among batoid fishes and is unique among cartilaginous fishes (sharks, batoids, and holocephalans). Batoid fishes possibly developed this pharyngeal expansion mechanism during early batoid evolution.

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Acknowledgments

TT was supported by a scholarship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Japan). We thank the following for providing data and specimens: Keiichi Ueda, Rui Matsumoto, Ikue Hamasaki, and other members of the staff at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. We also thank Toshio Kawai, Mamoru Yabe, Hisashi Imamura, and other HUMZ members at Hokkaido University for providing the dead specimens. Isao Sarashina and Keisuke Shimizu provided access to freeze drying equipment at the University of Tokyo. We also thank Peter Wainwright, Ryosuke Motani (University of California Davis), and one anonymous reviewer for improving the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Hokkaido University Museum, Minato-cho, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan

    Taketeru Tomita

  2. Okinawa Churashima Foundation General Research Center, Motobu-cho, Okinawa, 905-0206, Japan

    Minoru Toda & Senzo Uchida

  3. Graduate School of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Minato-cho, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan

    Yushi Yamamoto & Kazuhiro Nakaya

  4. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Motobu-cho, Okinawa, 905-0206, Japan

    Keiichi Sato

Authors
  1. Taketeru Tomita
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  2. Minoru Toda
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  3. Yushi Yamamoto
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  4. Keiichi Sato
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  5. Senzo Uchida
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  6. Kazuhiro Nakaya
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Correspondence to Taketeru Tomita.

Additional information

Communicated by A. Schmidt-Rhaesa.

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Tomita, T., Toda, M., Yamamoto, Y. et al. A novel pharyngeal expansion mechanism in the yellow-spotted fanray, Platyrhina tangi (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea), with special reference to the function of the fifth ceratobranchial cartilage in batoids. Zoomorphology 132, 317–324 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-012-0185-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-012-0185-9

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