Masters of change: seasonal plasticity in the prey-capture behavior of the Alpine newtIchthyosaura alpestris(Salamandridae)

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.091991
• Publication Date: 2013-11-21T00:39:42Z
• Authors: Egon Heiss; Peter Aerts; Sam Van Wassenbergh
• Keywords: Terrestrial plant; Terrestrial locomotion; Terrestrial ecosystem

Transitions between aquatic and terrestrial environments are significant steps in vertebrate evolution. These transitions require major changes many biological functions, including food uptake transport. The Alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, is known to show a 'multiphasic lifestyle' where the adult shifts from an lifestyle then back every year as result of its breeding activity. correspond dramatic morphology, physiology behavior, resulting distinct morphotypes. We hypothesized that these go along with prey-capture mechanics maintain sufficiently high performance both environments. analyzed kinematics four possible modes: strikes phase, phase phase. A multivariate comparison detected kinematic differences phase-specific feeding modes. In I. alpestris uses suction-feeding mechanism for capturing prey water. By contrast, jaw-based grasping profile similar modes but elaborate lingual-based prehension capture results exhibit so-far unknown amount behavioral plasticity behavior tuned seasonal demands performance, exemplify functional mechanisms behind aquatic-terrestrial vertebrates.