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Evolution and Functional Morphology of the Cephalic Lobes in Batoids Samantha Lynn Mulvany University of South Florida, [email protected]

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Evolution and Functional Morphology of the Cephalic Lobes in Batoids Samantha Lynn Mulvany University of South Florida, Smulvany@Mail.Usf.Edu University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 12-11-2013 Evolution and Functional Morphology of the Cephalic Lobes in Batoids Samantha Lynn Mulvany University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Anatomy Commons, Biology Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Scholar Commons Citation Mulvany, Samantha Lynn, "Evolution and Functional Morphology of the Cephalic Lobes in Batoids" (2013). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5083 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Evolution and Functional Morphology of the Cephalic Lobes in Batoids by Samantha Lynn Mulvany A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Integrative Biology College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Philip J. Motta, Ph.D. Stephen M. Deban, Ph.D. Henry R. Mushinsky, Ph.D. Jason R. Rohr, Ph.D. Date of Approval: December 11, 2013 Keywords: Novel Structure, Modulation, Independent Contrast, Anatomy Copyright © 2014, Samantha Lynn Mulvany DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this to my family and friends. My family has always been very supportive of my academic endeavors, nurturing my love of biology from early childhood to this very day. My grandfather, who passed away on the day that I was accepted into the program, has been with me every step of the way on this bittersweet journey. My loving husband, who I met near the end of my graduate work, has been my own personal cheering section, encouraging me to finish up so that I can pursue a teaching career. Most of my friends have taken on the dual role of helping me on an academic and social level. My kidneys: Laura Habegger, Jackie Guzy and Celina Bellanceau always have my back (the small of my back) and I don’t know what I would do without them in my life. Susie Piacenza, Teresa Piacenza, Ilgin Hasbora, Neal Halstead, Martin Berdugo, Krissy Morrow, Maranda Holley, Nick Larghi, Kerry Bohl, Jessica Davis, David Jennings and Pat Yarnot have made my time in Tampa the most memorable and fun part of my life. My advisor, Phil Motta, I consider part of my family. He has done so much for me that I hesitate to even attempt listing the thousands of large and small things I can manage to think of. He is the most mind-blowingly knowledgeable person I know, the best teacher/mentor I’ve ever had, and is like a second father to me. He has changed my life and inspired me to try and inspire others. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many people I would like to thank. Phil Motta has supported, advised and inspired me from start to finish on this project. My committee members, Stephen Deban, Henry Mushinsky and Jason Rohr, have been extremely kind and patient with this project and me. I thank them for their support, expertise and critical review of my research. My labmates: Laura Habegger, Kyle Mara, Lisa Whitenack, Dan Huber, Dayv Lowry, Jayne Gardiner, Angela Collins and Amber Ferguson, as well as Mason Dean, Jessica Davis, Janne Pfeiffenberger, David Jennings, and Martin Berdugo have been instrumental in helping me with all aspects of this project. Jack Morris, Carl Lauer, Matt Seguin and the rest of people at Mote Marine Laboratory helped immensely with providing specimens and support. Paul Anderson, Eric Hovland and the rest of the people at the Florida Aquarium were extremely kind and together we spent hundreds of dollars pampering shrimp for 40 days in quarantine before feeding them to stingrays. HJ Walker of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Rob Robins and George Burgess of the Florida Natural History Museum, Jeff Williams and Sandra Raredon of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Richard Spieler of Nova Southeastern University and Captain Roy Herndon helped me gain access to rarer specimens for dissections. The Keys Marine Laboratory was used for housing during specimen collection. The USF Integrative Biology department, USF Graduate and Profession Student Council, USF Tharpe Fellowship and the Porter Foundation deserve a huge thanks for helping to fund this project. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iii List of Figures.................................................................................................................................iv Abstract...........................................................................................................................................vi Chapter One: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 References............................................................................................................................6 Chapter Two: The morphology of the cephalic lobes and anterior pectoral fins in six species of batoids.......................................................................................................................8 Abstract................................................................................................................................8 Introduction..........................................................................................................................9 Materials and Methods ......................................................................................................12 Specimens..............................................................................................................12 Musculature and Skeleton......................................................................................13 Electrosensory Pores..............................................................................................15 Results ...............................................................................................................................16 Skeleton .................................................................................................................16 Musculature ...........................................................................................................20 Electrosensory Pores..............................................................................................22 Discussion..........................................................................................................................23 Skeleton .................................................................................................................24 Musculature ...........................................................................................................27 Electrosensory Pores..............................................................................................29 Conclusions........................................................................................................................31 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................32 References..........................................................................................................................32 Tables and figures..............................................................................................................37 Chapter Three: Prey capture kinematics in batoids using different prey types: investigating the role of the cephalic lobes..............................................................................51 Abstract..............................................................................................................................51 Introduction........................................................................................................................52 Methods .............................................................................................................................55 Kinematic capture variables ..................................................................................57 Mapping distance of prey ......................................................................................59 Statistics.................................................................................................................59 Results ...............................................................................................................................60 Prey capture kinematics.........................................................................................61 i Mapping distance of prey ......................................................................................63 Discussion..........................................................................................................................64 Cephalic lobes and prey capture kinematics..........................................................64 Modulation of prey capture kinematics .................................................................69 Feeding success .....................................................................................................70 Conclusions........................................................................................................................72
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