Foods and Feeding
v Digestive
System
o
Differences in morphology correspond to
different diets
o
Basic structure:
v Buccal cavity - teeth, tongue, and
palate
v Pharynx and esophagus
v Stomach, small intestine, large
intestine and external opening - cloaca (vent) or anal opening
v Dentition
o
Feeding specializations in dentition and
skulls relate to dietary habits
v Modes
of Feeding
o
Insectivorous
v
Ex: echidnas, shrews, armadillos, bats,
aardvarks, anteaters
v
Dentition typified by numerous sharp
teeth with sharp cones and blades
o
In many forms, lower incisors are procumbent to aid in grasping prey
o
Short alimentary canal, no cecum
v
Aerial insectivores
v
Arboreal insectivores
v
Terrestrial insectivores
o
Myrmecophagous
o
Eimer’s
organs
o
Carnivorous
v
Ex: hyenas, lions, wolves, otters,
weasels
v
Versatile dentition: strong skulls,
jaws, and teeth
o
Carnassial teeth
o
Often well developed temporalis muscle
v
Short alimentary canal; cecum small or
absent
v
Aerial carnivores
o
Sanguinivorous
v
Terrestrial carnivores
v
Aquatic carnivores
o
Piscivorous
o
Herbivorous
v
Ex: kangaroos, sloths, elephants,
gorillas, cows
v
Canines often reduced or absent; broad
molars are adapted for crushing, shredding, and grinding fibrous plant tissue
o
Often diastema between incisors and
cheek teeth
o
Major jaw muscles are masseter and
pterygoideaus, less reliance on temporalis muscle
v
Long intestine with either simple
stomach (nonruminant) or one with internal folds that separates functional
chambers (ruminants)
o
Coprophagy:
o
Symbiotic organisms in alimentary canal
o
Foregut Fermentation
o
Hindgut Fermentation
v
Gnawing mammals: rodents and lagomorphs
o
Large gnawing incisors, diastema, often
lack premolars
o
Often have internal or external cheek
pouches that open near the angle of the mouth
v
Other feeding terms associated with vegetarians:
o
Granivory:
o
Folivory:
o
Frugivory:
o
Nectarivory:
o
Gumivory:
o
Mycophagous:
o
Omnivorous
v
Ex: humans, opossums, pigs, bears,
raccoons
v
Versatile dentition
v
Elongated small intestine, poorly
developed cecum