EVIDENCE FOR RAM SUSPENSION-FEEDING BY THE PISCIVORE, SERIOLA-DUMERILI (CARANGIDAE)

We have quantitatively analyzed a videotape of Seriola dumerili (Caran gidae) displaying ram suspension-feeding behavior and ram ventilation in the field. This is the first report of facultative suspension feedi ng by a piscivorous carangid. The intraoral morphology of S. dumerili is not typical of ram suspension-feeding fishes in that closely-spaced , long gill rakers are lacking. While the mechanism of particle retent ion is not known for any ram suspension-feeding fish species, scanning electron microscopy revealed denticles on the branchial surfaces of S . dumerili that could play a role in particle entrapment.