Suction feeding strategies of two species of Mediterranean Serranidae (Serranus cabrilla and Serranus scriba)

A comparative study of the suction feeding strategies in Serranus cabrilla and Serranus scriba was carried out. Several specimens from both species we re filmed at high speed. From these films, kinetics of the suction movement s and dynamic parameters, such as volume increase/time, were calculated. A simulation model of the hydrodynamics of suction feeding was used to calcul ate velocities, accelerations and pressure waves. Simulation results are wi thin the range of those previously found with experimental methods for othe r species. The results showed that feeding strategies are different. S. cab rilla is feeding as from an ambush, with a sudden big head expansion wherea s S. scriba expands its head more gradually. The graudal increase could be related to a feeding mode in which an important component of the feeding fl ow is contributed to swimming. These differences are discussed in the conte xt of the ecology of the species.