The goal of this study was to examine the feeding kinematics of the horn sh
ark, Heterodontus francisci, a member of the most basal clade of galeomorph
sharks, the Heterodontiformes. The accessibility of the food was manipulat
ed to determine if the horn shark modulated capture. Three different method
s of presenting food were used to mimic the different positions of prey ite
ms found in the natural diet of the horn shark. Food was presented unattach
ed to the substrate, securely attached, or fitted snugly in a tube. Using h
igh-speed video kinematic analysis, capture events were examined. Heterodon
tus francisci uses inertial suction facilitated by rapid mandible depressio
n and labial cartilage protrusion to capture food. The horn shark conforms
to a capture kinematic profile characteristic of both basal and derived ine
rtial suction feeding sharks. Unusual post-capture behaviors include body l
everaging, use of the mouth to form a seal over food, and chisel-like palat
oquadrate protrusion. When presented with food of different accessibility,
Heterodontus francisci used one consistent kinematic pattern for capture th
at was not modulated. Only post-capture behaviors varied according to food
accessibility.