Kinematics of the jaw and hyolingual apparatus during feeding in Caiman crocodilus.

Movements of the neck, jaws, and hyolingual apparatus during inertial feeding in Caiman crocodilus were studied by cineradiography. Analysis reveals two kinds of cycles: inertial bites (reposition, kill/crush, and transport) and swallowing cycles. They differ in their gape profile and in displacement of the neck, cranium, and hyolingual apparatus. Inertial bites are initiated by an elevation of the neck and cranium; the head is then retracted backward, the prey simultaneously being lifted by the hyolingual apparatus. Next the lower jaw is depressed, and the prey is rapidly pushed further upward by the hyolingual apparatus. Thereafter fast mouth-closure occurs with the neck and cranium being abruptly depressed, the lower jaw elevated, and the hyolingual apparatus rapidly retracted ventrally. Depression of the neck and cranium thrusts the head forward and impacts the backward moving prey more posteriorly in the oral cavity. Swallowing cycles initially involve movement of the hyoid in front of the prey followed by rapid posteroventrad retraction of the hyoid, forcing the prey into the esophagus during opening and closing of the mouth. After mouth-closure, the hyoid apparatus is again protracted. Jaws, neck, tongue, and hyoid apparatus play an active role during intertial feeding sequences. At the beginning of a feeding sequence, the hyolingual apparatus mainly moves dorsoventrally, whereas toward the end of a sequence anteroposterior displacements of the hyoid are prominent. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.