Suction‐feeding performance in invasive alien giant salamanders within the functional framework of Andrias

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Hybridisation between Andrias japonicus and A. cf. davidianus lineages is a major conservation concern in Japan, but whether hybrid individuals retain the suction-feeding pattern described for non-hybrid Andrias remains unclear. We analysed suction feeding in six hybrid giant salamanders using 20 captive feeding events recorded with lateral and frontal high-speed videography. Skull, lower jaw, hyobranchial and prey movements were digitised to quantify trajectories, velocities and accelerations during the active expansion phase of prey capture. The hybrids displayed the characteristic suction-feeding sequence described for cryptobranchids, including mandibular opening, hyobranchial expansion, prey acceleration and capture once suction was initiated. Event-level variation occurred in relation to prey position, attack configuration and individual morphometrics, highlighting the flexibility of suction feeding performance among hybrid specimens. Overall, hybrid specimens retained suction-feeding kinematics within the functional pattern previously described for Andrias, suggesting that hybridisation does not disrupt the core biomechanical organisation of prey capture within the functional range examined here. When compared with published data for non-hybrid A. davidianus and A. japonicus, these results indicate a broadly conserved suction feeding mechanism rather than a distinct hybrid-specific feeding mode. Therefore, any potential ecological advantage of hybrids is unlikely to result from a fundamental change in the suction feeding sequence alone.

Source: Journal of Anatomy

DOI: 10.1111/joa.70262

Authors: M. López‐Pachón, S. Hayashi, J. Fortuny, J. Marcé‐Nogué

Institutions: Okayama University of Science, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, The University of Osaka, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont

Language: English

Topic: Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies

Subfield: Anatomy

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,050

Funders: Centres de Recerca de Catalunya, European Commission, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, NextGenerationEU

OpenAlex ID: W7223450607