Snout As Related To Optimal Foraging Theory
According to optimal foraging theory organisms forage in such a way as to maximize their net energy intake per unit time. In other words, they behave in such a way as to find, capture and consume food containing the most calories while expending the least amount of time possible in doing so. With extremely short handling times for eating very small prey, star-moles can profitably consume foods that are not worth the time or effort of slower animals, and to have a food category to themselves is a big advantage. Furthermore, just behind the 11th ray of the star, the star-mole has modified front teeth that form the equivalent of a pair of tweezers. High-speed video shows these specialized teeth are used to pluck tiny prey from the ground. Neuroscientist Kenneth Catania reports, "It is also clear from the behavior that the teeth and the star act as an integrated unit—the 11th rays, located directly in front on the teeth, spread apart as the teeth move forward to grasp small food. Thus, tweezer-like teeth and the exquisitely sensitive star likely evolved together as a means to better find and handle small prey quickly...it appears that the ability to rapidly detect and consume small prey was the major selective advantage that drove the evolution of the star."
Read more about this topic: Star-nosed Mole
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