Morphology and behavior of the feeding apparatus in Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Amphibia: Caudata).

Cine and high-speed videographic analyses of feeding in Cryptobranchus alleganiensis demonstrate that prey are captured by either inertial suction or a strike combined with suction. Movements of cephalic elements during capture are generally similar to those of other suction-feeding vertebrates but more variable than those of most aquatic salamanders. Following capture, prey frequently are manipulated and transported into and out of the buccal cavity across the teeth.