Measurement of jaw viscoelasticity in newborn and adult lesser spotted dogfish <i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i> (L., 1758)

Abstract

Jaw viscoelasticity of newborn and adult lesser spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula was measured using dynamic mechanical analysis. Jaws of newborn animals were significantly more viscoelastic than those of adults. As a result, newborn lesser spotted dogfish might be unable to consume hard prey items, unlike adults.