Moray eel

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Revision as of 15:06, 3 September 2020 by JamesCrook (talk | contribs) (Updated (using text adapted from wikicommons, describing the jaws image).)
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PC040789 Moray.JPG

Moray eels are a diverse group of eels, the one shown here found in the Red Sea.

Pharyngeal Jaws

Two diagrams of head and spine, one showing the pharyngeal jaw at rest; the other showing the jaws extended into the mouth
Moray eel jaw anatomy

Moray eels have two sets of jaws: 1) the oral jaws that capture prey; and 2) the pharyngeal jaws (similar to the jaws of the monster in the movie Alien) that launch into the mouth and pull prey from the oral jaws to the oesophagus for swallowing. Moray eels are the only known animals that use pharyngeal jaws to actively capture and restrain prey in this way.[1][2][3]

  1. ↑ (Raptorial jaws in the throat help moray eels swallow large prey)
  2. ↑ (Eels imitate alien: Fearsome fish have protruding jaws in their throats to grab prey.)
  3. ↑ (Moray Eels Are Uniquely Equipped to Pack Big Prey Into Their Narrow Bodies - NSF - National Science Foundation)
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