Showing 8 posts tagged teeth

Parrotfish Teeth
Parrotfish are named for their dentition, which also is distinct from that of other labrids. Their numerous teeth are arranged in a tightly-packed mosaic on the external surface of the jaw bones, forming a parrot-like beak with which they rasp algae from coral and other rocky substrates (which contributes to the process of bioerosion).
Although they are considered to be herbivores, parrotfish eat a wide variety of reef organisms, and they are not necessarily vegetarian. Species such as the green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) include coral (polyps) in their diet.
Their feeding activity is important for the production and distribution of coral sands in the reef biome, and can prevent algae from choking coral. The teeth grow continuously, replacing material worn away by feeding.
One parrotfish can produce 90 kg of sand each year!!!
© Ivan Choong 

Parrotfish Teeth

Parrotfish are named for their dentition, which also is distinct from that of other labrids. Their numerous teeth are arranged in a tightly-packed mosaic on the external surface of the jaw bones, forming a parrot-like beak with which they rasp algae from coral and other rocky substrates (which contributes to the process of bioerosion).

Although they are considered to be herbivores, parrotfish eat a wide variety of reef organisms, and they are not necessarily vegetarian. Species such as the green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) include coral (polyps) in their diet.

Their feeding activity is important for the production and distribution of coral sands in the reef biome, and can prevent algae from choking coral. The teeth grow continuously, replacing material worn away by feeding.

One parrotfish can produce 90 kg of sand each year!!!

© Ivan Choong 

High-res rhamphotheca:

Diagrammatic transverse view of the buccal cavity of a gastropod, showing the radula and how it is used.
The rest of the body of the snail is shown in green. The food is shown in blue. Muscles that control the radula are shown in brown. The surface of the radula ribbon, with numerous teeth, is shown as a zig-zag line.
(e = esophagus, m = mouth, mx = maxilla, o = odontophore, op = odontophore, protractur muscle, r = radula,  rp = radula protractor muscle, rr = radula retractor muscle)
(via: Wikipedia)

rhamphotheca:

Diagrammatic transverse view of the buccal cavity of a gastropod, showing the radula and how it is used.

The rest of the body of the snail is shown in green. The food is shown in blue. Muscles that control the radula are shown in brown. The surface of the radula ribbon, with numerous teeth, is shown as a zig-zag line.

(e = esophagus, m = mouth, mx = maxilla, o = odontophore, op = odontophore, protractur muscle, r = radula,  rp = radula protractor muscle, rr = radula retractor muscle)

(via: Wikipedia)