'Alien' jaws help moray eels feed

User rating: 4.7 / 5 after 22 vote(s)

These X-rays show the normal position of the pharyngeal jaws (upper) and how they can move forward into the mouth to seize food (lower). Credit: Rita Mehta Section of Evolution and Ecology and Candi Stafford School of Veterinary Medicine UC Davis
These X-rays show the normal position of the pharyngeal jaws (upper), and how they can move forward into the mouth to seize food (lower). Credit: Rita Mehta, Section of Evolution and Ecology and Candi Stafford, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis

Moray eels have a unique way of feeding reminiscent of a science fiction thriller, researchers at UC Davis have discovered. After seizing prey in its jaws, a second set of jaws located in the moray's throat reaches forward into the mouth, grabs the food and carries it back to the esophagus for swallowing.


Full story »
All News summaries from General Science news
All News summaries for September 05, 2007

Over 200 narwhal trapped in Canadian ice

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
At least 200 narwhal whales in Canada's Arctic, trapped by winter ice that is setting in around them and facing starvation or suffocation, must be culled, officials said Friday.

Scientists identify blood component that turns bacteria virulent

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute have discovered the key chemical that signals Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, to become lethal. This finding opens up new avenues of exploration ...

Portuguese dinosaur tail's sale sparks controversy

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
A Portuguese bulldozer driver has sparked controversy in his country by up putting a dinosaur fossil he found 10 years ago for sale on the Internet.

Teens' Online Safety Improved by Education, Research Shows

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Think protecting young teenagers on the Internet is important? Then be sure they think it's important, too, according to a forthcoming article in IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication.

Bulgarian archaeologists unearth ancient chariot

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Archaeologists have unearthed an elaborately decorated 1,800-year-old chariot sheathed in bronze at an ancient Thracian tomb in southeastern Bulgaria, the head of the excavation said Friday. "The ...
Goto Archive PhysOrg Forum Goto Archive Video Goto Archive Editorials Goto Archive Free Magazines Goto Archive Newsletter

News Archive