One of the most significant evolutionary innovations in early vertebrates was the jaw. Jawless fishes such as lampreys and hagfish have rows of teeth around the mouth opening which are used to rasp at prey, whereas most modern jawed fish and other vertebrates (collectively Gnathostomes) have an upper and lower jaw, with the lower jaw usually…
Tag: jaws
#wormwednesday: Scale worm jaws reveal cannibalistic habits
Most worms seem pretty harmless – no one ever worries about a nasty bite from an earthworm. But they’re not all so benign. Many species of polychaetes have fearsome jaws that they use to feed on unsuspecting prey – including other worms. These alien-looking gnashers are formed from strengthened collagen and can extend all…
#fossilfriday: Amber-encased spider’s head revealed
Although this image of a huntsman spider’s head looks modern, it represents the first clear view of a 49 million year-old fossil. Eusprassus crassipes remains encased in resin were scanned using X-ray computed tomography to reconstruct its anatomy in stunning detail for the first time. Researchers from the University of Manchester were able to conclusively described the…
Anatomy To You 