Pharyngeal Jaws

Mandibulae pharyngeales

A second set of jaws deep in the throat of many bony fish, especially cichlids and wrasses - independently movable for processing food.

Region: Head Unique to: bony

📖 Overview

Pharyngeal jaws are one of the most under-appreciated evolutionary innovations in fish. Cichlids and wrasses use their outer jaws for grasping and their pharyngeal jaws for processing - a division of labour that has enabled the astonishing diet diversification of cichlid radiations in African Rift lakes.

⚙️ Function

Crushing, grinding, and processing captured prey before swallowing.

✨ Fun Fact

The 1000+ cichlid species in Lake Malawi diversified so rapidly because pharyngeal jaws freed their outer jaws for specialised food capture without sacrificing chewing power.