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Freshwater drum (Pharyngeal teeth)

Aplodinotus grunniens

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Pharyngeal "throat" teeth are located on the last gill arch at the posterior region of a fish's head. They are visible only upon lifing off the gill cover (operculum) and exposing the gills beneath. The arrangement and number of these teeth are specific for certain families and species of fish.

Habitat:

Joe Wheeler state park, Alabama

Notes:

Thanks Goody for the ID!

Reference Links:

Pharyngeal teeth from a Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) | Science Buzz

Species ID Suggestions

Freshwater drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Reference Link
Aaron_G
2

Comments (10)
HemaShah
Nature never ceases to amaze!
KarenL
It's cool isn't it! I always assumed the only teeth fish had were along their jaws like most other organisms!
KarenL
Of course, now all I need to do is to work out how it ended up several 100 feet from the river - we saw around 15 herons close by so I'm guessing they might have something to do with it!
KarenL
I would never have guessed this! I'm very embarrassed I put this in fungi!
Aaron_G
I ran across one last year and I went through all sorts of channels trying to identify the thing. I have to admit that it's one of the more interesting biofacts I've dealt with.
KarenL
Awesome! Thanks Goody!
Aaron_G
These are the pharyngeal teeth of the fish. http://www.sciencebuzz.org/museum/object/2003_04_pharyngeal_teeth_from_freshwater_drum_aplodinotus_grunniens
Aaron_G
I know exactly what this is because I had to do some digging around to ID the same item!

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PublishedFebruary 25, 2012

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