H. Greven et al., DENTIGEROUS BONES AND DENTITION IN THE HEMIRAMPHID FISH DERMOGENYS PUSILLUS (ATHERINIFORMES, TELEOSTEI), ANNALS OF ANATOMY-ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER, 179(1), 1997, pp. 21-32
Structure and arrangement of the teeth were studied in the hemiramphid
Dermogenys pusillus, using scanning electron microscopy as well as cl
eared and stained specimens. The teeth of the jaws are small, monocusp
id, and tilted towards the esophagus. They are arranged along the late
ral edges of the premaxillas and dentaries. Each premaxilla bears addi
tional teeth on an osseous bar extending from rostro-lateral to medio-
lingual. The dentition of both dentaries curves slightly within the ca
vity of the mouth and gently tapers off laterorostrad just beyond the
tip of the upper jaw The part of the lower jaw which typically protrud
es beyond the upper jaw, is without teeth. One dorsal and two lateral
tooth-bearing bony plates (tooth plates) are found in the pharyngeal r
egion. Their teeth are largely irregular in arrangement. The teeth on
the two lateral plates are small and monocuspid, whereas the dorsal an
d the ventral tooth plate possess additional strong bi- and tricuspid
teeth. The teeth of the jaws and of the pharyngeal region obviously ha
ve a bony pedicel (''attachment bone'') which is asymmetric in all tee
th. An elastic suture connects the cone of dentine with the bony pedic
el. The special construction of the teeth and their arrangement on the
various dentigerous bones will be discussed with respect to their fun
ction in catching prey.