The branchial basket in teleost feeding

In teleosts, feeding is effected principally by suction and food is handled by the branchial basket. Preys are carried to the oesophagus by the pharyn geal jaws (PJs). The pharyngobranchial bones constitute the upper pharyngea l jaws (UPJs) and the 5th ceratobranchial bones, the lower pharyngeal jaws (LPJs). In lower teleosts, these jaws have well-separated spindly parts att ached to the neurocranium, pectoral girdle, and hyoid bar; they only transp ort food and LPJ activity predominates. In acanthopterygians, the PJs becom e stronger, the left and right ceratobranchials fuse into one LPJ, and the pharyngobranchials join together to form two big UPJs articulating with the neurocranium. In labrids and scarids, the LPJ is also joined to the pector al girdle. In acanthopterygians, a new retractor dorsalis muscle gives the UPJs the major role in food chewing and transport. Cypriniforms have develo ped original PJs with strong 5th ceratobranchials opposed to a postero-vent ral neurocranial plate. Small-sized preys and food particles are seized by the gill rakers, small skeletal pieces supported by the branchial arches.