Biologists at the University of California, Davis, have discovered that some reef fish possess the rare ability to move their jaws from side to side, a trait uncommon among vertebrates. This adaptation, detailed in a study published May 5 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, enables fish like the Moorish Idol and surgeonfish to feed more effectively on algae and organisms growing on reefs.
Using high-speed video, researchers observed the Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) moving both its upper and lower jaws laterally, allowing it to tug food from surfaces or reach into crevices. CT scans and dissections confirmed this unique capability. The team also found similar jaw movements in surgeonfish, which use the motion to graze efficiently on algae-covered reefs.
Lead author Peter Wainwright, a professor at UC Davis, noted that such jaw mobility is nearly absent in most fish species, making this discovery significant. “It’s extremely unusual among vertebrates and has interesting ecological and evolutionary consequences,” he said. Postdoctoral researcher Michalis Mihalitsis, who captured the behavior on video, described the finding as unexpected, highlighting its role in the fish’s feeding strategies.
- Wainwright: “They take a mouthful of algae and move their jaws to pull it off the surface.”
- Mihalitsis: “For Zanclus, this adaptation relates to where they feed, whereas for surgeonfish, it’s about efficiency.”
The study sheds light on how specialized jaw movements contribute to the survival and dominance of reef fish in their ecosystems. Future research could explore whether similar adaptations exist in other marine species and their broader evolutionary implications.
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