Eels imitate Alien
Fearsome fish have protruding jaws in their throats to grab prey.
Researchers studying one species of moray eels have uncovered a deadly secret that helps the snake-like fish to swallow their prey. Like the fearsome extraterrestrial from the sci-fi horror classic Alien, these real-life beasts have a second, extendable pair of jaws — encrusted with sharp teeth — that thrusts forward to ensnare hapless fish and shrimp.
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Comments
That was an interesting article, and I liked the video. As a diver I love eels and think they are quite an unique species. Thanks for adding more useless knowledge for my post dive hang out sessions. :)
Posted by: Gregg | September 5, 2007 10:37 PM
"Eels imitate Alien??"
Where have actual aliens been observed using pharyngeal jaws?
Posted by: Jack | September 6, 2007 02:15 PM
In my opinion a pretty poor title and comparison. Both scientifically and intelectually - I wouldnt wonder if the idea came from somebody who has recently been sacked from "The Daily Mirror". I pitty the authors of the actual Nature article (the tile by the way is "Raptorial jaws in the throat help moray eels swallow large prey") who would have deserved a much better promotion than the one presented here.
Posted by: Dirk Louis | September 7, 2007 02:07 PM
Umm, isn't actually that Alien imitated eels? Eels have been around since well before 1979.
Posted by: Ted to | September 10, 2007 05:49 PM
Interesting article. However, the phrase, "...but the eel's extendable jaws are the first throat jaws known to be adapted to help catch prey, rather than simply to help swallow it" gives me pause. The now extinct Mosasaur, the feared 40-foot long denizen of the inland sea of America also had the adaptation of pharyngeal jaws. There are many fossil Mosasaur head and jaw exhibits in museums throughout the world that clearly exhibit this feature. So the Moray Eel was not the first!
Posted by: bill | September 11, 2007 03:37 PM