Function of the pseudomaxillary fold in the mouth opening of the coelacanth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Latimeria chalumnae</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Yoshitaka Yabumoto Masamitu Iwata Yoshitaka Abe Teruya Uyeno |
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Institution: | (1) Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History, 2-4-1 Higashida, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu 805-0071, Japan;(2) Aquamarine Fukushima, 50 Tatsumi-cho, Onahama, Iwaki Fukushima, 971-8101, Japan;(3) 3-11-17 Takaido-nishi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-0071, Japan |
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Abstract: | The oral region of a coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, from the Comoro Islands, was examined in fresh condition, and the complex folding of the membrane between the lower jaw
and the skull, and a strut-like structure in the membrane were found. When the mouth opened, the pseudomaxillary folds covered
the lateral walls of the mouth. The movement of the membrane is inferred from the observation of the specimen. Coelacanths
developed a way of covering the lateral sides of mouth that is different from that of other fishes; especially the pseudomaxillary
fold above the strut is unique to coelacanths, but the pseudomaxillary fold below the strut is similar to the lower lip fold
of the lepidosirenoid lungfish. |
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Keywords: | |
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