Jaw Structure and Tooth Replacement in the Opaleye, Girella nigricans (Ayres) with Notes on Other Species

DURING ecologic and systematic studies on the percoid fish family Girellidae it became evident that the species Girella nigricans possesses jaw and tooth anatomy somewhat different from that known for any other teleost. A superficial view of the intact jaws of this species reveals that anterior premaxillary and dentary teeth form several diagonal rows extending lateroventrally away from the median symphyses of the jaws. In large specimens thirty or more teeth may be exposed on a single ramus of one jaw bone. These teeth are rather loosely attached and usually some appear to be in the process of being shed. The diagonal rows of teeth were found to continue beneath the tissue covering the anterior borders of the jaws. Dissection of the jaws and removal of the exposed and buried teeth revealed that none of these teeth are