The article discusses the unique dental structure of the ratfish, also known as Cimarla or Ghost Shark, showcasing its distinctive tenaculum—a retractable rod with tooth-like protrusions located between its eyes. Unlike traditional teeth found in mouths, these “forehead teeth” offer a new understanding of tooth development in vertebrates.
Marine biologist Carly Cohen and her team studied the ratfish, focusing on the tenaculum’s growth and characteristics. They discovered that this structure contains a dental layer, which allows the ratfish to grow teeth outside its mouth, suggesting it may be the first vertebrate to do so. Their research also highlights the evolutionary history of teeth, linking current findings to ancient species.
Cohen emphasizes the flexibility of dental systems in vertebrates, urging a reevaluation of where and how teeth can develop, indicating that unforeseen dental adaptations may exist in other species. This study opens possibilities for future discoveries about teeth in unexpected areas throughout the animal kingdom.
Source link
