How are the jaws and teeth structured on the Yellowtail Snapper, indicative of its diet?

Answer

Jaws are generally equal, featuring small teeth arranged in villiform bands

The snout structure and dentition provide strong clues regarding the Yellowtail Snapper's feeding ecology. The jaws are described as generally equal in length, meaning neither the upper nor the lower jaw significantly overhangs the other. Internally, the teeth are small and organized into villiform bands. This arrangement is well-suited for grasping and managing smaller prey items, such as various types of crustaceans, small fish, and worms found in their offshore habitats.

How are the jaws and teeth structured on the Yellowtail Snapper, indicative of its diet?
appearancesnapperfishcharacteristicYellowtail Snapper