What feature is absent from the White Sturgeon's specialized ventral mouth structure?
Answer
Teeth
The White Sturgeon is specialized for feeding on the bottom substrate, and its mouth morphology reflects this benthic lifestyle. Its mouth is located ventrally (on the underside of the head) and sub-terminally, situated behind the extended snout. Crucially, this species entirely lacks teeth. Instead of biting or chewing, it employs large, highly protrusible lips that it extends rapidly to create a powerful suction force, effectively vacuuming prey items—such as invertebrates—directly from the riverbed or seafloor. This vacuuming action is essential for its feeding strategy in often murky waters.
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