What specialized physical feature do White Sturgeon use, situated near the mouth, to detect tactile signatures of buried prey?
Answer
Barbels.
The White Sturgeon's feeding strategy relies heavily on close-range sensory input due to its bottom-dwelling nature. Near the mouth, these fish possess specialized, whisker-like organs known as barbels. These structures are highly sensitive and serve a critical function in detection, specifically recognizing the subtle tactile signatures left by obscured or buried prey items in the substrate. By moving slowly along the bottom and using these barbels, the sturgeon can effectively map out the presence of food before using its specialized mouth to engulf the item.
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