What type of prey forms the staple diet exploited by Anarhichas dentition?
Answer
Hard-bodied invertebrates like crabs and sea urchins
The specialized, robust jaws and crushing dentition found in the genus Anarhichas have evolved under pressure to exploit a niche diet consisting almost exclusively of hard-shelled invertebrates. This includes prey items such as crabs, clams, and sea urchins. This extreme specialization means that if this specific food source declines locally, the Wolffish possesses limited ability to pivot to softer prey options compared to more generalist fish species, tying their survival closely to the health of benthic crustacean and mollusk populations.
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